2009 readers:
Gannon Greene YES Andrew Hill YES Luke Crawford YES Don Rhoads YES Jeremy Beard YES Melissa Mueller YES Cindy Crawford YES Drew Snodgrass YES
2010: Luke Crawford YES Andrew Hill YES Jay Wessler YES Amanda Lynn YES Angi Phelps YES Merle B YES Connie Stinson YES
Thanks to Maxine Crawford, Todd Burrus, Connie & Rick Stinson, Wes Hendricker, Jay Wessler, Faye and Ron Kershaw, Esther Elliot,
Precious Memories Andy Phelps Merle B Rhoads Crawfords Wessler Mueller Beards Lynns Langley Huey Pastor Tim Karol Hill Andrew Hill
Write: Kershaws Farmers Esther Connie Stinson Jim Lynn’s
Esther, Faye, Ron, Gene, Sue, Vicki, Jim, the Lynn girls, Beth, Connie, Andy, Merle, Jodi, Don, Judy, Mike, Cindy, Maxine, Janette, Don, Teresa, Tim, Mrs. Tim, Karol, Andrew, Luke, Jay, Shelley, Melissa, Delbert, David, Susan, Angie, and all ships at sea:
Once again this Easter we're putting together a sunrise service composed of memories of our congregation...I'm writing to ask you to do a bit of thinking and then please send me your recollections. The theme of the program is Precious Memories. I'd like you to take some time to think of specific moments in church services that are especially memorable to you. These need not have happened in the Arenzville church, but rather any service you've ever attended...from your childhood or as recent as last week. Think of times when God seemed especially present. ..close. And of course some of us have memories of events that stuck with us because they were out of the ordinary...humorous. I'd like your thoughts on either or both of these topics. And believe me, you can't write too much. I'll edit it down to a script that we'll present on Easter morning. And even though Easter may seem a long time away, by the time people think, respond, the script is edited and rehearsed, the event will soon be upon us. Thanks in advance for your thought and effort on this..
In Him... Ken
The minister would ask if anyone had a testimony and we weren’t always used to doing this. Then Bea Plunkett would stand up and you could hear a pin drop. She spoke softly but with authority. No one in our congregation had suffered the trials that this lady had, but her testimony was always to the love of God..the grace of God. Then she’d sit down. No matter what happened after that, it was Bea’s words and love of the Lord that always stuck with you.
I was in a Pentecostal gathering of some sort…not a large crowd, but they were very spirit filled. A former football coach from Decatur was speaking that night and we were in the middle of a song. Suddenly the lady in the chair ahead of me slumped over. Then she fell to the floor. The man near her checked her pulse. “She dead,” he said. Then without any fanfare, all those around her laid hands on her and began to pray. Pretty soon she sat up. I’m not kidding. She sat up, stood up, and joined in the song that had never stopped all the time she was dead. I don’t explain these things, I just tell them.
It was our church’s first Lay Witness Mission. Somebody forced me to come. It was the first time in my life that I’d heard common, every-day lay people stand up and tell what Christ had done in their lives. I’ve never been the same since.
Applause was not allowed in our church. I mean, there was no official announcement of this…you just didn’t do it. But I was a little kid and didn’t know any better. A high school boy got up and played “The Holy City” on his trumpet. It was awesome, and when he was done I broke into applause. I was the only one. Everybody stared at me…at least I felt like they were staring at me. Then my mother didn’t the nicest thing she’s ever done for me…she started applauding too. Then everybody did.
It never fails. I don’t want to go to church. I feel lousy. I just don’t feel like being with God that day. Then I make myself go. …and something happens. Something always happens. The very days I don’t feel like going are the days I must.
MAXINE: April 22, 1945 I was baptized, and publicly confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my life, and was received into full membership of the Concord Methodist Church. It was a very moving experience for me, and I became well aware of all Jesus had done for me by hanging on that cross with those large nails driven into his wrist, and into His tied together feet. The entire event made enough impression on me that I remember it well to this day, some 60 years later. The Pastors name was Nelson Chasteen, he and his wife are long dead, but our families stayed in touch, and I'm still connected with their 3 children. Two live in Ohio, and one in California. 4 years later my parents and I moved our membership to AUMC, and I have been there ever since.
