First Baptist Church, Garden City, in West Cullman Baptist Association celebrated its centennial Sept. 9.
Following the two regular morning worship services, approximately 100 attendees commemorated the milestone during a luncheon in the fellowship hall and reconvened in the sanctuary for a 2 p.m. anniversary service.
During the anniversary service the praise band led worship, the youth sang and there was much congregational participation, Leneta Pender said.
Pender, along with Becke Arnold and Teresa Goodwin, served on the anniversary’s planning committee.
Dale McAnnally, a former member of the church and current pastor of Bethlehem East Baptist Church, Hanceville, and Glenn Pender, pastor of Happy Home Baptist Church, Leeds, both spoke to the congregation.
A slideshow presentation of 225 photos featured church members and events throughout the years, including weddings, baptisms and Bible school.
Nancy Beasley, representative for the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission, presented a plaque to the church.
A “testimony tree” was displayed, and attendees were each given a paper leaf to write messages on and place on the tree. The leaves will be stored in the church’s time capsule to be opened in 25 years.
“Our vision is to reach the community for Christ” and we need to be doing all we can … for the glory of God, said Pastor Bill Ellis. “Our … main purpose” is to know God, love others and make Him known, he added, noting the church has a great legacy and they are looking forward to a bright future.
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