Ebenezer Presbyterian Church 170th Anniversary

The session of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Greenfield, Missouri, has scheduled a weekend of celebration and worship on September 15 and 16, 2012, as we recognize God’s hand and grace over the past 170 years and look to the future as we follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Chartered on June 4, 1842, Ebenezer Presbyterian Church was the first congregation of the Old School Presbyterian Church south of the Osage River in Southwest Missouri, and one of the earliest congregations in this area. Mount Zion Church (a New School Presbyterian church), in Cave Spring, and Ebenezer were for decades the most influential churches in this territory.  Chartered by pioneers, mostly from Virginia and Tennessee, the initial congregation consisted of 28 individuals, one of them identified as “Hanna, negro slave.”   When asked by Reverend W. B. Bell, the minister chartering this fellowship, asked what the name would be, J. M. Rankin, the surveyor who laid out the city of Greenfield, stood, and with tears streaming down his cheeks, said, “Let the name be Ebenezer, for hitherto the Lord hath helped us.”  A continuing history of the church is being published in the Ebenezer Presbyterian column of this paper, the third installment appearing this week. 

The Lord has continued to help us, and on September 15, at 6:30 p.m., all are invited to join us in a celebration concert featuring singers and groups from around the Greenfield area, including some who are descendants of those original members.  Continue with us on Sunday morning, September 16, as we fellowship at 10:15 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m.  Finally, we will gather with representatives from around Greenfield and the John Calvin Presbytery at 3 p.m. to rededicate ourselves and our facility to God’s continually revealed will as we worship and serve in Dade County.

If you have pictures or information regarding the early years of Ebenezer, including descendants of the families of Ebenezer, we would appreciate your contacting us .  For questions or information regarding this weekend of celebration, contact Mary Kay Glunt, pastor of Ebenezer at 417-844-0629. 

WORKING OUT — Published in the Vedette July 5, 2012

In just a few minutes my kids and I will be leaving for a LONG drive to Pennsylvania.  We’re going to try to make it back to my home in one day, and it will take a lot of teamwork and coffee to make it!  More on that another time.  Our guest minister this upcoming Sunday will be Rev. Walter Hamer, recently retired from Monett First Presbyterian Church.  See in a week or so!

Last week I had the honor of joining the McConnell and Feezell families in celebrating the life of Dorothy Feezell McConnell.  As I interviewed the family in preparation for the services, I was impressed with her life and commitment to faith and was challenged in many areas of my own life to follow her example as she followed Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).

A great way to learn a new skill or practice is by modeling, that is, by observing someone who has mastered that skill. Jesus was a master teacher and used this method to teach His disciples. The Apostle Paul recognized this method and in Philippians 2:1-13, he holds up Jesus’ example as the model for the believers in life and conduct.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature[a] God, (1) did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, (2) taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, (3) he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Phil 2:5-8).

People are dreamers. We want more. We want to be respected, looked up to. Success is something we regularly grasp for. Jesus, however, had no reason to grasp for anything. The Gospel of John tells us that nothing was created without Him. Jesus himself said that He and the Father were one. Jesus had it all, but instead of standing on His position, He laid down his robes and His glory.

Passing from heaven to this world, Jesus took on an earthly body. He walked as we walk, talked as we talk, and struggled as we struggle. He soiled his diapers, skinned his knees, and dealt with peer pressure and growing up. In all of that, however, Jesus became one of us to serve us. “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve” (Matthew 20:28a).

Finally, Jesus modeled sacrifice for us by following God’s will and laying His life down for our forgiveness. Although he asked, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).

What does this mean for you and me? First of all, set aside all pride and arrogance. Whatever our background, denomination, or affiliation, none of us has entered the Body of Christ through our own power. And whatever our abilities and/or achievements are, they are nothing compared to what Jesus laid aside to save us.

Second, we are called to be servants, not only of God, but of one another. In Paul’s words, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3,4).

And third, we emulate our Master Teacher by laying down our own desires and hopes to follow God’s will for our lives. We find God’s will by working out our salvation—not physically, but spiritually—so we can become more like Christ. We practice sacrifice, loving others and putting them first so they can see Jesus in us.

