Jun 23, 2020
Stonefort SDB Church Celebrates 149 Years
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only eight were in attendance at the Church’s 149th Annual Homecoming on May 16, 2020. There was no shortage of spirit and love as there was singing and praise reports during the service. Pastor Glenn Lewis brought the message and communion was held at the close of the service. Plans are now being made for next 3rd Sabbath in May to observe the 150th Homecoming. We are hoping and praying for people to come from far and near. Next year instead of elbow bumps we can give REAL hugs!
—Sue Bethel
Photo by Kim Bethel Buchanan
Verona SDB Bicentennial June 2020
The Verona Seventh Day Baptist Church celebrated its 200th anniversary on June 19 and 20, 2020.
The yearlong preparations began with the Verona Field Day parade in June of 2019. Pastor Steven James rode in the back of a 1930 Model A pickup truck to lead the delegation. They announced themselves with an anniversary banner, American flag, and Christian flag flying high, distributing candy and tracts as they marched along.
The anniversary committee and volunteers from the Men’s Fellowship made 200th anniversary plaques. These plaques were made from wood salvaged from the maple tree which was planted on the 100th anniversary. The Ladies Aid Society and the committee hosted a lasagna take-out dinner. The proceeds from the sale of the plaques and the dinner were used for expenses related to the 200th celebration.
The original celebration plans were revised due to COVID-19. A “drive in” style vesper service was held on Friday evening. The Facebook Live Sabbath morning worship included special recognition of the bicentennial anniversary.
An “in person” celebration will take place when it is appropriate to gather together. Stay tuned for the rescheduled celebration and plan to join the festivities commemorating 200 years of the Verona Seventh Day Baptist Church!
—Lois Davis
North Loup’s Parking Lot Worship
On Saturday, May 16, the North Loup Seventh Day Baptist Church conducted its first worship service in eleven weeks.
When the State of Nebraska issued Directed Health Measures concerning COVID-19 back in March, the church took them seriously. In an effort to protect the congregation, the weekly Saturday morning worship service was canceled. After almost three months of missing worship, the congregation was ready for something new.
Recently, the state’s regulations would have allowed a modified church service that included social distancing. However, the church building’s unique structure would have forced every person coming to worship to pass through the same narrow entrance. The congregation looked for another answer.
The answer was that the congregation came to worship but never got out of their cars. Out in the rain-soaked parking lot, drivers arranged their cars so that they could see the entrance door. At the regular 10:30 AM worship hour, they tuned their radios to the agreed frequency and began to worship together while staying safe in their vehicles. Pastor Scott Smith led a simple service that included recorded hymns, prayer and a lesson from the New Testament book of James.
—Pastor Scott Smith
