A Year and a month after fire damaged our
Sanctuary the Congregation and Community
gathered to rededicate the Sanctuary to the
glory and service of God. The worship service
was held at 3:00 O'clock in the afternoon
on Sunday, January 20, 2002. We followed
the order of worship for the
Dedication of a Church Building and Its Furnishings found in the
Book of Occasional Services for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) published
by Geneva Press.
The Service is supposed to begin with the
congregation and a commission from Presbytery
standing outside the church doors. However,
since it had just snowed, we graciously decided
to begin with the congregation already seated
and the Presbytery Commission waiting in
the Vestibule. The Presbytery Commission
was composed of the Rev. Brad Bradburn who
is our Presbytery Executive, the Rev. Heather
Sigler who is our Associate Presbyter for
Congregational Service, and the Rev. Joy
Kauffman who was the Moderator of the Presbytery
at that time. Quoting Psalm 118:19 Rev. Bradburn
knocked on the church doors and the Clerk
of Session, Pete House, opened the doors
inviting the Commission inside. Once they
had processed to the front of the sanctuary,
Mr. House handed the keys of the church to
Rev. Bradburn. This reminds us that the congregation
alone does not own the property. We are part
of the Presbytery and the Presbytery holds
the property in Trust for the good of the
church, the Presbytery, and the Denomination.
After the prayers of dedication, the Presbytery
Commission returned the keys to the Session
entrusting the congregation with the care
and upkeep of the property.
The Worship service included the dedication
of a new Pulpit Bible given to us by Trinity
Lutheran Church, a 6' Grand Piano that was
given by the Frymoyers, a new Church Organ,
and the Sanctuary itself. In recognition
of their service in guiding the rebuilding
project, Graham gave crosses made from roofing
nails from the original roof to the Rebuilding
Committee and to the Presbytery.
The service was filled with music. Our Organist,
Cheryl Booker, played the Organ and Nancy
Brothers, the organist for Trinity United
Methodist Church in Mifflin, played the piano.
Our choir, affectionately known as the Ding-A-Lings,
sang an anthem. And Michael Simpson, Orchestra
Director at Lincoln Park Academy in Ft. Pierce,
Florida, sang a solo and played a violin
solo.
The sermon was based on Joshua 24:14-18.
In this passage, after the Israelites had
conquered the promised land, they recalled
all that God had done for them while wondering
in the wilderness and concluded that they
would serve only God. Graham called on the
congregation to remember all that God had
done for them during the rebuilding: The
sanctuary was not destroyed, the insurance
paid for the rebuilding, and we ended up
with a better sanctuary, including padded
pews, new lights, a new sound system, and
air conditioning. Though there were occasional
disagreements about what should done, God
bound us together in his love and we were
able to work out our differences. Considering
all the ways that God showed his love for
the congregation, Graham challenged them
to recommit themselves to serving God alone.
Worship concluded with the Sacrament of Holy
Communion served by Graham and the Presbytery
Commission. After the service everyone was
invited back to the Fellowship hall for fellowship
and refreshments served by the Women of the
Church.
WE WANT TO THANK THOSE WHO GUIDED OUR REBUILDING
THE REBUILDING COMMITTEE - Bob Brandt, Trustee
and Chair of the Committee; Pete House, Session
Representative; and Rich Roush, Congregation
Representative
THE PEW COMMITTEE - Graham Fowler, Chair;
Dick Frymoyer; Wendy Hackenberger
THE CARPET COMMITTEE - Jack Musser, Chair;
Dick Watts; Cheryl Booker
THE BELL TOWER COMMITTEE Barry Scheirer,
Chair; Larry Booker; Sue Watts
THE MUSIC COMMITTEE - Ron Knouse, Chair;
Cheryl Booker; Barry Scheirer
WE ALSO WANT TO THANK ALL THE CHURCHES AND
INDIVIDUALS Who supported us with their gifts
to our Rebuilding Fund. Thanks to your generosity
we completed the rebuilding process debt
free. May God bless you for your generosity.
 There is one significant difference in the
sanctuary that most people notice as soon
as they enter the church. Before the fire
the front wall of the sanctuary was blank
except for 2 doors leading to the Education
Building. While the church was being rebuilt,
Barry Scheirer fashioned a 9' cross out of
timbers from the original roof. This cross
now hangs in the center of the front wall,
flanked on either side by stained glass windows
that had been removed when the Education
Building was built. Everyone agrees that
the Cross and the Stained Glass windows are
a meaningful addition to our worship space. |
More Pictures of the Rededication Service
