Zhongnan Theological Seminary held a Thanksgiving Celebration on the sinicization of Christianity.
Churchgoers entered the college chapel on November 24 only after taking personal precautions for epidemic control.
The Thanksgiving celebration was divided into two parts: the Thanksgiving service and separate performances. During the Thanksgiving worship, Rev. Zhang Shuilian, the executive vice-president, preached a sermon titled "The True Meaning of Gratitude", according to CCC&TSPM.
Rev. Zhu Zhiguo reviewed the journey of the seminary to the new campus, adding that the Chinese are a grateful people. He claimed the old saying, "A drop of grace should be repaid with a full spring of water." He expressed the hope that students would be grateful to their alma mater, parents, teachers, society, and all those who had aided them.
During the second segment, students expressed their gratitude for God, parents, and teachers with Chinese dances, choruses, sacred drama, poetry, and a Sanjuban(“three and a half sentences”, a type of Chinese free talk). Programs presented by the first-year group included: "Grateful Heart" and "Filial Piety". The second-year class performed “The Light of Life" and "An Ode to Joy". The third-year did "Doing and Not Doing" and "Whispering Hope". The final year performed "Happiness" and "Grateful for Your Existence”. The class of volunteers chose “Do Your Best to Glorify God" and "River of Life".
These performances demonstrated the students' artistic talents for song and dance while integrating traditional Chinese cultural elements into the Christian faith.
- Translated by Livingstones
