It’s exciting and humbling to dedicate something to the Lord. May 1, 2021, was a special day for Idaho's Parma Seventh-day Adventist Church.
It's the day they burned the mortgage papers and celebrated 116 years in the Idaho Conference.
The new church building was lovingly built and paid for by many of its longtime members over the past 20 years. This congregation was one of the original churches that moved from the Upper Columbia Conference when the Idaho Conference was created in 1907.
The dedication weekend began with a communion service on Friday night. Sabbath morning welcomed many special speakers, including Steve McPherson, former Idaho Conference president, who provided the Sabbath School lesson. With a nod to nostalgia, the sermon was shared by Tim Gray, a district service pastor, who served as head pastor when the church was first built.
After a potluck meal, John Rogers, Idaho Conference vice president for finance, helped former local treasurer Bill Fields, burn the mortgage papers. A historical remembrance of church members was shared through a PowerPoint slideshow with many photos.
One member, Carol Huett, had several photo albums set out for members and guests to browse. The albums included photos from various activities of the church through the years.
Former pastors going back to the late 1970s include Denny Evans, Ron Stroud, Roger Bierwagen and Mike Baugher preceded Gray. Garey Gantz followed Gray. Michael Pearson is the current pastor, with volunteer associates Karen Pearson and Cheri Gatton. Pearson also pastors the Meridian Church.
Many members shared their memories and talents in song and praise during this high Sabbath. It was especially inspiring to be surrounded by replicas of God’s sanctuary, a ministry the Parma Church will share with others in years to come. Parma Church has strong roots, faithful families and a heart for mission. They thank the Lord for blessing their church so abundantly.
John Rogers watches as Bill Fields carefully burns the commemorative mortgage.
The handcrafted laver is part of the sanctuary furniture the Parma and Meridian churches commissioned.
(Back row, from left) Dave Gatton; Cheri Gatton, pastor; (front row, from left) Sharon McPherson; Steve McPherson, former Idaho Conference president; Karen and Michael Pearson, pastors; Lori Gray; and Tim Gray, former pastor.
The congregation was invited to surround the altar of incense as Michael Pearson, pastor, gave the dedication prayer.
Michael Pearson, pastor, shares about the Ark of the Covenant, another sanctuary piece commissioned by the Parma and Meridian churches.
John Rogers offers the dedicatory sermon.
A cake commemorating the mortgage burning and dedication was served at the potluck.
Carol Huett shared her photo albums of the church's activities through the years.
Tim Gray, former pastor, used a kite in his sermon "Might I But Fly."
Former pastor Tim Gray was the guest speaker for the worship service.
Michael Pearson, pastor, welcomed members and guests to the worship service.
Longtime member Alice Cantrell closes Sabbath School with prayer.
Steve McPherson, former Idaho Conference president, presented the Sabbath School lesson study against the background of the lampstand.
The lampstand is another piece of sanctuary furniture commissioned by the two churches.
Member Ben Purvis led the song service for Sabbath School.
