Church News

Traveling Schedule

Correspondence is Welcome!

Long-time member Lila Valdivia is now residing in a senior living facility in California. For those who would like to keep in touch, her address is:

Lila Valdivia
Murrieta Gardens Senior Living
24200 Monroe Ave.
#124
Murrieta, CA 92562
Direct line: (951) 677-3419

(The best time to call is after 6 PM since she is usually out of her room during most of the day.)

2012 Church Picnic

This spring, the Church of the Great God held the annual church picnic along the shores of Lake Wylie, at Ebenezer Park in Rock Hill, SC. It was a temperate, yet breezy afternoon, so what wasn’t tied or taped down—including potato chips, hamburger buns, tablecloths, small children, and the like—blew away. It proved to be a bit too windy for badminton, but the kids and young adults were able to take a swim in the cool waters of the lake with some of the local wildlife. A few of the brethren seemed to be struggling with the wildlife identification, but contrary to popular belief, the birds were in fact geese and not ducks! It was a day of good food, beautiful weather, and great conversation, that left us with bellies full and cheeks slightly kissed by the sun! We enjoyed having the visitors from Columbia, SC, and Atlanta, GA, in attendance! Hope to see ya’ll next year!

John and Evelyn Ritenbaugh’s 60th Wedding Anniversary

John and Evelyn Ritenbaugh celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday, February 19, 2012. To mark the occasion, the church held an informal social the evening before, with food provided by the brethren. A champagne toast was made to the couple by their son, Richard Ritenbaugh. Of course, the children enjoyed the toast with sparkling cider! The Ritenbaughs expressed their gratitude for all those who were able to share in the festivities with them.

Church Office Addition Completed

The addition to the Church of the Great God's office building is finally complete! Final finishing work was completed soon after the Feast of Tabernacles, and the employees were able to move into their new offices soon thereafter.

The addition enlarges the church office by 1750 square feet (about 195 square meters), bringing the total space to 7000 sq. ft. (778 sq. m.). Most of the added space will be used for five new offices, while adding space to the church library, conference room, and a sixth office. Three large closets for maintenance and storage were also part of the addition.

The staff at the church office extends their appreciation for the help and prayers offered to complete this project. It is our hope that the additional space will make us more efficient and productive in doing the work God has given us to do.

Church Office Addition

The church office of Church of the Great God in Fort Mill, South Carolina, will be receiving its long-awaited addition this summer. When the building was constructed in the spring and summer of 2005, its size was reduced by 25% due to rising materials costs, but now after two years, the church can complete the building to its original size and specifications.

The addition, which will add 1,750 square feet to the building, will contain a conference room, a storage closet, and five full-size offices for the church's employees, who are presently working in what were originally planned to be storage or multi-purpose rooms. It will also add area to three present spaces, two of which will be combined, making them more functional.

So far, the footings and concrete pad have been poured and are curing. The structural steel will be delivered in the next week or so, and will be erected when the concrete is ready to bear the load. Last week, an additional air conditioning unit was installed to assist in cooling the auditorium during the hot spring and summer months. Construction is expected to be completed by early September.

Ordination of Deacons

Church of the Great God is pleased to announce the ordination of two deacons, James Beaubelle of Santa Ana, California, and Ted Bowling of Lancaster, South Carolina. The men were ordained during church services on Thursday, October 12, 2006, at the Feast of Tabernacles site in Columbia, Missouri. CGG Pastor John Ritenbaugh, along with the other elders present, conducted the ordination. Congratulations!