The Bicentennial Celebration of Shiremanstown United Methodist Church (1800-2000 A.D.) was launched at the 10:30 AM John Wesley’s Covenant Service on Sunday, January 2, 2000 by the Reverend John A. Ile, Pastor, and ministerial son of the congregation, the Reverend Roger Mentzer, guest participant. Prior to the introit, Mrs. Carol Wilson, chairperson of the Bicentennial Committee, presented a year long theme, "Hope for the future through faith from the past." She briefly stated the committee’s purpose and plans, and invited the congregation to support the bicentennial activities with their prayers and participation. Her announcement was the first in a series of "bicentennial minutes" which will be given throughout the year highlighting moments in our 200 year church history. Following the introit, the congregation read in unison the prayer of confession:

O God, You have shown us the way of life through your son, Jesus Christ. We confess with shame our slowness to learn of Him, and our reluctance to bear the cross. We confess the poverty of our worship, our neglect of fellowship and of the means of grace, our hesitating witness for Christ, our evasion of responsibilities in our service, and our imperfect stewardship of your gifts. Have mercy on us and forgive us we pray. Amen.

The Reverend Mentzer, son of Lee and Hannah Mentzer, and currently serving as Superintendent of the York District of the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, preached a moving and inspiring message entitled "Why Did He Come?" to the men and women of the church, reminding us that for all of mankind "life is composed of minutes of lostness" but that "God reaches into our history...to win us back." He reminded us that we are to finish the Master’s work, which is to seek and to save the lost. The scriptures, one of which was read by the Rev. Mentzer’s sister, LeeAnn Schin, who served as liturgist, were the story of Zaccheus (Luke 19:1-10), and the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin (Luke 15:1-10). They, along with the parable of the prodigal son, which was a part of the sermon, served to underscore the theme of mankind’s lostness and God’s eager seeking, and to encourage us all to continue to be Christ’s faithful church, doing His work because "one at a time, the lost must be found." In conveying the tragedy of man’s "lostness," he stated that our contemporary world, likewise, reflects man’s and society’s fears, sins, and departure from God. "Why did He (Jesus) Come?" Fortunately, there is a unifying force between the Scriptures and God’s people/creation! God wants us saved from our "lostness," and from our alienation from Him. Jesus came to reclaim us; to bring us back to Him! Rev. Mentzer stated: "Churches are here to help people (find Christ); not vice versa." He further challenged the congregation to commit themselves to Christ and His service by praying with him the following:

I am no longer my own, but Thine. Put me to what Thou wilt, rank me with whom Thou wilt; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for Thee or laid aside for Thee; let me have all things, let me have nothing; I freely and heartily yield all things to Thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O Glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Thou art mine and I am Thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

The congregation was encouraged to commit the Covenant Prayer to memory and to adopt its spirit as its own. The service was brought to a high spiritual crescendo and time for personal commitment through participation in the Holy Communion, the Benediction, and the sending forth.

Attended by more than three hundred members and guests, the service combined in a rich experience the basic elements of Wesleyan worship: Bible reading; hymn singing ("O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing"; "I Come With Joy"; "Joy to the World"); Praise through music; Prayers; Preaching or Teaching; and Observance of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion). It was further enhanced by special music sung by LeeAnn, Jamie and Ellen Schin, accompanied on the piano by Cathy Domen Mentzer, Roger’s wife, who is herself a former member of the congregation, and the daughter of James Domen Sr. and Rose Domen. They sang "Seekers of Your Heart" by Tunney. The theme of the song was contained in one line of the lyrics; "Lord, we want to know you." During the offertory, LeeAnn sang a solo entitled, "Where There is Faith," by 4 Him, an appropriate song for this time and place, as we strive to provide "hope for the future through faith from the past."

Roger Mentzer graduated from Penn State University in 1975 and Garrett Evangelical Seminary in 1981. He has served at Carlisle and Waynesboro. He and his wife Cathy have two children, Garrett and Allison. Following the service, bicentennial photographs were taken of Lee and Hannah Mentzer, their children Roger Mentzer, Lee Ann Schin, Joan Dice, and Steven Mentzer, and their spouses and children.

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