It gives me great joy to write to inform you that we, as the congregation of Downers Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church will be holding our first services in our newly renovated Sanctuary this coming Sabbath, September 26, 2009.
As you may know, we have been in a building project for the past several months, and while there have been challenges along the way, and yes, even obstacles, we have once again realized the faithfulness of God as He has given us wisdom and direction as we trusted Him.
There are many things happening here at Downers these days and we want you to be a part of it!
On behalf of the entire team of leadership here at the Downers Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church, I wanted to send this letter of invitation to you and your family to attend our special Church Dedication Service for this coming Sabbath, September 26, 2009 at 9:30 AM.
We want to be sure that we mark this occasion with the recognition worthy of such a milestone.
You’re invited to join us as we celebrate the special blessings of God and re-dedicate the church.
As the Pastor, I want you to know how honored I am to be here at this special time in the history of Downers Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church, yet I look with anticipation to even greater things in the future! The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jesus also made it very clear that He would build His church; Matthew 16:18 – And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
The local church provides the greatest avenue for encouragement and strength, as well as providing for much needed direction and guidance in these challenging days we live. The church is a wonderful oasis of peace in the midst of the trials and hardships that life offers.
Our speaker for this special day will be Elder Ken Denslow, President of the Illinois Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He will minister the Word, as well as conduct the Sanctuary Dedication.
We will be having a fellowship dinner following the service, and also hope that you would be able to join us for that. The menu will be Italian. Pasta, salad, bread, fruit and desert all will be served. You are welcome to bring something to add.
Let’s plan now to celebrate this momentous occasion together as the church building is rededicated to the glory of God this Sabbath.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 ” To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time”
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Joe Arner
Downers Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church
5524 Lee Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515
“A GREAT Place to be”!
Come join us! “Be Part Of It”
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It was just a few weeks ago that we were all won-dering when the renovation project would begin. Since then there have been tireless efforts to renovate the sanctuary and other areas of the Church. The building committee has been meeting on a regular ba-sis to continue follow-ing through with plans that were proposed at an earlier church busi-ness meeting. If you haven’t been by to see the work in pro-gress you should take the time to stop in on a week day. Each Sabbath is extra special as we continue worshiping God and witnessing Him work at the same time. For now we continue to meet in the church fellowship hall but have hopes of meeting in the new sanctuary by August 29. The upstairs bathrooms are near completion and down stairs is close behind. Thank you for your prayers and continued support of this special project. There is still much work to do, so stop by any time to help.
Looking Back at the Downers Grove Church
by Shirley Newton
For 80 men, women and children, there was, what shall we call it, a sense of adventure, a surge of the Seventh-day Adventist mission, right in Downers Grove, Illinois.
It was the 5th of November 1960 when a few members from the Hinsdale Church, and a few other surrounding churches, came to celebrate Sabbath in a little old stone church where sometimes the bees, which nested in the walls, joined the worshippers.
There was a vision for these Seventh-day Adventist Christians that it was surely a time to build a new church to serve the villages and towns between Hinsdale and Aurora.
Almost right away, new members came to join in this new fellowship of believers. The little stone church was becoming more crowded each week. But as each new week passed, everyone was so encouraged because as they looked about their new membership, they discovered all the talent that was needed for a vibrant mission-oriented church.
Indeed, only one year passed before the little stone church became just too small for the growing congregation. So the decision was made to find a new church home in a rented school auditorium that was nearby.
The enthusiastic and spirit-filled church continued to grow, but it was not always convenient moving chairs before and after Sabbath services. But these members were making plans, and, in addition, they were giving financially every week for a church of their own which they envisioned for the future
It would be in July of 1965, that the 4 ½ acres where this church now stands was purchased. Fund raising now began in earnest. The goal was close now, more than ever before, for their new home. The goal was in sight.