However, some 14 years later, at a revival, again at the Concord Methodist Church, I felt compelled to, once again, go to the Altar, and confess my sins, and accept Christ as my Savior. This compelling was beyond my control, as I myself did not want to go, but there was this strong force which would not let me rest until I had done it. I always figured that was the Holy Spirit urging me, and that particular night this force was very very strong. Sometimes the Holy Spirit can be strong, other times its that still small voice.
Since that time I have grown in the knowledge of God's plan of Saving Grace, for me, through Bible Study, hearing of others experiences with the Living Lord, and hearing the Word preached. These days I rest assured when I'm no longer at home in this earthly body, I will be at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5: 6-8.
I enjoy many of the old traditional Hymns. I remember as I drove home from Passavant Hospital after my Mother died in June 1998, the song "Victory In Jesus ", was running through my head, and I thought, that's it Lord, Mom has Victory in You, Thank you Lord. It seemed the Holy Spirit brought that song to my conscious mind. It was a comfort to me at that moment, and as a result we did sing that song at her Memorial Service. To this day, some 12 years later, hearing that song brings a sweet calming peace over me. Praise God from whom all Blessings flow.
I felt the nearness of God at the Birth of each of our children. I do think birth, and death are times when we feel the presence of the Living Lord. It seems we are nearer to Him then. I had that same feeling when I learned of the birth of each of our Grandchildren, and my Great Grandchildren. They are all gifts from our Maker. In every case the 1st time I held each of them in my arms I ask the Lord to Bless them all their days.
I'm grateful for all the Blessings He bestows on me daily in the form of a wonderful family, and good friends, all the creature comforts, & decent health he blesses me with. God is good, and I could not make it without Him, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Thank You Lord.
Easter is such a wonderful time in the Church, because we are reminded of all Our Lord has done for us. Sure I enjoy the new dress, or special Easter clothes, but the time and date mean so much more to me. Especially as I draw nearer to being with Him for ever more.
Jay: One of my first memories of Sunday School takes me back to a basement full of kids singing, "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down my heart...." under the direction of Gert Phelps, I might add.
Three years of confirmation class. Three years and I was the only one in the class. Three years, just Martin Luther, Louie Knief and me. It was torture. Nothing wrong with Louie and nothing wrong with God, but me…I was 11 and 12 and 13 years old and wanted to be anywhere in the world other than in confirmation class every Wednesday after school. My kids took Methodist confirmation and they covered the entire history of the church in a month. For me it was three years…me, Louie Knief and Martin Luther.
Wes: I was on a mission team to the Jacksonville prison and it was freezing. We were in a flimsy tent and the wind was really whipping. They handed me a cup of coffee but my hands were shaking so badly I could barely get the cup to my lips. Then one of the inmates took of his gloves and said, “Here brother.” I don’t know how much the guy had in his life, but he gave me one of his most valuable possessions. Then the young minister from Quincy got up to preach and suddenly the wind stopped. I mean it stopped dead and the warmth of God’s presence filled that little tent.
Todd: Tom Ewalt was very sick and didn’t have long to live. He hadn’t been to church in a long time but I think it was Jessica Meyer who organized a mime dance for Easter Sunrise Service and Tom’s daughter Tonya was to dance in it. Tom showed up, sick as he was. I remember they danced to the song “I Can Only Imagine.” Recently I was driving back from somewhere and “I Can Only Imagine” came on the radio. I had to stop and pull over.
My friend gave his life to Christ one night as we both sat around a campfire. It was just he and I. He said that for years he’d sat in church and declined communion because he was never really convinced, and now that he’d given his heart to Christ he was desperate to receive communion. I don’t think it followed the prescribed Methodist way, but it may have been the first time in the history of the church where Dr. Pepper and Twinkies substituted for wine and bread…but believe me, that communion by the fire with tiny cups and plastic wrappers was the most authentic communion I’ve taken in my life.
The church we were visiting was really back in the sticks. They had no indoor toilet..in fact, no running water in the church. No pads in the pews and the pulpit was made of two by fours. I was sitting there wondering how far to the nearest restroom when it came time for the sermon. The old preacher stood in front of us, pushed a button and a computer screen lowered from the ceiling as he gave his entire lesson as a PowerPoint presentation. I guess they had their priorities pretty much right.
