1967–1987
Rev. Ronald P. ByarsThe pastoral relationship with the Rev. Dr. Howard Kehde was dissolved on April 9, 1967. The Rev. Paul Hurrell became the first interim pastor. He and the Rev. Fred Graham filled the pulpit from 1967 to 1968, after Rev. Kehde returned to his home in Midland. Rev. Ronald P. Byars was installed on February 1, 1968. The congregation had grown to 275 members.
In the fall of 1969 the church manse was sold. The first Shrimp Boil occurred in the basement of Dave and Jane Armstrong's home on October 18, 1969. The first Hanging of the Greens, to decorate the sanctuary for Advent, was completed on December 4 of that year. This—and the Shrimp Boil—became annual events. The first Family Camp was held at Camp Greenwood May 15–17, 1970. The annual Agape Feast became part of the worship service in 1971.
In 1972 Bobbi Bates formed a rhythmic girls choir. The girls danced to scared music such as The Lord’s Prayer.
In June, 1973, a Building Feasibility report showed church needs as follows: Remodel, $20,000; Addition, $42,000–$56,000.
The first secretary, Carol Everlove, was hired on July 31, 1974. The confessions banners and Baptism Font were dedicated. The banners expressed in art form our confessions such as the Apostles Creed. Gratitude was expressed to Gertrude Wilson for her years of service to our Vietnamese families.
In 1974, the 10th anniversary was celebrated. Susan Hoenshell Brown was taken under care of the Session as a seminary student.
A Health Fair, the first Mission Trip, was held in the summer of 1976. Members departed for QuaPaw, Oklahoma. That fall a church building addition was approved, and a Building Fund Campaign was overpledged. Dana English was admitted to Yale Divinity School in March, 1977. In the fall of that year Suzanne Hoenshell Brown (Helen Harger's daughter) was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan.
In 1977, it was determined that the church expansion would include a Fellowship Hall, classrooms, and kitchen facilities. These completed additions were dedicated on September 24, 1978. In 1978 the church celebrated its tenth anniversary, with 356 members.
The Good Shepherd statue, in the sanctuary, was purchased by the Women's association in March, 1978 with proceeds from a craft sale. The Good Shepherd statue was designed and made by Father Kosiki. a Catholic priest from St. Lucy’s Church in St. Clair Shores. The Yangs, the congregation's first sponsored Laotion family, arrived in the winter of 1980. Suzanne Brown was ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament on June 15, 1980.
The pastoral relationship with Rev. Dr. Ronald Byars was dissolved on August 3, 1980. Rev. Byars had accepted a call to Lexington, Kentucky. Reverend Charles Riddle became the church's interim pastor.
The featured speaker at a Southeast Asia Mission Fair on October 26, 1980, was Sally Wylie. Sally, a sister of member John Wylie, served as a missionary to Thailand.
Rev. Lawrence FarrisThe first annual church ice cream social was in 1981. In October of that year Rev. Lawrence Farris was installed as pastor. The Tenebrae Service and a dramatic monologue became features of Maundy Thursday service during Rev. Farris' ministry.
On November 21, 1982, the stained-glass window at the rear of the original sanctuary was dedicated. The window was designed by Becky Kirk and created by Marge Clay, both church members.
The Memorial Fund, a way to lovingly remember friends, was established in 1983, and has enriched our worship all through the years.
In the fall of 1983 the congregation participated in the Ecumenical Parish Program with the Synod of the Covenant. The Rev. Shehadeh and his wife Doris came to our church from the Galilee area of Israel.
The first church deacons were elected on June 3, 1984. Mack Davis and Mark Treweiler organized a liturgist program in February 1985. The OK39ers were established in March of that year, with Bill and Gladys Rieske as leaders. The first Habitat for Humanity program took place in Baldwin, Michigan in August.
By November, 1985, the congregation had paid off the $20,000 mortgage on the Loaves and Fishes House. This project continues to provide overnight shelter for homeless people.
In March, 1986, the Session contracted for the Fowler pipe organ.
A contest was held to rename the church newsletter which was then called The Cedarville Times. Amy Hartsell, one of our older members at that time, suggested the name The Grapevine and was the contest winner. Her prize -- a free subscription to The Grapevine!
The pastoral relationship with the Rev. Lawrence Farris was dissolved on April 21, 1986, when Rev. Farris moved to Princeton, New Jersey, to pursue graduate studies. The Rev. Richard Ainsworth served as interim pastor from Fall, 1986, to Spring, 1987.