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Moline Congregation Celebrating 125th Anniversary
MOLINE, IL (March 12, 2001) - Nearly 200 people attended the recent 125th anniversary service for First Covenant Church of Moline, launching a year-long celebration. The congregation celebrated Holy Communion using a communion service that was used by the church in its early years.
On Sunday, March 18, Central Conference Supt. Herb Freedholm was the guest preacher for morning worship service.
Other scheduled activities include:
- An anniversary banquet May 11 at the Moline Holiday Inn. Guest speaker will be Jim Hawkinson, executive secretary emeritus of Covenant Publications.
- A May 13 worship service that will include approximately a dozen "sons and daughters" of the church (those who have served in Covenant pastorates or missions).
- A June 3 Confirmation Reunion Sunday worship service and brunch, recognizing individuals who have been confirmed at First Covenant.
- A September 9 worship service - ECC President Glenn R. Palmberg will preach.
First Covenant Church began as the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Gustav Adolphus Church. The congregation held an organizational meeting February 28, 1876, before beginning worship services as The Evangelical Gustav Adolphus Church in Moline.
"We've had a good committee that has pulled everything together and I've enjoyed this," said Pastor John D. Kepler. "We had a woman in the church design a 25-foot timeline and we have a museum with artifacts of the life of the church down in our basement. However, I want newcomers to the church to know they aren't being left behind. They are all part of our church history."
Thirty-seven charter members dedicated the first building July 9, 1876. The congregation voted to request membership in the Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant Church of America on July
28, 1890. About 150 people currently attend the church, according to Kepler.
Additional information concerning 125th anniversary events may be obtained by calling the church at 309-764-7526.
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