The Republic (Wash.) Church celebrated 25 years of service on Sabbath, Aug. 16, as approximately 50 former members returned for a day of praise, thanks and nostalgia.
Rick McCombs had the morning sermon and each of the four former pastors present gave a short presentation in the afternoon about his time in Republic.
As Republic's first pastor, McCombs re-counted how he had been sent to Republic with instructions that he was to stay "until you have a church." When he arrived, the church members met in someone's living room and had potlucks in their kitchen.
After holding services at several locations, the small congregation decided to build a log church on donated land. God provided church members with just the right skills to complete the project. The first well drilled for the church was dry. But someone decided to check the well later and discovered that it suddenly had water. This miracle well provided the church with water for many years.
A slide presentation of the past 25 years completed the reminiscences. The afternoon ended with everyone joining hands, singing "Side By Side" and making a commitment to meet again in heaven.
From left: (front row) Walt and Jean Tinlin, Dorothy Chambers, Shirley and Kirby Davis, Lois and Rick McCoombs; (on ground in back ) Karen Chambers, Dale Chambers, Dorothy Chambers; (on stairs) Judee Fleck Young, Patsy and Al Fleck, Joyce and Jerry Goldsborough.
