Account of the Celebration by the oldest member – Mrs. Frank Woodyard
The Liberty Center Church was filled to capacity by 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 29, 1996. More than 200 people sang their hearts out, then got acquainted and heard the message of our minister, the Rev. Jerry Avis-Rouse, after which dinner was served at the high school. The program was a miscellaneous one with several ministers and the district superintendent, the Rev. Luers. He is superintendent of the Creston district of which Liberty Center is one of 88 churches with 12,000 members. Phil Thompson and Velma Turner were leaders of the letters and photos from families made into a book. Velma called all of her former youth choir members (there were 15 of them) to the choir chairs and they repeated singing “Silent Night” as they did long ago. Phil told of the church history, Joan Bown and Jeanette Garner sang, and the Rev. Ron Haas, who was one of my Sunday school students, sang. Velma played the accordion, and several former ministers gave a short history of when they were here. They included the Revs. Glenn Lamb, Jim Paulsen, Howard Lord, Stanley Kennedy, Jerry Oliver and Bill Miller, and Jean Pocholke, widow of the Rev. Pocholke. Several were awarded flowers for various achievements. I won one for being the longest and oldest member of the church, and Gladys Hasting won one for being second longest and next oldest. [Source – Record Herald & Indianola Tribune]
Liberty Center Congregation Compiles Church History Book
Members of the Liberty Center United Methodist Church celebrated 125 years in the present church building and 140 years as a congregation on Sept. 29. Two hundred and twenty-five people signed the guest registry. The day began with a hymn sing led by the Rev. Jerry Avise-Rouse and Velma Turner. A special part of the hymn sing was “The Old Rugged Cross” as a tribute to Marvalee Easton Newman, who used to attend Sunday school and church in Liberty Center. The church bell was then rung as the prelude played, inviting anyone to come worship, give thanks, renew their faithfulness and rededicate themselves and the church. The service was led by Avise-Rouse and Becky King was the pianist for the worship service. Special music was by Phil Nash, who played “Amazing Grace” on his coronet accompanied by his sister, Kris, on the piano. Howard and Sue Tipton arranged this part of the worship service. At noon the group moved to the Southeast Warren School cafeteria for a lunch. The Rev. Stanley Kennedy returned thanks. The afternoon program back at the church began with a greeting by the Rev. Jerry Avise-Rouse. Marianne and Meghan Lester, mother and daughter, sang “Here I am Lord,” which Marianne dedicated to her father, Lyle S. Dunham. Following a hymn of praise and a litany of appreciation, Jonna Rath performed a piano solo, “Love Without End, Amen.” Greetings from Bishop Charles Jordan were read by the Rev. Charles Luers, superintendent of the Creston district of the United Methodist Church, and a certificate of recognition and congratulations was accepted by Daryl Becker, chairperson of the administrative council. Special awards were given to Gladys Hasting as the oldest continual member, Frances Woodyard as the oldest member, and Cole Becker as the youngest member, Winnie Hasting was recognized as the gum lady of the church, always consoling the young ones with a stick of gum. Ruth Ann Shupe, a former member and dedicated worker of the church, was recognized for her birthday on that day, and the congregation sang “Happy Birthday” to her. Daryl and Marian Becker were in charge of the special music for the afternoon program. Seven former pastors shared remembrances. They were Bill and Lois Miller, Glen and Merle Lamb, Jean Pacholke and daughter, Marsha Turnipseed, James and Judith Paulsen, Stanley and Ester Kennedy, Jerry and Carol Oliver and Howard Lord. Elbert and Kathryn Judkins of Orlano, California, Dick and Pat Judkins Gilliland of Fort Worth, Texas, Stan and Donna Hastings Oxenrider of Browntown, Wisconsin, Jay and Connie Tipton Renger of Rineyville, Kentucky, Darlene Thompson Weybright of Moline, Illinois, Roger and Kathy Thompson Cariey and family of Silvis, Illinois, Al and Wilma Rhoades Salvehi of Illinois, Lyndon Ferguson and fiancée Linda Waltz of Illinois, were honored for coming from the farthest distances. One of the highlights of the day was the history book of the church and community was ready for sale. Ruth Hess, Phil Thompson, Sue Tipton and Velma Turner were responsible for putting the book together, along with people of the church and community contributing family histories, stories, memories and pictures. Wanda Peterson was in charge of advertising. These are available by contacting Phil Thompson or Velma Turner. [Source – Record Herald & Indianola Tribune] |
