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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