Building a lighthouse, a beacon of Hope: Congregation dedicates new church
RACINE, Ohio – Years of planning and fundraising came to fruition Sunday as the congregation of Carmel-Sutton United Methodist Church dedicated their new building. It was a morning full of music, worship and celebration for the new home of the Carmel-Sutton congregation. If you’re looking for fundraising ideas for your church, see here for 12 proven methods that you can use: https://get.tithe.ly/blog/church-fundraising-ideas
On Nov. 12, 2017, 247 people were present for the dedication of the new church located at 31435 Pleasant View Road. The Rev. Jim Marshall pastors the church and led the dedication portion of the service along with church council administrative chair, Kathy McDaniel. Bethany and Morning Star United Methodist Churches were also in attendance for the celebration of the new building. Rev. Marshall pastors those churches as well. Many people want to look for service times and locations for churches near them, and whilst there are good online sources it is wonderful to have the new building ready for prayers and songs.
During the service, those that helped with making the building possible were recognized for their efforts and leadership. The congregation voted on May 17, 2012 to construct a new church building. It was not until July 10, 2016 that ground was broken on the project, however. Tony Hupp was recognized as the first chair of the building committee. Also noted for their efforts with the building committee were Adam McDaniel, John Bentz, Dale Maidens, Jean Trussell, Terry Varney and Tara Rose. Trustees C.T. Chapman, Steve Yonker, Luke McDaniel, Steve Frost, Tony Hupp, Don Smith, Jeff Hill, and John Bentz were also noted for their work as well.
The administrative council of the church was also acknowledged for their service to the church and includes: Joe Cornell, treasurer; Judy Marshall, secretary; Arch Rose, lay leader; Stephanie Yonker, staff pastor-parish relations; C.T. Chapman, trustee chair; Sally Hanstien, worship leader; Linda Cunningham, nurture and membership chair; Jody Harrison, Christian education leader; Jackie White, Friendship Circle mission; Rachel Cornell and Rachel Hupp, fundraising team leaders; Terry Varney, events coordinator and Kathy McDaniel, administrative council chair. Kathy McDaniel was also presented a ceremonial blue key to the building.
Randy Dudding was recognized for his work as project manager and for moving the actual construction forward for the congregation, making the plans a reality. Kathy McDaniel said it 468 days from the beginning of the project to completion.
During the service, several hymns were sung including “There’s Something about That Name”, “To God be the Glory”, “Sanctuary”, “Amazing Grace”, and “The Family of God.” Special music was performed by children of the congregation, Truly Saved, and Doc Logan and the Boys. Taylor Carleton and the Senior Youth Group Singers performed sign language with accompanying music. Pastor’s wife, Marg Marshall, also played the piano with a solo.
Rev. Marshall’s message, Just Do It, was about being obedient to God. He based it on the story of the turning of water into wine at Wedding at Cana in John 2:1-11 specifically when Mary, the Mother of Jesus, told the servants to do whatever he son instructed them to do. The pastor said believers are to be obedient to God even though they may not understand the bigger picture as the servants did not understand why they were filling the large jars with water when wine needed. Rev. Marshall said every miracle in the Bible began with a problem, but nothing happened until the people were obedient.
“Life is not just one miracle, but a series of miracles when we walk in obedience,” the pastor said, noting there were many series of events that led to the construction of the new church building. “Obedience is listening to the words of Jesus and doing the will of Jesus,” he added.
The actual dedication of the building followed the sermon. The church bell was rung at the beginning of the dedication ceremony. During the ceremony, Rev. Marshall prayed the church be a “lighthouse in this community, a beacon of Hope.”
As part of the dedication liturgy, Kathy McDaniel read, “Recognizing that the Almighty God does not dwell in houses made with hands, that heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool, and that He cannot be contained in the heaven of heavens, much less this house cannot contain Him. We follow the admonition and directive given to Moses, who built a Tabernacle, in which His Name would be recorded and His honor dwell, and wherein His glory was sanctioned. We now consecrate this building as a House of Worship. We designate this sacred place as Carmel-Sutton UMC located on Pleasant View Road, Racine, Ohio to our Triune God. This is where together we will gather for worship, praise, thanksgiving, and prayer. Here may His inspired Word be shared, His sacraments be administered, His people be blessed so as to serve Him well within this community. We will proceed with a vision for the salvation of the world to increase His Kingdom as souls are saved by faith in the Saving Lord, Jesus Christ. We now accept this building for its intended use, with thanksgiving to God.”
A luncheon was held following the service in the new fellowship hall of the church.
On Oct. 22, 2017 the move was made to the new church building. The congregation began at the previous building and caravanned to the new facility. Youth from the church participated in carrying the flame from the old to the new building. As the old bell rang for last time, the new one rang to welcome the congregation to their new church home.
According to church historian, Sue Hager, the Carmel Church was founded in 1882 and the Sutton Church in 1872. In 1976 Carmel United Methodist and Sutton United Methodist combined. It was not until May 23, 1996 that the churches merged officially forming Carmel-Sutton UMC.
The Carmel-Sutton Church also noted various business and individuals for their assistance in making the new church building possible including Breech Engineering, Golden Giant Building, Forest Run Ready Mix, Connolly’s Excavating, Baum True Value, Keller Excavating, Precision Poured Concrete, Carter’s Plumbing, Farmers Bank, Patrick Mullen, Double M Construction Inc., Ray Russell Contracting, Creative Audio Visual Group, Brad Smith Flooring, Honest Fred’s Flooring, A-1 Glass, G & W Plastics and Supply, Keith Jones Contracting, Leonard’s Electrical Suppliers, Pleasant Air Heating & Cooling, Snouffer’s Fire & Safety, Morning Star Custom Millwork, Uniflex Church Furnishings and Roush Landscaping.