A teacher once asked, “When was the last time someone told you that you looked like your father? No, I’m not speaking about your earthly Father, but your heavenly Father.” For many of us the earthly family relationship can be seen easily seen. Unfortunately, we often lack spiritual evidence of our relationship to our adopted Father, brought into the family by Jesus’ blood.

“One Sunday morning in 1865, a black man entered a fashionable church in Richmond, Virginia. When Communion was served, he walked down the aisle and knelt at the altar. A rustle of resentment swept the congregation. How dare he! After all, believers in that church used the common cup. Suddenly a distinguished layman stood up, stepped forward to the altar, and knelt beside the black man. With Robert E. Lee setting the example, the rest of the congregation soon followed his lead” (Today in the Word, September 1991, p. 15).

This week, whether celebrating at the Lord’s Table or serving others at work, home, or in the community, remember to get your spiritual exercise in. Work out your salvation by setting aside pride and serving and sacrificing for others. In this way you will find God’s will as God works through you for His good purpose.

Mary Kay Glunt, Pastor P.O. Box 393 Greenfield, MO  65661

revmkg@sbcglobal.net

revmkg.wordpress.com

 

A Home of God’s Own–Ebenezer History, Part 3

The desire for a place for God—one where we can worship and remember God’s victories and care for the congregation is nothing new.  The First Testament is replete with descriptions of altars built by Abraham, Isaac, the people of Israel, and many others, as they set themselves to commemorate God’s involvement in their lives.

In the wilderness Moses brought instructions to the people on building the Tabernacle, as God promised, “…make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). The people joined together, bringing from their stores materials as God had instructed, to build the portable furniture and tent that traveled with the people and was set up when they pitched camp.

Many years later, under King Solomon, once again the people brought their gifts to the building of the great Temple dedicated to God’s glory and presence in Jerusalem.  In fact, throughout the First Testament the people were often challenged to bring from their own possessions and finance to support a place of worship, a place where God’s people could gather together.

Building a church, whether speaking of the spiritual church comprised of people of faith or of the physical building in which they worship, can be a tremendous challenge and requires much faith and prayer.  The first building occupied by Ebenezer was no different.  Completing a place of worship in early Greenfield required sacrifice and generosity and brought the community together.

The fledgling congregation of Ebenezer Presbyterian was first led by Rev. Valentine Pentzer, who labored with them for three years.  Following him was Reverend John McFarland who became pastor in 1848 and served until 1860.

Having worshiped in the home of the Rankin family from its inception, the congregation longed for its own facility.  Under Rev. McFarland, a plan was put in place to erect a house of worship, built of brick, on the lot where the current building stands, but farther back.  Pioneers all, such an endeavor was a tremendous one.  Money was scarce for many in those days.  The solicitor for the building program was having difficulty in raising money and appealed to those in the congregation and the region for assistance.

One individual who made the building possible was Elder James M. Mitchell.  One of the early lay leaders in the church, he donated over $600 for the building, along with the gift of a tract of land.  A man of faith and leadership, many of his descendants still reside in this area.

Although many contributed to the building fund, there is another who must be recognized in this article.  Hearing of the financial difficulty, one woman came forward.  In the membership roster there appears the name “Hanna (negro slave).”  In fact, Hanna Cowan had been freed in Tennessee, but she “came with her young master to Missouri and lived with the family until her death.”  The solicitor had been visiting the Cowan home, speaking with the Cowans about their part in the fund.  He had not presented the challenge to Hanna, but upon hearing of it, “she walked in with a half dollar in her hand, which she had taken from her scanty store, and said, ‘Will this put in one brick?’”

There were others outside of the congregation who contributed to the building of the church, but this will be discussed in the next installment.

Paul instructs the Corinthians, in his first letter in the New Testament, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free —and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many (12:12-14).  It is passages such as this that challenged the early founders of Ebenezer, and continues to challenge all believers, to contribute freely as they were able to the work of God.  While James Mitchell was able to give much, Hanna Cowan gave what was much to her, so the congregation could have a place for God’s worship.

Jesus, himself, spoke of this when he witnessed the widow bring her offering:  “But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on’” (Mark 12:42-44).

