Current Events

Arcade UCC collected donations of school supplies from the congregation over the past several weeks and provided a free school supply giveaway to the Pioneer community.  The Arcade Salvation Army supplied backpacks for this outreach service, which were conveniently filled with the needed supplies and handed out to middle and high school students and their families (elementary students will have their supplies provided for them through the schools).  As of August 31, 160 backpacks filled with the needed school supplies have been handed out to families of the Pioneer community! 

 

Thank you to all of the volunteers who gave donations and gave of their time.  And thank you to the local Salvation Army for providing for the local community!

Our church voted in April 2021 to confer the title of Pastor Emeritus on our former pastor, Rev. Robert C. Dievendorf, and a worship service to make it “official” was planned for later in the year. Unfortunately, illness forced the postponement of the service until this year, so it was even more special for us to have our new Pastor Emeritus with us during the weekend of August 19-21.

            The weekend got off to a start at lunch time on Friday, August 19, when many people responded to Pastor Bob’s invitation to join him in Wetzel Hall for pizza, subs and conversation.

            The service of conferral of the Pastor Emeritus designation took place on Saturday morning, August 20. The hymns and scripture readings were chosen in advance by Pastor Bob. The hymns included “How Great Thou Art,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” and “Here I Am, Lord.” His daughter, Stephanie Paradiso, read Jeremiah 29: 10-14 and Joshua 24: 14-15, and Pastor Josh Bower read the Gospel, Matthew 22: 34-40.

            Music for the service was provided by Dona Roll on the piano, and by the Far Cry praise group. Skip Tillinghast reminded the congregation that Pastor Bob often joined Far Cry on bass guitar or upright bass. Our church choir, directed by Dona Roll, sang Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” accompanied by Marvin Zehr on the organ and Nick Tillinghast on cello.

            Pastor Josh delivered the sermon and read messages from people who were unable to be present, including Pastor Bob’s father, Owen Dievendorf. Video greetings came from Associate Conference Minister Rev. Gary Ferner and Pastor Shawn Hannon of Hope Lutheran church.

            The “Recognition of Ministry,” delivered by Rich Vogt, was based on the resolution voted on by the church in 2021 and described some of the highlights of Pastor Bob’s life and ministry before and during his time in Arcade. Dona Roll, the former moderator of the New York Conference, delivered the Presentation of Pastor Emeritus, followed by a Prayer of Thanksgiving by Council Co-Chair Bill Schaper and a unison Confirmation by the congregation. Council Co-Chair and Moderator Debi Lutz called Pastor Emeritus Bob up to the front before she read the Declaration of Honor and presented him with a certificate in honor of his new title.

The highlight of the service, of course, was the response from Pastor Bob. He gratefully acknowledged the honor and reflected on his ministry and his time in Arcade. He especially noted that he and his beloved Cathy were always a team in ministry until her passing in 2016.

            Pastor Josh and Pastor Emeritus Bob delivered the benediction, after which everyone adjourned to Wetzel Hall for a bountiful and beautifully presented reception which was organized by Deb Wood, Vanessa Adams, and Debi Lutz.

            Pastor Bob and Stephanie worshipped with us at the morning service on August 21. He delivered the benediction at the end of the service, and we had more time for fellowship with both of them at coffee hour. It was a special weekend in the life of our church, and we look forward to many more years with our new Pastor Emeritus.  Submitted by Jeff Mason, Church Historian