Celebration for Fathers

Father & Son Banquet (February, 1963)

Although recognition of Father's Day is celebrated in June, the Father & Son Banquet was held annually at the First E&R Church Fellowship Hall in February. The event was sponsored by the Men's Brotherhood, an organization which includes all men of the church. 

Celebration for Mothers

Mother & Daughter Banquet (May, 1963)

For many years, the annual Mother & Daughter Banquet was held in our Fellowship Hall. The event was sponsored by the Women's Guild, an organization which includes all women of the church. 

Oktoberfest!

      F&R Church is steeped in rich traditions, including delicious homemade food! Whether breaking bread in fellowship, catering joyful wedding receptions, comforting grieving families, providing meals for shut-ins and shelters, or contributing baked goods for fundraisers, the cooks of our church have earned a reputation in this community for their excellent skills in the kitchen.
      For many years we have celebrated our German heritage with an Octoberfest dinner. Open to the public, this is a full church effort involving all men, women & youth entailing months of planning. Selling tickets, preparing the feast, and dishing out hearty helpings. We welcome guests in our Fellowship Hall, seated to capacity. Items on the menu include bratwurst, sauerkraut, noodles, savory Black Forest and German Chocolate cakes...made with special ingredients, following specific directions according to traditional recipes handed down thru the generations.
     Banquets and special dinners are often held to raise proceeds for building projects, or outreach to causes beyond our walls. We also enjoy gathering together for the occasional breakfast or brunch simply for the opportunity to partake in good food and conversation. We do appreciate our kitchen crew!
     
     For the purposes of fund raising and commemoration, our congregation has published two cookbooks of favorite personal recipes submitted by members - 

"A Taste of Tradition" (c. 1997)  and our recent 150th Anniversary keepsake "Thyme for Celebration."

 



     We relish the memories and give thanks to God for His bountiful Blessings!

 

Kids Save the Christmas Tree




-Christmas Tree, 2011-

  

     In 1880, our thriving German congregation was gathering in the original building, holding both Sunday school and worship services in the cramped area. In order to save space, the Church Board voted not to place a Christmas tree in the crowded Sanctuary. However, the children held fast to their heritage adamantly demanding the German tradition of their beloved "Tannenbaum!" 
    This is an excerpt of an article written in The Lima Gazette (December, 1880), submitted by our fifth pastor Rev. John H. Stepler:

    "In the only German church in our city on Wayne Street, they have a flourishing Sabbath School. Of course its exercises are almost all in the German language, as they regard both as a duty and a privilege to keep and cherish the mother tongue. By doing so they keep unbroken the link that unites parents and children. 
     On last Saturday evening they had a most beautiful Christmas tree, and this was the more surprising, as there had been a disposition on the part of the Officers to let the matter go by default...But that was vetoed by the children. They wanted a Christmas tree and got a fine one. The exercises of the evening were of a most joyous and interesting character..."  

     Thanks to the innocent vision of those children, the Christmas tradition of the Tannenbaum still shines brightly in our Sanctuary.            
      

Attitude of Gratitude

     
     One of the many traditions at our Church has been the "Harvest Home" celebration, decorating the Sanctuary during the month of November until the Thanksgiving holiday, as a show of appreciation for    God's many Blessings. Placed upon the altar, displays represent the seasonal harvest and nowadays include miscellaneous items reminiscent of simpler times such as quilts, antique tools and home furnishings.    


- 1910 -

 

- 2011 -

      Our praise for this occasion can best be summed up in the words of the following hymn:   

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

Come, ye thankful people, come,

Raise the song of harvest home:

All is safely gathered in, 

Ere the winter storms begin;

God, our maker, doth provide

For our wants to be supplied:

Come to God's own temple, come, 

Raise the song of harvest home. 

                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                   Words: Henry Alford, 1844

                                                                                                   Music: George J. Elvey, 1858