Ray Bell Groveville History 5
24/November/2024
GROVEVILLE PASTORS 1836 – 2024
Good morning. Before I get started, this will be like a show and tell today. I would like to thank Reverend Clifton and Reverend Vaneekhoven for allowing me to bring this message today. Also Elizabeth for playing a piano, for our choir singing, for Jon, who runs our equipment and for all of you.
On your calendar for the month of December, we have days that are marked for special events. December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked, 21st first day of winter, 24th Christmas Eve, 25th Christmas Day, and 31st New Year’s Eve. But there are three special days that are not marked on any calendar but mine.
One day is December 2. In 1836 this beautiful little church held Its first church service by Reverend Thomas G. Stewart, that was 188 years ago. He probably came in a buggy or horse back, wearing all black with a white shirt. Since then we’ve had 85 Pastors standing here in this pulpit.
Do you know how many sermons have been given in this church since 1836? Over 9,776. if each Pastor use 10 sheets of paper that would be 97,760 sheets or 195 rooms of paper and each dream is 2 inches thick. That would be 32 feet high! Imagine how many people from 1836 until today have walked through these doors and sat in these pews to hear their pastors preaching here.
So, when December 2, 2024, next Monday, comes around, think and pray that this church 188 years old must keep going. Remember this little church is the oldest continuing church in Hamilton Township. Be proud. This is because of all of you today.
In closing I will say “God bless you, God bless this beautiful church, and God bless the United States of America, where we still have churches and have the right to pray any place, and any time.“
Thank you all