EAST JORDAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

22027 Polo Road                                                                   Sterling, Ill.

 

September 30, 1990,10:30

On the Occasion of the 125th Anniversary of East Jordan Church

 

Prelude

Call to Worship:

L:   The Lord reigns; let the people tremble!

The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise thy great and terrible name!

P:   Mighty King, lover of justice, thou has executed justice and righteousness in they people.

L:   Extol the Lord our God, and worship at his holy place. P:   For the Lord our God is holy! (from Psalm 99)

+Hymn "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord:#540

+Invocation (unison):

O Lord, Spirit of Truth and Wisdom: We seek your blessing here today; we shall never unlock the secrets of life until you reveal them.

We often doubt that you have a purpose for this world; we often think that much of life is accidental.

This morning give us the spiritual discernment to know that we are here for a purpose and that life is a challenge to know and honor you. Amen.

 

4 Gloria Patri

Scripture                                                                       Philippians 2:1-13

Concerns for Prayer and Silent Prayer Pastoral Prayer

Greetings and Announcements
Children's Sermon
Special Music
Sermon                             The Rev. Herb Grulke,

District Superintendent, DeKalb District

Offering:             (Our regular financial stewardship provides us the

opportunity to help with "Claiming the 21st Century," a fund in N. Ill. Conference which promotes the establishment of new churches in the Conference and helps small, strategically-located congregations obtain a "new lease on life.")

 

*Doxology and Prayer of Dedication

+Hymn "Forward Through the Ages" #555

+Benedieation:

L:   We are a forgiven people

P:   We are a redeemed people

L:   We are a servant people.

P:   We are a called people.

L:   Go in the confidence of the presence of the Lord.

P:   Amen.

+Postlude

 

 

125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

of

EAST JORDAN CHURCH

September 30, 1990

1:30 P.M.

Prelude

Acts of Praise                                                                  Rev. Tom Moe

*Hymn                                                                                          #186

Scripture Reading                                                           Rev. Teresa Schlub

Prayer                                                                          Rev. Barry Britton

Hymn                         "The Church's One Foundation"                      #545

(stanza's 1,2 & 5)

Scripture Text

Message                                                                      Rev. Russell Coats

Special Musical Presentation

Video Presentation

Greetings and Comments

*Hymn                          "Forward Through the Ages"                              #555

*Benediction                                                                      Rev. Bill Bryan

Immediately after the service, please join us in the Fellowship Hall for refreshments and a social hour.

Organist: Eleanor Koch Pianist Jennifer Koch

 

 

 

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A CONCISE HISTORY OF EAST JORDAN

CHURCH

Compiled in 1990

A community of worshipers began by nurturing one another's spiritual and moral needs by meeting together in homes and school houses. Some remembered the Fairview (Burger) and Talbott Schools as places where worship services were held in the early part of the 19th century. A group also met at the Unity School which may have been a part of this group. The first church building was constructed in the summer of 1866. It was dedicated in the fall as a Methodist Episcopal Church.

The church stood across the road and on the corner south of the present church. It derived its name from being situated on the east line of Jordan Township in rural Whiteside County. Being near the northwest comer of Lee County and southwest corner of Ogle County, it serves a congregation of people coming from several surrounding towns.

This first church was moved to the site from Palmyra Road and was referred to as the Union Church. That building was destroyed by a violent wind in 1875. One year later, the people felt the need to construct a new church building since worshipers were still strong in the faith. Many of these people came from a variety of church affiliations. That was the reasoning for the "Union Church", sometimes called the "White Church".

In the spring of 1877, plans were underway to build a church on land donated by Robert Anderson. The land was originally intended for use as the cemetery. Different denominations supplied ministers to preach to the congregation. Then, it seemed more and more of these visiting ministers were affiliated with the United Brethren. At this point in 1889, East Jordan Church became part of the United Brethren circuit. Membership was 25 and services were held every two weeks.

A period of growth followed. In 1903, it became necessary to expand the church to accommodate all the classes. A pump organ was acquired which developed the musical portion of worship and encouraged singing. A choir was formed

When the church was expanded, they excavated for a one-room basement, installed a furnace, and added an entryway. New carpeting, windows, seats, a pulpit and several classrooms were included among the improvements. On Dec. 27, 1903, the new addition was dedicated by Bishop William Bell. Sometime

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later, total excavation of the basement was made to provide even more classroom space.

During this rapid growth cycle, the L.S.S.A. was created and chartered. Alex Anderson was largely responsible for its formation. In 1897, the Loyal Sunday School Army began meeting in Anderson's home. An annual banquet was held with awards being presented for Sunday School attendance. Along with music and dinner, a speaker gave a message for the audience. A Sunday School student had to have 75 percent attendance for five years in addition to other requirements to gain entry into the Army.