This really wasn’t a church service, but I was on a mission team visiting a church for the weekend. We stayed in the homes of the congregation. My chosen home was way back in the sticks…a new log home, but very remote and these people believed in keeping animals …everywhere. Since they had guests they thought they’d locked up most of their pets, but they forgot something. At about 1:30 in the morning I felt something on my stomach. I opened my eyes to see their 30-pound pet coon sitting on top of me.
We were at a church in Rochester and they were having a healing service. An autistic boy was sitting in the front row. He spent the weekend sitting there, rocking back and forth, and mumbling words no one could understand. The minister, I remember, was a very tall man..I mean, maybe six foot eight or nine. In the middle of the healing service he suddenly went down. He crashed to the floor. The autistic boy got up from his seat, put his hands on the minister’s forehead and began praying in perfect English. The preacher got up and continued the service while the boy took his seat again and continued to rock and mumble.
Cindy: Hearing from you........just another reminder-spring is coming! A few weeks ago, Luke and his little sister, Elly [18 yrs. younger] took up the offering together. It warmed my heart to see them side by side....at the alter. Thanks, God! When God's house feels so good , my grandsons dance in the aisles. When God's house feels so good , my 3 year old grandsons dance in the aisles. Church is a place where I can share joys..... - concerns like when .I was having a baby at 39! I remember the day Mike made the announcement. I cried. But I also saw God's confirmation in all the smiles and words of encouragement from the congregation. It was such a sweet homecoming after I had that baby and brought her to church for the first time..... God knew what He was doing! Just a few thoughts. I do not know if they are what you are looking for or not. Thanks for doing this really cool service.
Connie Stinson: I remember by grandma always telling us the story of Christmas and the importance of the nativity, especially Baby Jesus. So I can think her that I wanted to pass it on. I decided to give a nativity set as a wedding gift. My husband, Rick, made the manger with his wonderful carpentry skills. I bought the Nativity set. When I got ready to wrap the gift I wanted to put the nativity set in the manger to save on space. Each piece of the nativity that was wrapped in plastic and surrounded by Styrofoam, you know the stuff that stick to everything. So I deiced to get a the vacuum out and suck up the foam. I did each piece individually to get the foam off, when I came to Baby Jesus. I sucked Him up and he got stuck in the hose. You can’t have nativity without Baby Jesus. What was I to do? I shook the hose, no Baby Jesus. I turned the hose backward to blow instead of suck, still no baby Jesus. I did not want to break Baby Jesus so I wanted to be careful. Finally after several stamps, shaking carefully, baby Jesus came out of the vacuums. He was slightly dirty but fully intact, no limbs broken! I gave Baby Jesus a bath and placed him in the manger. I wrapped the gift and when the wedding came and we gave the gift to my niece and her new husband, I told them the story and it became a family story to pass on. We should always pass on the story of Jesus. Faye: The first memory I have of our church was the first time I attended here. It was a Lenten service in 1972. I was sitting close to the front on the piano side…I didn’t know why… and it was during the “testimonial time.” Yes, that was what it was called. I herd a lady behind me give hers and I thought to myself she sounds like an angle. I don’t really remember what she said, but I do know I sense the Holy Spirit in what she was sharing. I learned it was Reverend Redmond’s wife. I left the service and pondered what I had experienced and prayerfully that spring and summer sought the Lord’s guidance about a church change. Erly that fall our family started attending. There was a pastoral change that summer, I didn’t get to hear Reverend Redmond preach other than that Lenten serve. When we began attending regularly I can remember thinking that there was a church in my own back yard that wasn’t much different than the ones I had attended.
Our church was involved in a Bill Glass Evangelistic Crusade at the Bowl in Jacksonville. Our family attended every evening. My husband ushered and our older daughter went forward to give her heart to the Lord. WE had good participation from our congregation and lives were touched and changed. It was a Billy Graham type crusade with a choir, special music and fervent preaching and of course the altar call.
