Церковь South Troy отметила 170-летие служения и объединила поколения через свидетельства веры

A lot of pastors have terrible Sunday afters. Mondays can be discouraging day for a pastor. I’ve had those Mondays when I’ve felt like a failure and question if God chose the right person for this ministry. On the other hand, Monday can be a day to continue to celebrate an important weekend and just soak in the wonder and glory that God displayed in his church on Sunday. ADVERTISEMENT This weekend at our church marked a significant milestone. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a milestone is “an important point in the progress or development of something: a very important event.” South Troy Church celebrated an important point in the progress of something great that God is doing. South Troy church celebrated 170 years of ministry. God showed up in so many ways. This pastor has been overwhelmed with emotion and thanksgiving, yet today at all the God things she experienced. Celebrating milestones is important to God, too. God instituted festivals and times of celebration throughout the Old Testament — the Feast of Booths, Passover and harvest festivals. We in the church seem to struggle with celebrating milestones. The Feast of Booths was seven days. Passover was weeklong as well. Most of the festivals in the Old Testament lasted for a week. All the people were to come together and remember the graciousness of God toward them and celebrate his continued goodness, forgiveness and to remember their history. They were to remember the past and look to the future. For example, the Festival of Booths, also known as the Festival of Shelters, was to remember the Jewish people’s time in the wilderness when they lived in temporary shelters and worshiped at the Tabernacle tent that went with them wherever they went. This past weekend I was amazed at what it truly means to be a part of something that has been around for 170 years. South Troy began in two small schoolhouses with two congregations in 1856. That was before the Civil War and even before Minnesota was a state. In 1880 it was determined that the congregation needed a building. One was purchased for $1,000, and South Troy moved to its present location in 1882. What an undertaking! Since that time there have been many changes, many ups and downs, many triumphs, and many failures, too. We see that in every congregation that has been around for any amount of time. Life changes and churches experience change, too. As long as the word of God is preached, the foundation of our faith, as Jesus' followers, never changes. Some things come full circle. I found it interesting in our history that a pastor in 1898 was active in the temperance movement in the United States. And now more150 years later this same church has a Celebrate Recovery group, helping people find healing from their hurts, hangups and habits. On Sunday we heard many testimonies from people young and old who had experienced God’s grace, redemption and power in their lives. We heard from those who went to church behind a sleigh and a team of horses, another recounted their old car with holes in the floorboard — and how their families made going to church a priority, no matter what the weather and inconvenience. It was amazing to hear their stories of God’s faithfulness to them, which began through the ministry of the church. These stories not only encouraged the older folks, but young people were encouraged and felt like they too were a part of something that God is blessing. Our stories of faith are important. David shared that in Psalm 40:3-5, “He (God) has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. … If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.” ADVERTISEMENT This isn’t only about the history of one church. This goes for of the church universal. Our faith history is important to remember and celebrate. When we celebrate all that God has done in our lives and in our churches, we are giving God the glory. Each story we hear encourages us. When we are sharing our story with others it will encourage them in their faith journey. You and I are to remember all that the Lord has done and celebrate. We have a new song to sing. Sing it out! Colleen Hoeft is the pastor of South Troy Wesleyan Church and Zumbro Valley Food Shelf in Zumbro Falls.