The verse that we have chosen to commemorate this special occasion is: 1 Samuel 7:12 12 Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it upright between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, explaining, “The Lord has helped us to this point.” In Hebrew, the word “Ebenezer” is a compound word: "Eben" means stone, and "Ezer" means help. So, Ebenezer literally means “Stone of Help.” When Samuel raises this stone, he is physically marking a moment in history where the people of God recognize that everything good that has happened — every victory, every act of mercy — was because of the Lord’s help. It is not a monument to human achievement but a testament to God’s grace.

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The Ebenezer stone was set up for the community, but it was meant to affect every individual heart. Each person in Israel could look at that stone and remember a personal moment of fear, repentance, or victory. In the same way, this anniversary is not just a church-wide celebration — it’s an invitation for every person to say, “God has helped me too — in my health, my marriage, my job, my faith, my pain.” It turns church history into personal testimony.

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From Ebenezer to Expectation: Finally, the beauty of this verse lies in its direction. “Till now” doesn’t just look back; it propels us forward. It helps us look forward. If God has helped us till now, then we can trust Him for what’s next. The Ebenezer stone becomes a springboard of faith. It says: “If He did it before, He can do it again.” As our church looks to the next decade, this verse becomes a rallying cry — a reason to dream bigger, believe deeper, and surrender more fully, because God is not done yet and you get to be a part of this! Friends, please join us for this celebratory occasion on Sunday October 12th, beginning at 11am, at the Forward Church Irvine campus, as we gather together to give God glory for a decade of grace.

I can’t wait to celebrate and worship with you!