Up until 1909, a Board of Trustees controlled the church property. But, on Jan. 27,1909, they deeded the property to the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. Membership stood at one hundred which people felt required the services of a full-time pastor. Th». annual conference appointed the Rev. J. A. King as the first full-time pastor to East Jordan Church.

The parsonage was built in 1913, one-fourth of a mile north of the church. Later that same fall the parsonage and bam were dedicated debt-free. A porch and new kitchen were added in 1960.

 

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The church continued to enjoy growth in its membership. The old electric plant was replaced with public utilities in the late thirties. An electric organ was purchased in 1947. Further additions and improvements were made as time went on. The people attributed this growth to the capabilities and dedication of its pastors. The faith of the congregation was also evident

Space is not available to list the laity who have served this church so valiantly. Organizations within the church have remained strong and willing. One of the strongest is the Sunday School. There are not many rural churches which can boast of five adult Sunday School classes. At least three persons taught Sunday School for 50 years at East Jordan Church—Alex Anderson, Ida Anderson and Alma Parks. Others were known to teach upward of 30 years. At one time, the enrollment of the Sunday School reached 232 members.

The United Bible Class has several members and is quite strong in their Bible study, beliefs and their faith.

The Signal Lights Class was organized in the fall of 1937. There were seven couples in attendance. Russell Higley was the teacher for 35 years. Since his passing, several of the class members take turns teaching. A class song, "Let the Signal Lights be Burning" was written to the tune of "Let the Lower Lights be Burning". It was sung at the class meetings held the first Friday of each month. The first meting was held at the home of Orville Deets, Larry's father. The Signal Lights may well be the most active class in the church today.

After World War II, the Signal Lights divided into two groups. The new class was named the Christianaires and celebrated 40 years as a group on June 10, 1985.

The Jordanaires Class was organized in 1958 at the home of Larry and Joyce Deets. It still meets regularly for class sessions and socials.

The Crossroad Crusaders Class was formed under the leadership of Rev. Barry Britton. Many young married couples joined this class, as well as young single persons. This group is now in the midst of raising their families. Therefore, a new class is being planned to accommodate those persons leaving high school but not yet involved in family demands.

East Jordan holds the oldest rural Boy Scout Charter in the United States. The Boy Scouts were organized here in 1915. Troop 74 was led for many years by Clarence Parks. Other Scout Masters have been Melvin Haak and Bob Richards. Those who have been assistant leaders were Jack Keegan, Ralph Shipley, Harold Sheaffer, Leonard Sheaffer, Jim Sheaffer, John Sheaffer and others.

In 1952, East Jordan celebrated its 75th anniversary. By that time 21 pastors

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had served 700 people during their time here. After 1947, the church was an Evangelical United Brethren due to a merger of the United Brethren and Evangelical denominational groups. Then, in 1968, that denomination merged with the United Methodist Church, becoming the United Methodist denomination. East Jordan, now a United Methodist Church, was served by John Smith as the pastor at the time.

 

In 1976, a pastoral change came simultaneously with a location change for the church. The church was moved across the road to a new foundation. The sanctuary was turned around with the altar being placed under the huge, beautiful stained glass window. Rev. Barry Britton became the pastor at the new location. The church is now standing on the third corner of the same intersection since 1865. Membership now stands at 200 people.

 

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Five gas furnaces were installed in the spring of 1990. The basement under the fellowship hall was finished off for Sunday School and Scout use.

The men's group was reorganized and chartered as The United Methodist Men in the mid-1980s. The United Methodist Women continue to met on a monthly basis. A Women's Bible Study Group formed and has met since 1983.

Those who have been engaged in vocational Christian Service from this church are Virginia Allison, Carolyn Higley, Kathy Sheaffer, Christine Sheaffer, Mary Joanne Peoples, Virginia Main, Mason Scholl and Russell Coats. It is fitting that on the occasion of 125 years of worship and faith, the church welcomes home Russell and Virginia Coats and their family as the current full-time pastor.

East Jordan proclaims the message of the Bible to a modern world. The members and friends of the church hold strongly to beliefs that have sustained their people for 125 years. The message is one of love, affirmation, forgiveness and peace. Without this spiritual fire people could have been driven apart by emotions of the world such as jealousy, competition and conflicts of many kinds. This church, with its devout people have always put God first, followed his commandments, and loved all persons, overcoming any worldly influences! There may well be a cheering section in heaven made up of members of East Jordan Church.

 

 

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