EDMOND—Thousands of spiritual brothers and sisters around the globe celebrated the 26th anniversary of the Philadelphia Church of God at Sabbath services on December 5. The actual anniversary arrived two days later, on December 7. Through powerful messages, engaging conversation, commemorative displays and even creative cakes, they marked another milestone for a Church that began in the smallest way.

Pastor General Gerald Flurry delivered the sermon in Edmond after a video presentation about Dr. Eilat Mazar’s recent discovery of King Hezekiah’s seal in Jerusalem. He said this seal says “Behold your God” more than any other artifact that the Church has helped uncover. He also explained why he now believes King Hezekiah repented after he turned from God. The entire service will be played as a video in all congregations on December 12.

After services, hundreds of brethren convened on the Armstrong Auditorium balcony for a short photo shoot of the original 12 members still living in Edmond: Mr. Gerald Flurry, Mrs. Laura Turgeon, Mrs. Helen Amos and Ethan Amos. The Herbert W. Armstrong College sophomore Home Economics class then served goodies to the convivial crowd. Around the same time, British brethren on the Edstone sister campus were celebrating with a bonfire.

In Hammond, Louisiana, members chatted and feasted on cake around a table decorated with foundational Church literature written by Herbert W. Armstrong and Mr. Flurry. “I feel very privileged to have participated in another year of God’s Work,” member Gordon Amy said. “Another year closer to the return of Jesus Christ to fix mankind and all his problems—very humbling indeed.”

In Sydney, Australia, members shared a key-shaped carrot cake inscribed with the words “He Who Has the Key of David” in purple icing and lined with tiny edible bullae to memorialize the discovery of King Hezekiah’s seal.

“I can feel the urgency and the trials intensify as this age comes to a close,” Sydney member Donna King said.

In Pittsboro, North Carolina, Local Elder Larry Graham presented a sermonette with a detailed timeline of events immediately succeeding Mr. Flurry’s firing from the Worldwide Church of God on Dec. 7, 1989, at the church headquarters in Pasadena, California. Members enjoyed the monthly potluck meal and a cake provided by member Heather Fuhrman representing a Bible, a purple-and-gold crown, and copies of Mystery of the Ages and Malachi’s Message—all edible, minus the crown.

“Mr. Flurry said at the Feast that to understand all that has happened, you have to go back to the beginning, and that applies to knowing about the court case battle for Mystery of the Ages,” Pittsboro single Rishanna Cheek said. “[H]aving been in the pcg since 2003 when I was 8, I’m blessed to be a part of another year of history.”

Purple and gold filled the meeting hall where the Cincinnati-Dayton, Ohio, congregation gathered for Sabbath services. “It was an honor to celebrate another year with the congregation my family has been a part of for 19 years,” member Leah Witt said. “It’s wonderful to see how the Work has grown over the years and to share in the beautiful future we all have to look forward to.”