Sunday, August 5, 2001
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Sunday, August 5, 2001 |
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Ebenezer pastor comes full circle
By CAROLYN CARY
How does it work when a former coach turns principal, turns minister, eventually retires and returns to the field to minister to a church that is 120 years old? Quite well, if you check with Ebenezer United Methodist Church. The Rev. Charles Govenstein has been serving the congregation for five years and is looking forward to many more. Under his guidance a Vacation Bible School has been added after its absence for a few years, a fall festival now raises over $5,000 annually, and a perpetual cemetery fund is almost halfway to being completely self-sustaining. The white frame structure from the middle 1880s has seen a membership of a few believers meeting under a brush arbor to nearly 100 meeting each Sunday morning. It has grown from being a "second Sunday preaching" church to having its own every Sunday preaching. Beginning Aug. 20, a Bible study group will meet each Monday at 10 a.m. for group discussion. A handbook will be used that follows the current Sunday School lesson themes. Everyone is invited. A revival is planned for Aug. 12, 13 and 14. Beginning at 7 p.m., the Rev. Bob Kerr, North Fayette United Methodist, will preach the 12th and the Rev. Alton McEachern, Cornerstone United Methodist, will preach the other two days. A fellowship supper will begin at 6 p.m. on the 14th. The annual fall festival will be Saturday, Oct. 20, and is expected to once again raise at least $5,000. It will be disbursed to local needs and the cemetery fund. Church members enjoy a breakfast each third Sunday beginning at 9:30 a.m. Meeting in the fellowship hall, everyone stays together to hear a devotion and Billy Tate delivers the Sunday School lesson. Other Sunday School classes begin each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. with worship services beginning at 11 a.m. Choir rehearsal is each Wednesday at 6 p.m. and a fellowship supper is last Saturdays at 7 p.m. The men's club meets first Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and the United Methodist Women meet third Wednesdays at 7 p.m. The church is at 680 Ebenezer Church Road and can be reached at 770-631-0306 or 770-463-2100.
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