Trees and shrubbery were cleared, and 14 loads stone were hauled in. Each member volunteered where his or her skills would make a difference. Finally in the fall of 1967, the actual construction of this church, where we sit today, began. Can we put ourselves there to feel the sense of awe that those original members from the little stone church and the school auditorium must have felt at that moment?
In a few months, the building itself and the interior, much as you see it today, was complete.  The long anticipated day came on February 10, 1968, when 325 people gathered to worship in the Downers Grove Seventh-day Adventist church, located at Maple and Lee Avenues. That was 40 years ago.
It would be November 5, 1971, before this church was dedicated to the Lord and His work completely debt free.
It was the vision of a small group of servants for their Lord that would allow this Sanctuary to be built for those who, for the many years to come, would walk through the doors of this church.
And as one year follows another, it has continued to be the people who walk through the doors of this church who leave their footprints, their time, their effort, and their sacrifices to make this church all that it is today.
One of the largest commitments the church was to make came in 1984 when it was decided to use the Sabbath School rooms for a Church School.
Of course, the Lord blessed, and by 1990, there was a need for more classrooms and a larger Fellowship Hall. There were many meetings and several seasons of prayer before the membership committed itself to the indebtedness for the new construction.
But, following the vision of church members of years before, the band of members sacrificed financially; and the building as we see it today is debt free.
Men, women, and children have walked through the doors of this Downers Grove Church and they have left their footprints. They may have influenced the church membership as a whole, or they may have influenced only one person. But each one has made a contribution to the development and mission of this church where we now worship our Lord.
Throughout all the years, it has been the defining influence of the pastors who have served their God in this vineyard. Their voices have passed from one member onto another until they have all been co-mingled to give the Downers Grove Church the character and personality by which it is known today.
Since that day in November of 1960 when 80 people had a vision, there is still much of the work the Lord would have us to do.
So as members of the Family of God, wherever we worship, let us commit ourselves to continue to move forward with a vision to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and His soon coming.
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Church Reunion Worship |
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Church Reunion Potluck |
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Church Reunion Fellowship |
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PANEL DISCUSSION
Panel Members: Dr. John Baldwin, Pastor Raymond Plummer, Pastor Christopher Holland, Pastor Joseph Arner and Joe Sodora.
Panel Discussion 1 – Moderator: David Dye
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Panel Discussion 2 – Moderator: Affif Leonor
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More Pictures:
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Welcome to the 40th Reunion Celebration of the Downers Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church. We are very happy that you are with us today. This is a special Sabbath for all of us as we reunite with old friends and take opportunities to make new ones. We also want to give a special welcome to three of our former pastors, Elder John Baldwin, Elder Ray Plummer, and Elder Chris Holland and their wives.
Looking back it is hard to believe that time has passed so quickly. More than forty years ago a small band of people heard the call of God to begin a work in Downers Grove. After much prayer, faith, work, and an earnestness of heart, the church was organized on November 5, 1960. By the end of the fourth quarter of 1960 the church reported a total membership of 79 to the conference! Soon after, a new church was built and a church school was started. Today with God’s continued blessing the church has grown to 334 members and counting!
Within these walls people have given their hearts to Jesus, given their lives to each other, given their children to God, and laid their loved ones to rest in His arms. Within these walls we have found hope for each day and comfort through trials as we wait just a little while longer for Jesus to come and take us home to be with Him.
It is here that prayers have been made and prayers have been answered. It is here that the presence of God has been known and felt. It is here that we come together today to worship the Lord, to remember the past, to celebrate the present, and to look forward to that future day when we will all be reunited to never part again.
My prayer for us and you is that we will all be together with those we love on that great reunion day in heaven.
With Christian Love,
Pastor Joseph Arner, Tammy, Joelle, and Rachel
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Brief history of church (written by pastor C.L. Turner circa 1966). In addition, I included photo catalog of members of the Downers Grove church at the time. Included are original photos of the land before construction. (Download PDF file)
Continue reading about Brief history of church – Pastor Turner 1966
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