How does it work when a former

coach turns principal, turns minister, eventually retires and returns

to the field to minister to a church that is 120 years old?

Quite well, if you check with

Ebenezer United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Charles Govenstein

has been serving the congregation for five years and is looking forward

to many more.

Under his guidance a Vacation

Bible School has been added after its absence for a few years, a fall

festival now raises over $5,000 annually, and a perpetual cemetery fund

is almost halfway to being completely self-sustaining.

The white frame structure from

the middle 1880s has seen a membership of a few believers meeting under

a brush arbor to nearly 100 meeting each Sunday morning. It has grown

from being a "second Sunday preaching" church to having its

own every Sunday preaching.

Beginning Aug. 20, a Bible

study group will meet each Monday at 10 a.m. for group discussion. A handbook

will be used that follows the current Sunday School lesson themes. Everyone

is invited.

A revival is planned for Aug.

12, 13 and 14. Beginning at 7 p.m., the Rev. Bob Kerr, North Fayette United

Methodist, will preach the 12th and the Rev. Alton McEachern, Cornerstone

United Methodist, will preach the other two days. A fellowship supper

will begin at 6 p.m. on the 14th.

The annual fall festival will

be Saturday, Oct. 20, and is expected to once again raise at least $5,000.

It will be disbursed to local needs and the cemetery fund.

Church members enjoy a breakfast

each third Sunday beginning at 9:30 a.m. Meeting in the fellowship hall,

everyone stays together to hear a devotion and Billy Tate delivers the

Sunday School lesson.

Other Sunday School classes

begin each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. with worship services beginning at 11 a.m.

Choir rehearsal is each Wednesday at 6 p.m. and a fellowship supper is

last Saturdays at 7 p.m. The men's club meets first Saturdays at 7:30

p.m. and the United Methodist Women meet third Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

The church is at 680 Ebenezer

Church Road and can be reached at 770-631-0306 or 770-463-2100.

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