Elk Point
UNITED CHURCH
Service of Dedication
Wednesday, November 7th, 1962
ELK POINT, ALBERTA
SERVICE OF DEDICATION
Elk Point United Church
Minister: Rev. David R. Edwards
Organist: Mrs. F. G. Miller
Choir Director: Mrs. D. D. Didow
Clerk of Session: Mr. Marvin Willmer
Recording Steward: Mrs. Paul Petrosky
Chairman, Committee of Stewards: Mr. R. J. Tredger
Chairman of the Building Committee: Mr. R. Frank Johnston
President of Alberta Conference: Rev. Douglas K. Walker
Chairman of St. Paul Presbytery: Rev. Charles B. Hickman
Special guest: Rev. Kenneth W. Morris
A Word of Gratitude
To almighty God for His unmistakable leading and abundant blessings which have made possible this house of worship.
To the members and friends of the congregation, whose love for
Christ's church is here given new expression.
To former ministers who have planted and watered well, God giving
the increase; and to all members of the church who are with us no
more; They laboured and we are entered into their labours.
To the architect, Messrs. Campbell and Fleet, the Building Committee,
and all the firms and people who have shared in the work of building.
ELK POINT UNITED CHURCH
Service of Dedication
ELK POINT, ALBERTA
ORDER OF SERVICE FOR THE DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH
Organ prelude
The ministers and laymen taking part having gone to the main
door of the church, the congregation will be called to sing the psalm,
"All people that on earth do dwell", Hymn No. 669.
The President of Conference will knock on the door and call:
"Open to me the gates of righteousness.
I will go into them and I will praise the Lord." (Psalm 118:19)
The Clerk of Session will open the door and extend the greeting:
"Brethren, in the name of this congregation I bid you welcome.
Come into this sanctuary to dedicate it to the glory of God."
Then, having come in through the main door, the President shall say:
"We beseech Thee, 0 Lord, graciously enter Thy house, and
within the hearts of Thy faithful people establish for Thyself an
everlasting habitation, that they may be glorified by the indwelling of Him by whose building they live; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Peace be to this house and all that worship in it.
Peace be to those that enter and to those that go out from it.
Peace be to those that love it and that love the name of Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Hymn No. 677, "0 set ye open unto me".
Then shall the keys of the church be received from the representative of the firm of architects.
The Architect: Entrusted with the co-ordination of the plans of this
congregation and the embodiment of them in suitable architectural form and design for Christian worship, I present the keys
of this building to the chairman of the building committee of
the congregation.
The Chairman of the Building Committee: I accept these keys believing this building to be well and truly built. This property will
be held for The United Church of Canada by the Board of Trustees of this congregation; and in their name I present this building to be dedicated to the glory of God and the service of His people.
Then shall the minister receive the keys of the Church and
place them on the Table. Then he shall say:
Let us pray. 0 Lord Jesus Christ, who openest and no man shutteth: Grant that this house now opened for Thy service may always be filled with Thy presence, and may ever remain a refuge for Thy faithful people; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Then shall these parts of the Holy Scriptures be read, the people reverently standing.
1. Concerning Prayer.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing
in my name: ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
St. John 16: 23, 24.
2. Concerning the Word of God and the Preaching of the Gospel.
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and
returneth not thither, but watereth the earth and maketh it bring
forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the
eater: soshall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall
not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isaiah 55: 10; 11.
I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the ever-
lasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to
every nation and kindred and tongue and people.
Revelation 14:6.
3. Concerning Baptism.
Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given
unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and 10, I am with you always, even unto the end of
the world.
St. Matthew 28: 18-20.
4. Concerning Confirmation.
Now then the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and
John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them that they
might receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8: 14, 15.
5. Concerning Matrimony.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and
shall be joined unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh. This is a
great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church.
Ephesians 5: 31, 32.
6. Concerning the Burial of the Dead.
I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning
them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have
no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so
them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.
I Thessalonians 4: 13, 14.
7. Concerning the Lord's Supper.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto
you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed
took bread: and when He had given thanks, He brake it and said,
Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He
had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this
do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye
eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do shew forth the Lord's death
till He come.
I Corinthians 11: 23-26.
The people may be seated; and the choir hall sing the anthem,
"Bless This House".
Then shall the minister and all the people speak these words
of dedication on their part:
Minister: 0 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; our Father
which are in heaven:
People: To Thee we dedicate this house.
Minister: 0 God the Son, Saviour of the world, Head over all things
to the church, Prophet, Priest and King of Thy people:
People: To Thee we dedicate this house.
Minister: 0 God the Holy Spirit, given to be our a-biding Teacher,
Sanctifier, and Comforter; Lord and giver of life:
People: To Thee we dedicate this house.
Minister: Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, three Persons and one
God:
People: To Thee we dedicate this house.
Then shall follow this solemn prayer, beseeching God on His
part to consecrate the house to its holy use.
Minister: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up unto the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks unto our Lord God ..
People: It is meet and right so to do.
Minister: It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should
at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, 0 holy
Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; for that Thou, ac-
cording to Thy most true promise by Jesus Christ our Lord
art present in our prayers and holy rites, and in all the ser-
vices of these Thy servants.
(The minister shall continue in the prayer of dedication.)