In March of 1991 our church sponsored the Bull Bramlett evangelistic crusade at Triopia. The services had great special music under the guidance of Ken Bradbury. We had a great participation with the area churches including our own Missouri Lutheran Synod church. Even though Bull had been a professional football player, he came to preach the gospel and has a burden for lost souls. I had never seen an evangelist who during the altar call went to each one personally and asked if you were ready to meet the Lord or do you personally know Jesus.
Some of my most memorable church services have been with my sister at a Baptist Church in Phoenix. Many times the highlight of my visit with her would gbe worshipping with her. I could always sense the presence of the Holy Spirit when I walked into the sanctuary. We would sing the praise choruses from the overhead projector on the wall with beautiful scenery. my brother in law would always refuse to sing the choruses. He wanted to hymns form the hymnal. Occasionally they would mix choruses and hymns and he would still refuse to sing…I would poke him and remind him that it was a hymn and he was a singer. We had many discussion about the music “war.” Their church sponsored a missionary who is a cousin to one of the missionaries we sponsor. It’s the only church that I have attended that when it is time for the offering the worship leader would say that if you were a visitor not to feel obligated to contribute. They expect their members only to support the church… Prescott, the Grand Canyon, the deserts, the shopping malls, the Phoenix Suns games..never compared to the church services.
I’ve had many memories of special music services Lay Witness Missions, special services, children’s sermons, but for me having my grandchildren baptized here and attending weekly with generations and going to the altar rail together is so special to me.
Lucerne, Switzerland…22 people in my small hotel room holding a prayer service. Our communion was a bottle of wine I’d won in a trivia quiz that morning and some bread stolen from our fondue restaurant. But it must have been legal..that night our British tour guide gave his life to Christ.
I was visiting a church in Winchester and when I came in, the lady greeting at the door said, “Sit anywhere you want, but don’t sit near the organ. My sister’s the organist.” I thought that was strange, but by the time I got to my seat the only seats left were near the organ. I found out why people avoided that spot. The organist would talk to herself and talk to the organ when she played. She wasn’t crazy or anything, she just liked to comment on what was going on.
Esther: Two memorable service A couple of church serves, let us take a view A church packed attendance at one and the other just a few. All denominations were represented in the larger group, And just the United Methodists in the smaller troop. The hearts were warm and the faces aglow in each meeting, And the number attending had nothing to do with the seating. One consisted of three hours of anointed music galore, The other featured a guest minister anointed with God’s word and more. A few differences in the two services one can see, But the important essential remaining for you and me. I was so refreshed, renewed, and strengthened in each one, And I certainly felt the presence of God, His Holy Spirit, and the Son.
Tim Rhoads Precious memories.
1. It was a Communion Sunday and the oldest couple in the church came forward. They had been married for over 60 years. Though they were old, she kept flowers that would rival a botanical garden and his family could not keep him from goinig out to the farm for a couple of hours every day. They were both able to kneel at the rail for Communion and as they did, I noticed that they were holding hands. I thought "wow." To be married for all those years and still holding hands when they shard in Communion. Sometimes love is forever.
2. As a teenager I took part in a Community Sunrise Service. The organizers wanted youth to be ushers. So I agreed. My plan was to take part in the service, then go home and sleep before my church's service. When the service was done, I went home, ate breakfast and found that I wasn't tired. So I didn't try to sleep. There were so many at my church that day that my family had to sit up front--yes, that dreaded location where everyone in the church can see you. I was fine until about half-way through the service. Then I started to get drousy. I remember my head nodding and my sister poking me in the side and what a struggle it was to stay awake for the rest of the service. In all my life as a church goer, that is the only time I ever struggled to stay awake--on Easter Sunday.
3. One Sunday I attended a church that had a new Pastor. Apparently he had come from a church where the congregation stood everytime they sang. His new congregation liked to sit for some of the hymns and some kindly people told him so. So the next Sunday, when they came to the second hymn, the new Pastor made a deal out of telling the people that they would now sit for some of the hymns, as was their tradition and they should sit down for this hymn. Guess what the hymn was? "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus." Needless-to-say there were a few smiles and an embarrased Pastor.
Rick’s mouse on the cross story G’ma and G’pa…Holy Rollers
Jesus in chair Mike Crawford..window