On Sunday the 14th of November, Marietta First Presbyterian Church celebrated their 175th anniversary with a day of worship, music, food and thanksgiving to God. Psalm 78:3-4 provided the theme for the day: “What we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children: we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.” Following a call to worship by Executive Pastor, Rev. John Wells, a bagpiper led a procession of members with banners, special guests (the mayor among them) and former pastors.
Revs. Jim Speed, Denise Beltzner, and Keith Gunter shared a three part sermon focusing on God’s work in the congregation’s past, present and future. A new anthem, “God, Our Father, You Have Led Us” was commissioned (from T. Fettke) and presented magnificently by the choirs of the church. A new banner (seen in photo above) was also made to commemorate the day (banner by Cheryl Vanture Davenport, Suzanne Brooks Harvin, Rita Allgood Tubbs, Marian Michaels McClanahan; flagpole and stand by James Barrett McCloud, and Timothy Durel Nelson).
I was pleased to be able to bring greetings on behalf of the entire Presbytery at both services of worship. Following worship, I munched on treats and explored an amazing, museum-quality display of the church’s history (including recreations of the original log cabin church and the second “clapboard” facility).
Truly, God has richly blessed Marietta First, and through them, God has blessed the city of Marietta and Cherokee Presbytery.
Next week, we celebrate the third part of our Pregressive Thanksgiving, as we officially constitute Grace Presbyterian Church as a congregation of the PC(USA).
God is good — all the time!
Thoughts & Images from the Heart 