Then shall the people stand, and the President of Conference shall say,
By virtue of our sacred office in the church, we do now declare to be consecrate and set apart from all profane and
common uses this house of God under the name of Elk Point'
United Church; in the name of the Father and of the Son
and -of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
N ow unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only
wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.
May the power and presence of God be with you in all that
you do for Him in this His own habitation. Amen.
Then shall the offerings of the people be received and presented.
Offertory: We give Thee but Thine own,
Whate'er the gift may be.
All that we have is Thine alone,
A trust, 0 Lord, from Thee.
Greetings
Hymn No. 207: All things are Thine, no gift have we.
Sermon: The Rev. Douglas K. Walker
President of the Alberta Conference of the United Church
of Canada.
Prayer
Hymn No.2: "Glory be to God the Father".
Benediction
Recessional: Grant us Thy peace upon our homeward way;
With-Thee began, with Thee shall end the day.
Guard Thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,
That in this house have called upon Thy Name.
Organ postlude
A History of the Church
Prepared by Dr. F. G. Miller and Dr. A. G. Ross
The first record of any organized religious work in the Elk Point district is of a Ladies' Aid group organized about 1909 in the
Richland school area under the leadership of Mrs. J. B. Caskey, Mrs. Lark Howard, Mrs. Charles Hood, Mrs. Jim Hunter and other pioneer
women.
The Lutheran church had a resident minister, Mr. John Lorenson, who preached at Glendon, Lea Park, and occasionally here.
The area was served spasmodically by various students from the Presbyterian and Methodist denominations, among whom were
a Mr. Leber, two different Thompsons, and others of whom the record is lost. When they preached here the services were held in the old
community hall destroyed by fire in the winter of 1921-22.
A small church was built on the site of our present old church during 1921. It was constructed of native lumber and largely by volunteer labour. This building served until the spring of 1928, when it was destroyed by fire. In 1927, the present manse was built. Among those who built these two buildings were George Shortridge, Helge Heselgren, Rev. Harry Day, Orlo Fish, George Bartling, Jesse Pool, and Grant Arnold.
Rev. Mr. McCusker of Onion Lake supplied services here at times during 1922 to 1924. He was an elderly man, quite deaf, but
very earnest.
Our first resident minister was Rev. James Smeaton who stayed about two years. He had been an air force pilot and had been severely injured in a crash.
He was followed by Rev. Reg Smith. He and his bride' were from England. They were both dedicated Christian workers. They organized Girl Guides and Boy Scout groups, visited everyone in the district, helped in all community projects, and were respected and loved by all. They left to do missionary work in British Guiana where Mr. Smith died of typhoid.
Mr. Whaley was the next incumbent, from 1931 to 1934. He had the first milch goats seen in this district. He had a fine family of children and was an enthusiastic Long Lake fisherman.
In 1934, Rev. Sam Marshall came to Elk Point. He was a real builder, a good visitor, an excellent preacher, and was thoroughly liked by the whole community. He organized the choir, equipped the church with the present pews and pulpit, did a lot of the cement work around the front of the church itself, and raised money for church purposes by several successful carnivals. He stayed for five years and was greatly missed when he left. Mrs. Marshall had a beautiful soprano voice which she used to improve greatly the musical service of worship.
Mr. Marshall was succeeded by Rev. C. R. Corcoran. He was in ill health much of the time, and during his short ministry a serious schism occured in the congregation which marred its progress for a long time.
In 1941, Rev. A. D. Pringle was our minister. He stayed for six years. He was elderly, a keen curler, and was largely instrumental along with David Nelson in getting the sport of curling under way in Elk Point. His wife was an accomplished soprano soloist.
Rev. W. N. Blackmore served as pastor from 1947 to 1949 when he accepted a call to the Vermilion charge.
During the next two years the church was supplied spasmodically from St. Paul by Rev. Russel Beairsto, and Rev. F. J. Lee. Then we had a resident lay preacher, Mr. Robert Smith. He was an earnest Christian worker and died shortly after an evening service from a heart attack.
Our good friend Rev. Harry Day, Anglican minister, filled in for us many times when no minister of our own church was available.
In 1952, Mr. and Mrs. Wellwood Adam came to Elk Point from England and gave this congregation wonderful spiritual leadership until 1956. He was a lay preacher when he came and left us to complete his studies at St. Stephen's College. He was ordained from there in due course.
From 1956 to 1958, Rev. Ted Eskdale was our minister, and after he accepted a call to Stony Plain, we were fortunate to secure the services of Rev. Carlton Miller, a young McGill graduate who did an excellent rebuilding job on the congregation. He was the first to insist on our trying the Sector Plan which has proved such a help to the church. He is presently the minister at Vermilion.
In 1960, Rev. K. W. Morris became our minister. He put deep roots down in the hearts of this congregation and is greatly missed since he accepted the charge at Killam in the summer of 1962. Rev. D. Edwards came in August.
In 1957, the pressing need for more Sunday School room decided the congregation to build a church school hall. A commodious building was accordingly erected on a site secured on Second Street North. This was also used by the Woman's Association for banquets young people's work, and during the last two years for worship, and the congregation had completely outgrown the older building. Last year the old two room school building next to the hall was acquired
to furnish extra Sunday School space. In the spring and early summer of 1962, a new sanctuary, whose dedication we celebrate was built immediately east of the hall and connected with it.
May the work of the United Church in Elk Point still expand until before too long even this building will be inadequate.
