On Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and 30, members of the Jewell Christian Church celebrated the congregation’s 150th anniversary. The church was actually organized in February of 1873, with a membership of 21.
The celebration started on Saturday, at 5 p.m. with a Prayer Walk at Emerson Lake. The prayer time and devotions were based over the Lord’s Prayer. After the Prayer Walk, a meal of hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato chip, and brownies was provided for the members and guests.
Next was a sing-along of people’s favorite songs. Even the geese joined in on the sing-along. The youngsters all enjoyed playing on the play equipment and other games provided during the evening. There were 90 that attended the evening event.
Sunday morning started with coffee, rolls and fruit in the fellowship hall of the church from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. There were 48 who attended the time of fellowship.
Church services started at 10 a.m. with Laura Butts Walters playing the organ; a piano duet by Laura Walters and Susan Greene and the final prelude was by Laura Butts Walters on the piano. Rev. Daniels gave the welcome to the guests. Recognition of founding members families was given by Darrell Bohnert. He recognized Judy Gray Blackburn and her daughter, Nancy, who are from the Courtland area. Judy was a descendant of O. N. and Rosina Gray who were instrumental in starting the Jewell Christian Church. The Greene family was recognized next. They are descendants of charter member Mary Hann Rowe and Smith and Sarah Hann. The Greene family members recognized were Norman Greene, Steve Greene, Shirley Greene Upshulte, Scott Greene, Susan Greene Bean, Chelsey Greene, and Sadie and Kinley Greene.
Call to worship and Scripture reading were by Jensen Eilert. Opening prayer was by Jason Eilert. The children’s sermon was presented by Megan Young. Special music, a revolving piano duet of favorite gospel hymns was next and presented by Susan Greene, Becky Burgess, Judy Gibson, Stacey Delzeit, Jada Eilert, Gaye Daniels, Laura Butts Walters, and Joelle Nulf.
Comments from former pastors and special guests were given by the former ministers, Rex Miller and Donnie Paden, and missionary, Greg Ohrenberg of Pioneer Bible Translators. Cheryl Anderson, representing her husband, the Rev. Fred Anderson, spoke as Fred was involved in his church in Syracuse, Nebraska.
Giving their vision for the future of the church was Erica Bouton and Jessie Eilert.
Special music was “People Need the Lord” presented by the Christian Church choir. The special music was followed by a message from the Rev. Dan Daniels, followed by communion with the closing hymn of “Blest Be the Tie that Binds.”
A group picture was taken in front of the church right after the service by Bruce Barrett. There were 126 that attended the morning service.
Following the service and group picture, a dinner for members and guests was held at the Jewell Community Center. The meal consisted of smoked brisket, smoked chicken, potatoes, green beans, corn and rolls.
The reception followed the dinner. The reception table was decorated with a cake, baked and decorated to resemble the Christian Church. Marla Bohnert Koops of the Dispatch area made the cake and sheet cakes for the reception.
There was also a display of church memorabilia for the guests to view during the afternoon. The church was also open for tours.
The 150th anniversary committees were the steering committee of Carol Divel, Susan Greene, Sharon Tullar and Erika Bouton. The chairman of meals and reception was Deb Bohnert. The history-display was by Sharon Tullar, Scott Young and Erika Bouton. The invitation committee consisted of Carol Divel and Deanna Freeman. The Saturday evening food committee was Deb Bohnert, Steve Greene, Skylar Hager and Daryl and Becky Cockroft. The prayer walk committee consisted of the Rev. Dan Daniels and Bob and Deanna Freeman. Saturday evening games committee was Jessie Eilert, Jada Eilert, Judy Arsenault and Erika Bouton. Memory items committee was Shelby Bohnert, Darrica Hager and Stacey Delzeit.The Sunday meal committee was Deb Bohnert, Gaye Daniels, Hannah Daniels, Jeremy and Megan Nulf, and Karen Matteson. Deb Bohnert, Megan and Jeremy Nulf were the reception committee.
The Sunday morning rolls-coffee were served by Carol Divel, Sharon Tullar and Twila Means. The Sunday morning service and Saturday evening song service committee members were Susan Greene, Gaye Daniels, Dan Daniels and Megan Young. Publicity was taken care of by Shelby Bohnert, Darica Hager and Jessie Eilert. The picture video was assembled by Darica Hager. Damon Bohnert and Scott Young supervised the technology used at the church, lake and community center.
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