Indiana—As the sun set on Fri., Oct. 14, 2005, Hammond Church members ushered in the Sabbath with a special vespers service to begin a two-day celebration for the mortgage burning and dedication service.

The weekend events were actually set in motion many years earlier, on Jan. 9, 1984, when the previous church building was destroyed by fire. Initially, the congregation contemplated rebuilding. However, after countless prayers, they were led to another location and a new structure was built. They began services in the new church in Fall 1996.

Through the years that followed, members were faithful in paying the mortgage and on Sabbath, Oct. 15, the church family shared in the joy of this long-awaited day of dedication and celebration! A delicious vegetarian luncheon followed the morning services. The afternoon program was filled with musical performances featuring special guests from Berrien Springs, Mich., and Allen Shepherd, Hammond Church pastor, who played a few tunes on his trusty old harmonica.

The pinnacle moment of the actual mortgage burning followed the dedication service. Honored guests included Carmelo Mercado, Lake Union Conference vice president and Hispanic ministries coordinator. Mercado served Hammond from 1979–1987. Other honored guests included Gary Thurber, Indiana Conference president; Peter Neri, Indiana Conference ministerial director; and Gary Case, Indiana Conference association secretary. Each honored guest spoke and provided a special blessing and inspirational charge to the congregation.

In the midst of the service, Joe Carpen, a recently-nominated deacon, was ordained by Neri, Case, and Mercado.

The mortgage burning and church dedication are not the final destination of the journey which began on that cold Jan. in 1984. The prayers of the Hammond congregation are to continue the mission and quickly spread the gospel before the triumphant return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Doranita L. Tyler, Hammond Church correspondent