Grace Gospel Church, 321 N. Gilbert, will have a groundbreaking ceremony for a new fellowship hall next Sunday after the church service, about 11:30 a.m. A pot luck will follow.
The 40x80 foot addition will be attached to the northwest side of the present structure. The current fellowship hall will be remodeled into a classroom, a library/lounge, and have expanded restrooms.
Pastor Trent Boedicker, an Ada High School grad who received his ministerial degree from Grace Bible College, has served the local church for 17 years.
By Monty Siekerman
Pastor Mary Jo Yeakel, who saw a church through a major tragedy, announced to the Ada First United Methodist Church congregation on Sunday that she will be leaving to lead the Asbury United Methodist Church near Columbus.
Her last service here will be Sunday, June 18.
Rev. Gregory V. Palmer, Bishop of the West Ohio Conference, will appoint a new local pastor in time for the June 25 service.
Pastor Yeakel's new church, located just outside the beltway on the southeast side of Columbus, is about the same size as the Ada church. She is leaving because she felt a definite call from God to serve the Columbus area church.
By Monty Siekerman
The First United Methodist Church members retired the church's mortgage during the morning worship service last Sunday.
Pictured are Pastor Mary Jo Yeakel and Brian Hofman, lay leader, shredding the mortgage document.
Usually, when a mortgage is paid off, there is a burning of the mortgage, but not in this case. Tragedy struck the church on March 13, 2012, burning the structure to the ground. Thankfully, no one was injured in the all-consuming fire. So, last Sunday's ceremony was a shredding, not a burning of the mortgage.
By Monty Siekerman
Church services in Ada and Alger have different schedules this weekend since Christmas falls on a Sunday. Several churches will have Christmas Eve services on Saturday. Some churches have modified their usual Sunday schedule, perhaps not having Sunday School (when children may be opening presents) or cancelling an evening service. Dress in some cases is more casual.
Here's what's happening at several Ada and Alger churches.
The Christmas Eve service at the Ada Presbyterian Church, 201 S. Main, will begin at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24. Those present will read Scriptures about the birth of Jesus and sing carols.
The Ada Family Center will have a Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24. The Sunday service will be at 10:30 a.m. and will include communion. The church meets at McIntosh Center on campus. Ray Hadley is pastor.
