Orlando, Fla., RPC

Nathan Eshelman, pastor

The annual Night on the Town Dinner was held May 19 at Servando’s Restaurant in honor of our graduates: Jayna Kathryn (Bailey) Johnson, Mason Garrow, and James Joyner.

On June 3, the church sanctuary was filled with eager celebrants for the wedding ceremony of Joe Johnson and Jayna Bailey, with pastor Nathan Eshelman officiating. Reception and dinner followed in Winter Garden.

The Orlando RP Church is located in the Lake Eola Heights Historic District. The church recently received a special Garden of the Month recognition for the side entryway landscaping with beautiful flowering and tropical plants. Jason Mercado was instrumental in the landscaping. In addition, a number of improvements have been made to the property by the deacon board, including interior and exterior painting and the patching, re-tarring, and repainting of the church parking lot.

On June 12, two of four newly elected church officers—Mark Goerner, elder, and Paul Knuston, deacon—were ordained and installed into active service. The two remaining elected officers—Kevin Duffey and Alejandro “Alex” Ramirez (elders-elect)—will be ordained and installed at a later date. A celebratory luncheon followed the special service.

—Louise M. Turmenne, correspondent

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Sharon (Morning Sun, Iowa) RPC

Bryan Schneider, pastor

Sharon RPC celebrated its first 175 years in July. It was a weekend to remember thanks to the co-ordination of anniversary chairpersons Joe and Kathy Baird and the committee. Delicious meals were served. Photos were taken. Children sang. The entire congregation sang. Speakers spoke. And people reconnected and spent time in fellowship.

Guests arrived from Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Joe Baird gave a warm welcome to begin Saturday’s program. Chris Robb and Ben Turner led the congregation’s children in psalm singing. Pastor Bryan Schneider gave devotions, which emphasized the many generations of faithful people within this congregation. Jason Hutcheson, John Baird, and Louise Edgar Copeland shared memories of their growing years as a part of Sharon RPC. Terri Hutcheson gave a quick summary of historical highlights.

Sunday’s worship service included special guests. A meditation was given by Micah Ramsey, pas-tor of Eastvale RPC in Beaver Falls, Pa. The pastoral prayer was given by Dr. John Wiers, North Liberty, a faithful friend of the congregation. The sermon was given by Rev. Mark Robinson of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Following Sunday’s lunch, the group gathered for an afternoon psalm sing. The children of the congregation closed the celebration by serving root beer floats.

A couple of weeks prior to the anniversary celebration, the walls of Sharon RPC echoed with the joyful noise of many children. Over 60 students participated in our annual vacation Bible school. Pastor Schneider gave daily devotions and his wife, Olivia, was the director. Teachers were Marie Woodrow, Joy Falk (of Washington, Iowa, RPC), Eric Lambert, Denise Smuck, Sandy McElhinney, Terri Hutcheson, and Ben Turner. Music directors were Chris Robb and Ben Turner. Kitchen coordinators were Curt and Denise Hartleib. Crafts were coordinated by Jenn Mena and Chris Robb. Recreation was led by Mindy French, with help from Pastor Schneider. Others who helped with a variety of tasks were Laura, Benjamin, Sarah, and Essie Turner, John and Roselea Smith, River and Wyatt Mena, Dick Hoisington, Charlotte Lambert, and Trinity Dean.

Our VBS theme was missions; and, for our Friday evening program, we were honored by a visit from the Zac and Beth Smith family, missionaries to South Sudan. Zac spoke at the program and was gracious enough to stay for Sunday’s worship service, when he gave the sermon. Later, during the afternoon Chalk and Talk session, Zac discussed their work in South Sudan.

Just the week before, our congregation had a visit from another missionary of God’s Word. He, too, gave the sermon and later discussed his work in the Near East. It was truly an honor to have international missionaries take the time to visit and share their experiences with us.

God has richly blessed our small, country congregation with over 175 years in the community, with times of celebration and rich fellowship, with the opportunity to share the gospel with children, and in ways too numerous to count.

—Terri Hutcheson, correspondent