Rev. Ryding conducts church service in park
The Rev. John A. Ryding, of O'Neill, Neb., until recently pastor of dual congregations at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marion and Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, conducted the community worship service to close Chingawassa Days Sunday morning in Central Park.
The service followed a Marion Kiwanis Club continental breakfast. The park was filled with sunshine and about 400 people from the Marion area.
The theme of Pastor Ryding's sermon was "Pentecost," as that day, June 8, was Pentecost Sunday. He stressed that it is the responsibility of Christians in our community to reach out to the 50 percent of people living in ZIP code 66861 who have not known the life of God.
"We can do our missionary work right here in Marion County," he said. He emphasized that a "born-again Christian" is anyone who believes in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Anita Hancock of Strassburg Baptist Church was organist for hymns "How Great Thou Art," "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty," and "Rock of Ages."
The service ended with the congregation reciting the Lord's Prayer and the benediction by Pastor Ryding.
