Pequea Church Plans Anniversary Events

Jesse Bills, who has been the pastor of Pequea Evangelical Congregational (E.C.) Church for more than a year now, said the church has a busy fall planned. "We've got a lot going on," he noted.

The extra activity involves the church's 145th anniversary. Bills said planning started in earnest in August. "We saw it as an opportunity to celebrate the past and get excited about the future too," he said.

Observance of the anniversary will kick off with a community worship service on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. at the church, 5482 Old Philadelphia Pike, Gap. E.C. denominational leader Randy Sizemore will travel from the church's home offices in Myerstown to preach that day. His sermon, titled "Returning to Jerusalem," will focus on Acts 1:1-12. In addition to Pequea E.C. Church members, worshipers from nearby Mount Airy E.C. Church and Pequea Presbyterian Church will visit for a corporate worship service followed by a fellowship meal.

On Sunday, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m., a birthday bash will be held. Mike Sigman, pastor of Grace Community Church in Willow Street, where Bills serves as pastor of discipleship, will bring a short and encouraging message on the subject of partnership, and juggler Chris Ivey will entertain.

On Sunday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m., an old-fashioned hymn sing will be held. The special guest speaker will be Jeff Byerly, who grew up in nearby Cambridge. Bills explained that Byerly just retired from serving for more than 20 years at Bethesda E.C. Church in Schuylkill Haven. "He is a son of this congregation," said Bills, pointing out that Byerly came to faith at Pequea and was called to ministry from the church.

Bills noted that the Mount Airy congregation represents more than just a neighboring church. "Mount Airy is our mother church," he explained, noting that, prior to the founding of Pequea E.C. in the fall of 1877, a small group from Mount Airy began holding a Sunday school in an old schoolhouse in the area. "Eventually they started this church," said Bills.

Bills wants residents from the surrounding area to know that those who have been part of the church history are welcome to take part in the celebrations. "We are inviting retired pastors and anyone that has connections from the past to come out and join us," he said.

Regular Pequea E.C. Sunday services are held at 9 a.m. in person or by livestream at http://www.pcchurch.online or by searching for "Pequea Church of White Horse" on Facebook.