The most important part of the Rally Day and 250th anniversary celebration at Christ’s Church at Lowhill was the return of the pewter, altar elements of a communion set that dates back to 1769.

One plate has words inscribed “Before the Reformation, German in Weisenberg and Lowhill.”

Pastor Chris Cocca said the pieces had been stored in the New Tripoli Bank vault to be safe.

The items were donated by Weisenberg Lutheran Church in September 1769.

The church at that time was known as the Lowhill Reformed Church.

Following the display at Christ’s Church, the pieces will be on display at Lancaster Theological Seminary.

Cocca said this was the third building at Christ’s Church.

In the basement, the hand-hewn support logs are still serving their purpose, though they have been reinforced with a steel beam. One stone wall, also seen in the basement, is believed to be original to 1769 and is also serving its designated purpose, Cocca said.

He said Rally Day is new-member Sunday and six new members joined the church. Cocca welcomed everyone to God’s Place.

During children’s time, Cocca asked the youngsters if God made Nintendos.

They replied “No.”

Cocca said God made the earth, an incredible world. This was followed by the adult message from Genesis 1, 2 and 3. This will be followed by other books of the Bible in order. He did point out that when God made woman from Adam’s rib, it has been translated incorrectly and should read “from Adam’s side” when taken directly from the Hebrew.

A time capsule, paper and pens were on a table and the congregation was invited to write messages for future church members and put them in the time capsule for “sojourners of faith who can read them 25, 50 or 100 years from now.”

“It will be a message to the future and is planting seeds of faith,” said Cocca, adding welcoming new members is also a way of planting the seeds of faith.