125th Anniversary
Matthew 28: 19 Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teach them everything I have told you.
On March 1, 2009, United Presbyterian Church celebrated 125 years as a church. The celebration continued throughout the entire year of 2009, with a central theme for each month and four special services marking occasions deemed significant in the church past, present, and future. A theme was chosen for focus each month.
March - Birthdays
April - United Presbyterian Women, Church Circles, and Easter
May - Confirmations
June - Weddings and Anniversaries
July - Vacation Bible School and Presbyterian Camp at Lake Okoboji
August - Junior Missionary, Youth Club, and Young Women's Society
September - Baptisms and Sunday School
October - Saints of the Church
November - Missions
December - Christmas Celebrations
The Four Special Services included:
March 1, 2009 - Marching Forward with Christ June 14, 2009 - Celebration of Weddings and Anniversaries October 3-4, 2009 - A Taste of Christianity/World Communion Sunday December 6, 2009 - Into the Future and Christmas Celebration
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March 1, 2009 - "Marching forward with Christ." Our year-long celebration began with Mr. Justin Asche, Applicant Lay Pastor, leading 134 members and friends in worship. The service began with the ringing of our church bell. Some of the history of the church was presented, the Sunday school children sang, plus additional special music was performed by former members. Fellowship continued after worship with lunch and birthday cake. 125 candles were lit to celebrate the church's history of 125 years of preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Goldfield community. The candles were enthusiastically blown out by the Sunday school children.
June 14, 2009 - "Celebration of Weddings and Anniversaries." Guest pastor was Rev. Ellen Brantley, who served the church from 1994 to 2003. 165 members and friends attended the worship service. The sanctuary was decorated with member's wedding gowns, and other wedding decor and flowers. Following the service, a mock wedding, and cutting of a wedding cake, was held with Ellen and Stuart Brantley as the bride and groom, and Reagan and Carter Goodell as junior bride and groom. This was followed by a wedding reception attended by 140 members and friends.
October 3 & 4, 2009 - " A Taste Of Christianity." The community was invited to participate in a sampling of dishes on Saturday evening from our first-ever cookbook. Recipes were prepared by 45 cooks. A devotional booklet, featuring devotions written by past and present members, was given to each family in attendance. On Sunday, 93 members and friends celebrated World Communion Sunday with Rev. Bill McConnelee (pastor of the church from 1973 to 1979) leading us in worship and communion. Following the service, fellowship continued with a homemade soup and bread lunch.
December 6, 2009 - "Into the Future and Christmas Celebration." Guest pastor for this celebration was Rev. David Feltman, General Presbyter of the Presbytery of North Central Iowa. The service began with 123 members and friends enjoying a beautiful cantata, "Candles & Carols" performed by the adult choir and voices from the community. Fellowship continued after the service with approximately 130 people enjoying a baked potato bar lunch.
A new pictorial directory was made in 2009, and each month in the newsletter and on the Fellowship Hall bulletin board, appeared historical memories, trivia of the past, and pictures and memories of the congregation.
During the year a beautiful brass ornament depicting the church and bell (pictured above) was made, and our first-ever cookbook, which also featured historical information and pictures, was published. These items were used for fundraising, and will both be treasured keepsakes.
Ornaments ($5.00 + postage), cookbooks ($10.00 + postage), and the devotional booklet (postage) are still available and may be purchased by contacting the church office.
Congratulations to the United Presbyterian Church for 125 years!
Into the future Draw near to God through thankfulness
Psalms 57:9-10
"I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; your failthfulness extends to the clouds."
It has been with a thankful heart that we have looked back at the history of this church. God's love is evident in all of the years that we have strived to do His will.
As we look forward to the future, let us think of the verse in Acts 16:5,
"So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily."
I am sure the next 125 years will have as many (or more) changes as the past 125 years. It is my prayer that we will reach out to each other, grow in prayer and be thankful as we are sent out to minister to those in need.
Prayer: Oh, God, you invite us to follow the examples of Jesus, the teacher. Let all of us support each other as we learn about our faith. With God's help we will learn and grow. Amen
Carol Ganzeveld
October 3, 2009
(Written by Carol Ganzeveld for devotional booklet)
