by Ruth Schwalm

The second special event of the congregation’s celebration of its Bicentennial (1800-2000) featured the return to the pulpit of Rev. Dr. Robert E. Reasey. Dr. Reasey was pastor of the Shiremanstown congregation from 1959-1963; years during which the two-story, stone-brick church built in 1855 was demolished, and the present colonial-style, red-brick structure was erected on the same site. Dedicated on September 15, 1963, the cost was $180,000.

Three hundred members and friends eagerly gathered for the 10:30 am worship service. Many had been members of the then-named "Shiremanstown Evangelical United Brethren Church" during Rev. Reasey’s pastorate. Others had learned to know Dr. Reasey and to recognize the effectiveness of his dedicated ministry as Chaplain at Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg, PA, from 1982 to 1995.

Rev. John A. Ile, Pastor, presided during this commemorative service. Mr. William Seely presented the weekly "Bicentennial Minute," selected excerpts of the congregation’s history. This was followed by the Introit by the Adult Choir, and the Call to Worship, as follows:

L – So He came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who are near;

P – For through Him all of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.

The opening hymn, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," was sung joyously. This was followed by the reading of the New Testament Lesson, I John 4:7-12, by Rev. Ile. "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God, everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we ought also to love one another. God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us." (New RSV).

Following the anthem by the Adult Choir, "Psalm of Praise," the worshippers were asked to be in prayer for the church, for persons with special needs, and for themselves as they shared in "The Lord’s Prayer." Rev. Ile then invited the children to come to the chancel for the Children’s Minute. With the help of the puppet "Simon the Sprint," he told the story about the importance of working together to achieve a group goal, ie. using a bucket line to pour water on a fire; forming a human line to rescue a person who has fallen beneath the ice. The story was particularly meaningful as this was Boy Scout Sunday. He recognized all scouts and leaders present. Each scout was given a small American flag in appreciation for the services they render to the church and to their communities.

The congregation next shared in the service through the "Act of Giving" and by extending "The Greeting" after they had sung the hymn, "I Love To Tell the Story."

The New Testament Lesson from Luke 10:25-28 was then read by Rev. Ile as follows: "Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ " (New RSV).

Rev. Dr. Reasey expressed his appreciation for the Bicentennial Committee’s invitation to preach the morning sermon. He chose as his topic "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know." He then asked, "Exactly what is Christianity?" He responded by reminding the worshippers that the Christian movement was started by a person who taught basic truths, many times in outdoor settings, and with no trappings. Over the years, more trappings than fundamental truths were added. Dr. Karl Barth, a German theologian, found himself after dinner surrounded by theological scholars who asked him to state in one sentence what Christianity is. Barth responded, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

Dr. Reasey pointed out that the key word in Barth’s reply is LOVE. Do I love God, Jesus? Do you love me; do you love your neighbor? Do you believe that God is concerned about the sparrow, about you?

One of the greatest truths in Christianity is "there is a God who cares; and gives us freedom to make decisions during our lifetime. Some unwise decisions subsequently cause us difficulty and struggle. Nevertheless, when we ask God for forgiveness and help, He lovingly picks us up. By way of illustration, Dr. Reasey related a story concerning Harry, a young person with visual difficulty and who was told that he would become blind. Harry’s hotel room was on the 22nd floor; he went to the window sill contemplating suicide. At that moment, his father came into the room, realized quickly what was about to take place, and persuaded his son not to harm himself. He said, "Harry, I love you with all my heart." Harry came to recognize that his own father was symbolic of God; he became calm and was able to live out the remainder of his life in confidence. God, the Creator, not only loved Harry, He also loves you! He knows more about you than you know about yourself.

The love of Christ—this is the heart of Christianity. "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know" means that in spite of life’s suffering, pain and evil, God loves you for the goodness in you, and you must start loving Him.

Another illustration cited by Dr. Reasey concerned a city man who asked a surgeon about the most meaningful operation he had ever performed. The surgeon told of a small girl who was pale and had a very small chance to survive. Although the surgeon was faced with many other concerns, he listened to the child when she said, "Every night I say my prayers, ‘Jesus, tender shepherd’...and then I ask Jesus to ‘also bless my doctor. I’m not afraid. He’ll bring me through.’" The surgeon, moved by the girl’s faith in him, prayed for direction during the operation. The child lived! The surgeon told the city man, "I was the one who had been operated upon. I learned if I put my life in the hands of God, he will see me through."

Rev. Ile read in I John 4, "Beloved, since God loved us so much, we ought also to love one another." As a closing act of faith, Dr. Reasey invited the congregation to join in singing "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know." The service concluded with the Pastor’s Benediction and the choral response, "Freely, Freely, You Have Received; Freely, Freely, Give."

The worship service was tape-recorded for distribution to home-bound members as well as for the church’s archives. Pictures of Dr. Reasey were also taken as an historical record of his participation in the Bicentennial event.

For the congregation’s further information, Dr. Reasey is a native of Dillsburg, PA. He was licensed to preach in 1953; received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Messiah and Lebanon Valley Colleges in 1955; and his Master’s of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry Degrees from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH, in 1958 and 1992 respectively. Dr. Reasey retired in 1995, and is presently serving as visitation pastor at Camp Hill United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Margaret, reside in Boiling Springs, PA.

Back to events page