What gifts do you bring to God today?  You are a part of the Body when your life is in Christ, and as a part of that body, everything you possess, and everything you are, is a part of what God is doing in the church and in the world.  What do you bring, not just financially or materially, to God today?   Whatever gift you have received from God, I challenge you today to share that gift with others in the church and outside, that God might be glorified and the body of Christ be strengthened.

Blessings!

Mary Kay Glunt, Pastor

P.O. Box 393

Greenfield, MO  65661
revmkg@sbcglobal.net

 

A Congregation Is Born–History of Ebenezer Part 2

Largely French and Spanish, the overwhelming religion of the Missouri Territory was Roman Catholic.  However, after the War of Independence, many Protestants sought to immigrate there.  The Spanish encouraged this to bolster the economic success of these settlements but set restrictions against Protestant services in the colony; yet, the restrictions were rarely enforced and itinerant Protestant ministers often visited the settlements, and after the War of Independence was won, many Protestants sought to immigrate into the Missouri Territory.

Louisiana became a state in 1812, and, again, southerners poured into the Missouri Territory between 1804-21. Missouri applied for statehood in 1818, but did not become a state until 1820 with the Missouri Compromise, allowing it to enter as a slave state, with Maine entering as a free state, to preserve the balance.  In the southwest area of the territory, the organization of Dade County was approved on February 15, 1841. 

Although the area offered much through nature, these were still pioneers, people who learned to do much with little and to live off the land.  Life was rewarding but hard, perhaps much like modern television shows such as “Little House on the Prairie.”  The settlers worked hard, but they needed one another, as well. Many of the pioneers brought their most treasured possession, their faith, which no doubt helped them through those early years.

As stated last week, in 1819 the United Foreign Missions Society sent men to explore the Missouri Territory with an eye toward “foreign missions.”  A mission was established, but by 1836 the mission was given up and the work for the Indians was abandoned, stating that “very little, to human view has been accomplished.” (Stringfield).  Although the mission was abandoned, those who settled there remained, and those families remaining became the nucleus of various churches in the region.

In 1842, 28 individuals called on the Rev. W. B. Bell to organize an Old School Presbyterian church, the first in this region.  (The Cumberland Presbyterian Church had been organized a few years previous.)  The church was started in the home of Polly, Margaret, and J. M. Rankin, who had moved here from Tennessee, and for 12 years this church family worshiped, worked, and grew in that home until they were able to secure their own building for the church.  The elders ran the church for the first two years until 1844 when the first pastor came to serve the church, Rev. Valentine Pentzer.

Those appearing on the first roll of the church were John M. Rankin, Polly D. Rankin, Nathan Wilkinson Sr., Nathan Wilkinson Jr., Rebecca Wilkinson, Jane Wilkinson, Nancy Morris, John Tarbot, Mary Tarbot, Jacob Montgomery, Rachel Montgomery, Ann A Montgomery, Nancy S. Davidson, W. W. Rankin, Margaret D. Rankin, Margaret Gardner, James Sharp, Alfred Cowan, Jane Cowan, Hannah (negro slave), Mary Weir Sr., Betsy Wilkinson, Sarah Wilkinson, Mary Bowers, Thomas Ross, Sarah C. Ross, Margaret Rutledge, George Rutledge.

Upon the organizational meeting of the church, it was asked what the church was to be called, and John M. Rankin arose and in a voice trembling with emotion said, “Let it be Ebenezer, for hitherto the Lord hath helped us.”  This year the Ebenezer Presbyterian congregation celebrates 170 years of ministry and worship in Greenfield.  God has helped us throughout these 170 years, through good times and lean times, through growth and loss.  In everything, when we turn our eyes to our Lord, God has been faithful to carry us through.

Literally meaning “stone of help,” my prayer is that each of you reading this history would have the same testimony of Mr. Rankin, that God has been your help.  But, if not, today is not too late for you to call on God with all your heart, as these people did.  There is nothing too horrible or too hard that God cannot help you through it, no place too lonely that God cannot be there with you.  Are you seeking that “stone of help” in your life?  Why not join us on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. as we call on God together?

