Ireton 125th Celebration

Community Church Service

Sunday June 17, 2007

On Sunday, June 17, Ireton "ushered in" its 125th birthday celebration with a community worship service in the City Park.  Residents and visitors stopped their preparations for the 125th to thank God for all of the blessings He has given Ireton over the last 125 years.

Prior to the service, attendees enjoyed a fellowship time with coffee, juice, rolls and doughnuts and enjoyed listening to special music by the Christian Reformed Church Mixed Chorus, Dean Endrulat, Kelsey Postma and Maxine Barents.

Ardis Eilts, resident historian, reminded the crowd that Ireton has always been a community of churches.  When pioneers came to the area in the early 1870's, they worshiped in each others homes.  Over the years, a number of churches were built in the town of Ireton including the Ireton Methodist Church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, United Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church, First Reformed Church and Christian Reformed Church.  Although they did not build a structure, the Quakers also met in Ireton.  In addition, a number of churches were formed in the rural areas surrounding the town, including the German Baptist Church (Dunkard) in northern Plymouth County, Rock River Lutheran Church and Mt. Joy Lutheran Church in the Highland Settlement about 6 miles northwest of Ireton, the Evansville Church (Methodist) north of Craig and St. John's Lutheran Church (about 4 miles southeast of Ireton) which is still in operation today.

Marv Schmidt led the gathered worshipers in the opening prayer.

Pastor Doug Van Aartsen of the First Reformed Church opened the service with Psalm 23 and a message on "A God Who Was Faithful" through all of the town's history.  The congregation joined in singing "Amazing Grace".

Pastor Tim Walker of the Ireton Methodist Church focused on Psalm 46 and gave his thoughts on " A God Who Is Faithful".  After the congregation joined in singing "Pass It On" and an offertory prayer, an offering was taken.  The offering will be used for the Ireton churches' joint project to paint local houses.  As an offertory, Kenyon Gradert played a "Wonderful Grace Medley" on the alto saxophone accompanied by Shirley Ten Napel and assisted by his brother Kameron.

Pastor Norlyn Van Beek of the Christian Reformed Church concluded the service with Psalm 48 and a message on a "God Who Will Be Faithful".  The congregation closed the service by singing a Medley focusing  on "You Are My All In All" accompanied by the CRC Praise Team followed by the benediction.

Special thanks to Doug and Janet Smit for organizing the service, to Pastors Doug, Tim and Norlyn for their messages, to Ardis Eilts and Marv Schmidt and to all who provided music.  In addition to those mentioned above, the CRC Praise Team was composed of Kenyon Gradert, Jim Viet, Mandy Viet, Don Mulder, Carmen Noteboom and Sharla Gradert.

Despite the windy conditions, it was a beautiful morning spent praising God and celebrating our heritage.

The Crowd Gathers!

Susan Ten Napel, Janet & Doug Smit serve Rolls and Doughnuts.

Pastor Tim speaks on "A God Who Is Faithful"

Shirley Ten Napel accompanies Kenyon Gradert as his brother Kameron assists.

Pastor Norlyn speaks on "A God Who Will Be Faithful"

The CRC Praise Team