by Ruth Schwalm

Despite the surprise appearance of snow, which coated lawns, roof-tops, and automobiles, persons gathered to worship God and to renew their friendship with Rev. and Mrs. Martin W. A. Trostle. Rev. Trostle’s return to the pulpit, from which he had preached during the years of 1963 to 1975, was looked forward to as another highlight of the congregation’s Bicentennial Celebration (1800-2000). During his pastorate, Rev. Trostle researched and organized the church’s history and published "The Shiremanstown United Methodist Church-Its Story from 1800 to 1969." This book continues to be a valuable source of historical data, and has been of substantial help to the Bicentennial Committee.

After the playing of the Prelude by Janis Glosenger, Organist, the lighting of the altar candles by Amanda Cornnell, Acolyte, and the choir processional, Rev. John A. Ile, Pastor, gave the announcements for the week. He emphasized particularly the appearance of Mr. Tom Herald, Celtic Harpist, who would present a concert using the theme, "All Things Bright and Beautiful," in the sanctuary at 7:00 p.m.. This was open to the public without charge, and was sponsored by the Bicentennial Committee, with refreshments being provided by the Mission Belles.

Mr. Bill Burridge read the Bicentennial Minute, which included factual information about early Shiremanstown. In the 1820’s, Dr. Mateer provided for the medical needs of the population, numbering 182. In 1845, there were 60 houses in the town and the population had increased to 275. In 1863, during the Civil War, a sentry posted at the United Brethren Church warned the townspeople that the rebels were approaching town from Mechanicsburg. These Bicentennial minutes add interest and color to the church’s Bicentennial theme "Hope for the future through faith from the past."

After the singing of the introit by the choir, Rev. Ile led the congregation in the Call to Worship:

L- Since then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God.

P- Let us hold fast to our confessions.

This was followed by the opening congregational hymn, "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus."

The Old Testament lesson was found in II Samuel 22:1-7, 47-51. These verses are David’s song of thanksgiving to the Lord for delivering him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of King Saul. David not only refers to the Lord as his rock, his refuge, and his shield, but praises Him as his savior from violence. In the 47th-51st verses, David, now king, praises God for bringing down peoples under his reign, and for exalting him above his adversaries.

Rev. Ile then led the worshippers in the general prayer and in the Lord’s Prayer. This set the tone for the baptism of three month old Elizabeth Ann, daughter of Mark and Lisa Hoover. After the baptism and while the infant was being held by one of her sponsors, the parents were invited by Rev. Ile to light a candle from the altar which they can use annually to recall the date, place, and time of Elizabeth’s baptism. The Order of Service for Baptism used for this rite was found on pages 39-42 of The United Methodist Hymnal.

The anthem by the adult choir was entitled "My Song is Love Unknown" and reminded the hearers of the limitless love given by Christ to us all.

It was then time for the Children’s Minute. Twelve to fifteen youngsters came forward to sit at Pastor Ile’s side. The puppet chosen for this service was "Bonnie the Bunny." The story emphasized the importance of sharing items from a garden: the violets were willing to give blossoms for a bouquet, the seeds were willing to provide food for the birds, and the stream afforded water for the frog to drink. The king who owned the garden gave a gold coin to the violets because they seemed to be best at sharing. Rev. Ile encouraged the children to share also; as God shares His creation with us all. The group was then dismissed to attend junior church.

The worship service continued with the Act of Giving, during which Charles Custer, Choir Director, sang the beautiful solo "I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary." A similar Lenten theme followed when the Hymn of Greeting, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus," was sung by the congregation, as follows: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace."

Among those visitors to whom special greeting were extended were the Trostle’s second son, his wife, and two children. Rev. Trostle stated that J.P., his elder son, was in New York City this weekend, but sent his love and greetings.

Rev. John Ile then read the New Testament lesson for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, I Corinthians 1:18-31. These passages speak of Christ and the power and wisdom of God. The Apostle Paul captured the essence of the reading in verse 18. "For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Following Rev. Ile’s introduction of Rev. Trostle, the guest pastor brought greetings from Christ United Methodist Church, Tower City, PA, where he has been serving as an interim minister since 1997. He added that he considered the twelve years at Shiremanstown the best part of his ministry. He referred to the effectiveness of seventeen share groups and the several hundreds of persons involved in missions and evangelism outreach. He also related several humorous incidents that occurred in his sons’ Sunday group led by Mrs. Ruth Fertenbaugh.

Rev. Trostle then announced his sermon title, "The Power of the Cross." He stated that the first thing that he and his family do when relocating into a new home is to "claim the cross," and then find a prominent place to locate the approximately 14 inch wooden cross which he held before the worshippers.

What is the power of the cross?

1. It was the most cruel instrument of death the world ever conceived. It was developed by Rome; not by Christians. Three thousand Galileans or more were crucified on crosses. The Jewish leaders could not believe that God would permit Christ to die on a cross. We, who are Christians, know that Christ transformed death on the cross to life. God is in the "changing business." He can change even me and you.

2. The Apostle Paul, in I Corinthians 2:2, wrote, "For I decided to leave nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified." This was Paul’s source of power.

3. Constantine, in 325 A.D., while praying, saw a lighted cross in the sky that said "Conquer." When he was made emperor, he outlawed crucifixions and put the cross on the top of his battle standards as an emblem of power.

4. In John 3:13-15, Jesus predicted his crucifixion (to Nicodemus) as follows: "No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." (The snake which is a part of the medical symbol or caduceus; symbolizes healing rather than death.)

5. In John 12:32-33, Jesus again spoke of his death by crucifixion. "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

6. The cross on which Christ died has become a symbol of life to those who believe that he rose again and gives us eternal life.

7. The cross has drawn you here? Why? Because you’re His. The power of sacrificial love. "For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son..." (John 3:16). We could not know salvation unless Christ bought it on the cross for us.

8. There is power in suffering. While ill, a hospital patient observed light striking a cross on the wall in the corridor. This reminded him of Christ’s suffering on the cross, and enable him to be strengthened even while in pain.

9. When Christ was nailed to the cross, our sins were nailed there too. We will no longer need to be dominated by sin.

10. Finally, the cross is a "bridge" from earth to heaven. The thieves on the crosses at Golgotha were set free by Christ. We need to take Christ’s hand and walk across the "bridge" into heaven.

In closing, Rev. Trostle told the story of a businessman who was impressed by the local resident who played the part of Jesus in the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. The businessman tried unsuccessfully to pick up the wood cross which Christ carried. When he asked the actor why it was so heavy, the actor said, "because it had all the sins of the world on it."

Rev. Trostle then led the worshippers in singing the closing hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." The service was closed with the pastor’s benediction, and the choir’s response, "Hope for the Future," the bicentennial hymn written by Charles Custer, Choir Director.

Photos of Rev. Trostle and his family were taken after the service. As customary, the worship hour was tape recorded.

Further information about Rev. Trostle includes the following: Calvary Church, Dillsburg, PA, was the church recommending him for ministry. He was licensed in 1951 and ordained in 1954. He received the A.B. degree from Lebanon Valley College in 1951; the Bachelor of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in 1954, and the Masters of Sacred Theology from Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary in 1964. He served parishes in New Bloomfield, Baltimore, and New Kingston. Additionally, he was the Associate Director, Council on Ministries, Central Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church from 1975-1983. Since his retirement in 1995, he has been an interim minister in Valley View, Wiconisco, and Tower City. Rev. Trostle and his wife live in Dillsburg, PA.

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