Blessings,

Mary Kay Glunt, Pastor revmkg@sbcglobal.net

P.O. Box 393 Greenfield, MO  65661

Resources:

Ebenezer Presbyterian Church original documents.

History of Dade County and her People (located online)

Missouri, Wikipedia

Stringfield, Presbyterianism in the Ozarks.

The Call of God–History of Ebenezer, Part 1

History.  We study it in school, talk with our neighbors about it, and sometimes just ignore it.  Moving forward requires a vision of our starting point.  These next few articles will include history of the founding and growth of Ebenezer, leading up to our anniversary celebration, yet to be scheduled, as we look forward to the future.

THE CALL OF ABRAHAM AND THE CALL TO THE WEST

Genesis tells us of Abram, a man who lived with his father’s family, probably a good life.  His father, Teran, uprooted the family, intending to live in Canaan, but eventually settled in Harran.  Abram, however, had a different destination.  “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you’” (Genesis 12:1).  Abram took his wife, his servants, and his flocks, and left for the land of God’s promise.

It isn’t easy to pick up and leave your family, whether God calls or not.  There is always the fear of leaving the “known” and the “comfortable.”  Twenty-seven years ago next month my husband and I left our home in Pittsburgh, Pa. and traveled to Springfield, where we knew no one, to enter Central Bible College.  I guess things worked out okay, since we are still here!  Yet, the move was scary, even though it was an adventure in God’s call.

The history of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church has a similar beginning.  This area was inhabited by the native American tribes known as the Osage.  According to Stringfield (Presbyterianism in the Ozarks), The United Foreign Mission Society of the Presbyterian Church, in 1819, sent two men to explore the Missouri territory.  This call to establish a mission “among the Osages of the Grand River” was undertaken by a group of nine men and eight women in 1820.  Two of the women died on the journey.

A second group was then sent to the Osages of Missouri, leaving New York on March 7, 1821.  They traveled “by way of the Ohio, Mississippi, and Osage rivers on keel boats” and founded the Harmony Mission.  In 1823 the missionaries in the Harmony, Union, and Dwight Missions formed what was called the Indian Mission Presbytery.  Although this outreach seemingly did little for the native American population, the work became known as Harmony Presbytery, which later disintegrated.

This time saw many individuals, not because of a call to missions, as earlier, but for freedom, good land, and a good life, pack up their lives and move westward, mostly from Tennessee and Virginia. These men and women brought with them not only their supplies and equipment, but also their faith.

Unfortunately, the Presbyterian Church underwent some changes, and in 1838 the denomination split into two divisions:  Old School and New School.  The Old School group held to strict Calvinist theology (irresistible grace, etc.); the New School group interpreted regeneration (salvation) as essentially voluntary.  From these divisions two churches were founded in this area:  Mount Zion Church at Cave Springs (New School) and Ebenezer Presbyterian Church (Old School).

YOUR CALL

As stated earlier, it isn’t easy to change.  We become established, tethered to the comfortable and ordinary.  The unknown can seem frightening and lonely, while the known –even if not pleasant—is recognizable and has few surprises.  Yet, as with Abram, God daily calls us to new experiences, perhaps even new locations.  We hesitate and resist because of fears that plague us; yet God still calls, still speaks to our hearts.

Where is God calling you today?  Perhaps to a new relationship with someone who needs a helping hand?  Maybe God is calling you to ministry, whether in the local church or beyond.  God’s call may be for you to enter a church building (someplace you haven’t been in sometime) to become part of a congregation, or perhaps to step forward at your church to be a part of things God is doing there. 

Whatever God’s call may be, we have the assurance that wherever God calls, God will be with us.  “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:8-10). 

This year, as we celebrate 170 years of serving Christ, we proclaim that we are still alive!  As we look forward, we are not content to live in the past, but we are looking forward to what we will become “when we grow up.”  If you do not have a church family, will you come and visit us?  Whether Ebenezer or another congregation, there are people waiting for you to be a part of their family.  Take the step!

Blessings!

Mary Kay Glunt, Pastor
Ebenezer Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 393
Greenfield, MO  65661
revmkg@sbcglobal.net