February 23, 1997

Gretna Christian Church 100th Anniversary

Minister:  Dwight Mays

111 Leftwich Street
Gretna, Virginia
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 644 Gretna, Virginia 24557

February 23, 1997 was the Week of Compassion offering day.  Open Wide Your Hearts, Give Help, Give Hope, Give Life.  Give now to One great hour of sharing.  This was the message I found in the bulletin for this Sunday fourteen years ago.

The Reverend Cecil O. Rhodes was the pastor.  Mrs. Linda Dalton and Mrs. Eliza Hines were in charge of the music.  Service began with the song "Blessed Assurance" and continued with the song "Stepping In The Light".  Mr. E. L. Shelton gave us the Invocation and Ms. Shirley Owen presented the Minute For Missions.  The Reverend Rhodes made the Sunday announcements and pastoral prayer.  All verses of the song " Blest Be the Tie That Binds" continued the service.

The Communion hymn for that Sunday was "There is a Green Hill Far Away".  The Deacons serving were Dick Lassiter, Dalton Harris, Oscar Kennedy and Mike Dellis.  Mediation was from Jeff Abbott.  Prayer of Thanksgiving for Bread was given by Floyd Schlauch and Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Cup was given by Harold Bailey.
Mike Dellis made the offertory prayer.

Brandon and Jessica Turner sang "Good News" and the Choir sang "Only A Sinner".  The Invitation Hymn, "Why Not Now"  ended the service with a threefold Amen.

That year a new Sunday School class for ages 1-4 with Jenny Dellis and Shirley Barley as teachers began. The Christian Men's Fellowship were invited to a dinner with the CMF at Liberty Christian Church in Bedford County, Virginia.  And the CWF began their plans for the Vacation Bible School which would begin on June 14,1997.

Mark E. Poole  photos

Disciples of Christ Historical Society 

Gretna Christian Church

Atha Bailey

Linda Dalton