Hope Chapel Celebrates 100th Anniversary

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Sunday, August 27, was an historic day for Hope Chapel (formerly Lincoln First Church of the Nazarene) as parishioners and guests celebrated the church’s 100th anniversary. Lincoln First Church of the Nazarene was founded in 1923, only 15 years after the denomination’s beginnings in Texas in 1908. The theme of the 100th anniversary service was “Looking Back. Leaning Forward.”

The service opened with a slideshow of photos of members and activities from the church’s beginnings to the present day, and Pastor Greg Wooten welcomed members and guests, including former pastors, to the special service. Guest worship leaders led the congregation in singing “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” and “A Glorious Church” before Wooten invited anyone to share meaningful memories from the church’s past. Several people shared what the church and church family had meant to them and spoke about the welcome and blessing of the church.

Reverend Larry Collins then took the stage and created a chalk drawing while accompanied by MeLane Coulter on the harp. Audience members watched a depiction of Christ take shape on the canvas while listening to Coulter’s gorgeous rendition of instrumental hymns.

After Scripture readings from the Old and New Testaments, Reverend Terry Armstrong, Illinois District Superintendent, offered prayer. Wooten led the Communion Ceremony based on the 1919 Manual, which is the guide the church would have used at its founding in 1923. The congregation sang “Great is Thy Faithfulness” together followed by the Doxology and Offering.

A noteworthy event of the service was a special presentation in which church member Sarah Strotheide was honored with the Distinguished Service Award. This award is the highest award bestowed on a layperson in the Nazarene Church. She was commended for her many years of tireless volunteer service. The award states, “For your consistent willingness to do more than you are asked, for literally giving thousands of extra miles, and for your love of Jesus Christ and His Church that you have faithfully demonstrated through the musical gifts He’e given to you. A retired nurse, Strotheide has previously volunteered with the Pregnancy Resource Center in Lincoln, Lincoln Parents Center, and the Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. Currently, she volunteers with the Pregnancy Resource Center in Jacksonville, the Gideons, and the UIS Performing Arts Center, in addition to her volunteer work as pianist and board member of Hope Chapel.

Following special music from Deb and Lutz Braunig, Mrs. Becky Armstrong preached the morning’s message. Her text was from the New Testament book of Hebrews, chapter 13, verses 1 through 18. She congratulated the church on 100 years, but reminded them that they are not finished yet.

Based on the passage from Hebrews 13, Armstrong outlined a “list of things to do:”

1. Show brotherly love for each other and strangers. Love more.

2. Practice hospitality.

3. Minister to those in prison, in literal prison or shut-ins, but also in lifestyle-choice prisons or the prison of fear.

4. Take care of your home life, honor marriage, and treasure your spouse.

5. Be free from the love of money.

6. Remember your leaders and live as they live following Christ; Pray for your leaders and pastors.

7. Pray.

8. Praise God through words, prayer, and how you treat others.

9. Don’t forget that God has promised to never leave you.

She concluded her message with a thorough, alphabetical list of the names and adjectives of “the God who was, and the God who is, and the God who will ever be.”

After the sermon, Wooten exhorted the congregation: “Like the first building moving bricks from the original building to form the foundation for the next church building, we are the bricks forming the foundation for the next generation.”

He then introduced two members of the Hope Chapel Church Board who presented a vision for the future. Board member Reatha Owen spoke of what Hope Chapel possesses: hope, family, gifts, and a mission to call others to share in the life of Jesus.

Board member Alice McCoy then presented goals for the next 100 years of the church:

1. To expand involvement in the community,

2. To look for opportunities to collaborate with other churches,

3. To be prayer warriors and to pray with patience,

4. To attract additional age groups to church,

5. To involve everyone in service,

6. To work to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the Lincoln community, and

7. To tap into the power of prayer.

A benediction followed, and the service concluded with singing, “Holiness Unto the Lord,” a beloved, traditional hymn in the Nazarene church. Wooten invited all to join in a catered meal in the fellowship hall that had been beautifully decorated by Luann Wooten.

Fellowship over a delicious meal, cupcakes, and punch served as a joyful ending to this anniversary celebration.

[Stephanie Hall]