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Parishioners celebrate 50th anniversary of Church of the Good Shepherd U.C.C.

Published October 05. 2021 04:21PM
by April Peterson apeterson@tnonline.com

A 50th anniversary is often marked with gold.

At Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, Alburtis, rock was the material of celebration as the congregation marked its mid-centennial at 135 Quarry Road, Alburtis, with scripture and song Sept. 12.

“I want you to consider our church as a house,” Rev. Dr. Matthew Gorkos said to his congregation.

“This house is built to last.”

The theme of building and foundation was referenced in hymns through words such as “They did not build in vain/who founded here a church” and special presentations such as the one provided by church member Charles Knerr who offered a history of the church from its early roots in settlement of the area in the 1730s to Oct. 17, 1971, the date of the service of dedication for the current building through Sept. 12.

Carol Knerr, of the 50th anniversary committee which organized the observance, described the Sept. 12 event as a service of celebration as well as connection.

“It is a time for people to reconnect,” Knerr said, noting the changes brought to churches by pandemic conditions. “This is the first time the choir is singing since the pandemic and the first social in a long, long time.”

The day included a service featuring the church choir and musicians and a proclamation presented by Dr. Bonnie Bates, conference minister of the Penn Northeast Conference of the United Church of Christ marking the anniversary.

Other highlights included a luncheon, a video presentation detailing the church building, its stained glass and other architectural features and additions to a time capsule originally placed within the church cornerstone in 1971.

Gorkos, who started his tenure at the church in September 2020, was made aware of the upcoming celebration early on, he said.

“This is a church that cares about the community,” Gorkos said.

The church takes its name from scripture; John 10:14.

“We must be about following the shepherd,” Bates said to the multi-generational congregation gathered.

“I think everything was wonderful and there is more fun to come including a social,” Knerr said after the service.

“We love our socials.”

Press Photos by April Peterson Parishioners gather to worship at Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ's 50th anniversary service at the church, 135 Quarry Road, Alburtis, Sept. 12.
Jeff Hartman, Paul Smith and Charles Knerr sing in the choir during the 50th anniversary celebration at Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, Alburtis, Sept. 12.
The church choir performs at the anniversary service Sept. 12. The performance was the first time members sang together since the start of the pandemic lock down in March 2020, according to Carol Knerr, a member of the anniversary committee.
The Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates, conference minister of the Penn Northeast Conference of the United Church of Christ, addresses the congregation during the 50th anniversary celebration.
Vocalist Sandie Smith and pianist Joanne Kressley perform the selection titled “Love Grows Here.”
The day's events include reopening the 1971 church cornerstone to add artifacts to a time capsule. The newly added artifacts reference the 50th anniversary celebration for future parishioners.
Rev. Dr. Matthew Gorkos blesses the cornerstone opened to include new artifacts of the 50th anniversary celebration.
Carol Knerr, a member of the 50th anniversary committee, paints this banner commemorating the day.
A reader board sign on the church campus announces the 50th anniversary celebration to passing motorists.