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Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Marietta, Pennsylvania |
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Anniversary Service from The Book of Worship, 1870 |
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On April 17, 2005, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church held an anniversary worship service using The Book of Worship, published in 1870, in Old Zion Church, the place in Marietta where Zion Lutheran has its roots.
Old Zion Church is still in use today for a variety of events, and it provided the congregation with an excellent opportunity to return to the place where the congregation officially began as a Lutheran Congregation 150 years ago. | |
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The doors of Old Zion Church opened once again to the Zion congregation at 10:00 am, and soon after that members and friends begain arriving to prepare for the service. |
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The altar and pulpit from the Walnut Street church, now on loan to the Marietta historical society, were arranged in the front of the nave along with the crosses, candles, torches, paraments, and other items from Zion Lutheran Church in preparation for the service. | |
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Because parking is limited in the immediate neighborhood of Old Zion Church, members were offered the opportunity to be transported there by bus from the current home of the congregation on River Road. Joe Portner assisted those wishing or needing transportation. |
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The organist from Zion Church, Paulette Fisher, was provided with an organ in the rear of the nave in preparation for the service.
The music for the liturgy was taken from the Book of Worship with tunes, published in 1880. (The text for the service was identical to the one found in the 1870 book.) | |
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Members and guests, under the supervision of usher Loretta Portner, were invited to sign the register prepared especially for this hostoric celebrative occasion, and most were excited by the opportunity to do so. |
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The congregation quickly assembled for the service ... | |
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... and eagerly awaited the opening procession. |
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The opening procession began promptly and the service was underway. Marty Moore, Nicole Styer, and Thomas Schatz served as acolytes for the service. | |
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The procession items were placed in their proper locations for the service. |
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Debbie Sagar, assisting minister for the morning service, read the Epistle Lesson. | |
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Pastor Cheryl Hoffman delivered the morning sermon on the Gospel Lesson for the day. This particular Sunday is known to many as Good Shepherd Sunday, so the sheep were an important part of the message., |
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Pastor Hoffman and Debbie prepared the communion meal and began that portion of the service. | |
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With Karen Sullivan assisting Debbie and Pastor Hoffman, all baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ had the opportunity to join in the communion meal, after which the service drew to a close.
Following the service members processed from Old Zion Church past the Walnut Street Church to Zion Lutheran Church on River Road.. |
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In the evening the public was invited to a concert presented by the Ephrata Cloister Chorus under the direction of Daryl Hollinger. | |
