Celebration Service
~ Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of Brunswick Church of the Brethren ~
Sunday Evening, December 4
Final Entry
The worship service began at 7:00 p.m. with congregational singing led by our son-in-law Mark.
Both overflow rooms were full.
I understand that there were about 150 people there.
I only used the flash on my camera a few times, so most of these pictures will be a soft focus.
We sang a favorite song of Grace Miller’s to honor her memory. Grace was part of the original six couples who moved to Maine twenty-five years ago. Her husband, Donald, died from a heart attack while serving at the Brunswick Church. Grace moved back to Pennsylvania and went home to be with the Lord a few years ago.
We also sang Angela Gould’s favorite song. She passed away a few years ago after a battle with cancer. Her husband, Jim, continues to serve as a minister to the Brunswick church.
Dale Newcomer, a deacon at Brunswick Church and one of the original six couples was the MC for the evening.
Luke Bucker (minister at Heidelberg Church of the Brethren, near Myerstown, Pennsylvania) led in opening devotions.
Merle Bievenour, minister at Pleasant Hill Church of the Brethren, Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, gave the message.
For me this was an emotional highlight. This group consisted of young persons who are currently part of Brunswick Church of the Brethren. They are all twenty-five years old and younger. The two oldest were born the year the families moved to Maine.
Their first song “Jesus Loves Me This I Know” was quite emotional for me and the Myers, as it was sung in memory of Mark and Diane’s baby Elijah who died at the age of five months. That was eighteen years ago.
The group’s second song, My Jesus I Love Thee, was sung in memory of Donald Miller one of the original pastors who moved to Maine twenty-five years ago.
This group of young people sang several familiar songs while a short version of slides from the past twenty-five years was projected on the wall.
There were many precious memories.
Jim Gould, Brunswick Church minister, and one of the original six couples closed the service with some of his memories.
Before closing the service, he invited others to share their memories.
Mervin Keller, minister at Lewiston Church of the Brethren, shared some of his memories. He and the fellowship in Lewiston was our first church plant in Maine. If I remember correctly, that fellowship is thirty years old.
It had been a long, rewarding, and delightful day.
I was pleased to participate in the celebration, and pray that God will bless the churches in Maine with grace, wisdom, growth, and peace.