First Presbyterian Church of Maple Ridge
(Established 1886)
2021 N. Briggs Rd.
Twining, MI 48766
(989) 873-5103

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SERVICE OF DEDICATION
August 25, 2002

Additional pictures I The Dedication Bulletin

Sunday, August 25th. was a glorious day of celebration and praise at Maple Ridge Church. The Service of Dedication for the new building was held in the afternoon. The chancel was decorated with gorgeous bouquets of flowers given by Phyllis and Don Smouter. Many came from the area and from other churches to share in this important event. Members now living in other locations such as Irma Black, and her son, Bill Black, Donn and Margaret Jackson and their daughter and son-in-law, Dennis and Helen Wayne, also were present. Barb Tite, who crafted the beautiful stained glass windows, and her husband Bill, came from Bay City. Rev. Robert Osborne, former pastor, came with his daughter who lives in South Carolina. Jim and Joyce Augsbury, whose father was a pastor at Maple Ridge Free Methodist Church in the 1930Õs came from Flint. Dr. & Mrs. Richard Muzik came from Reese. A delegation attended from the Tawas Presbyterian Church.

The building has been a joint effort of many, many people and appreciation was expressed to all who shared in some way. A copy of all of the volunteers and contractors was given to everyone and can be viewed by Clicking Here

The service began with a hymn which has become a Maple Ridge theme: ÒWonderful Grace of Jesus.Ó Stanley vanReken led the congregation in the jubilant singing and Harriet vanReken played the organ and Pastor Bill Stone the keyboard. Richard Marquardt sang, ÒDown from His Glory,Ó as well as a duet with the pastor, ÒI Waited for the Lord.Ó Sally Deford, Clerk of Session, read the scriptures for the day. The pastor sang, ÒMy Master,Ó written by Kenneth Wells, his former voice professor.

In addressing the congregation a reference to II Kings 18 was given. Jerusalem was surrounded by Assyrian troops. The king was looking toward Egypt to send horses and chariots to defend the city. An Assyrian soldier taunted the city by saying you need more than horses, you need warriors. Pastor Stone spoke of the miracle of this building, but stressed more than buildings are needed. Now well trained disciples of Jesus Christ must use the equipment to serve the community. He said the congregation is moving out of a survival mode into a world-wide ministry.

Sally Deford, the Reverend Doctor Valerie Fargo (Associate Executive Presbyter), and the pastor led the congregation in a ritual of dedication. To God be the Glory.

The Reverend Doctor Rick Vogeley, pastor at Tawas, gave the benediction.

Following the service the Presbyterian Women served refreshments. Two large and well decorated cakes were given by NicholÕs IGA of Skidway Lake.

In the morning and afternoon services a new lectern was used for the first time. It was made by Kawkawlin Church Furniture Company and presented by memorials for Keith and Irene McLean.

In the morning worship Blanchard Roth and Richard Marquardt sang "The Lord Is My Light," and Blanchard sang, ÒAll the Way My Savior Leads Me.Ó

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING PROJECT OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The following is a summary of contributions by many who have allowed God to make this building possible. We give glory to God for each volunteer and contribution.

FINANCING:

  1. The sale of most of the forty acres originally given to the congregation: $22,000
  2. The inheritance given by Margaret & Joseph Kovoch used for the building: $46,000 (Spin-off of $27,000 plus $19,000 Associates First Capital = $46,000)
  3. The remainder of the inheritance is set aside for a reserve fund for ministry.
  4. Maple Ridge WomenÕs Organization have given from their dinner revenues: $7,000
  5. Dow stock given in memory of Maurice Loucks, former Lay Pastor, given by his daughter, Emelie Horsley.
  6. Carter Lumber Company, Matt Schoonover, manager, gave us materials at cost plus ten percent.

STAINED GLASS:

  1. STAINED GLASS in both buildings is from the former Flint Kearsley Church.
  2. STAINED GLASS for this new building has been crafted by Barbara Tite and her husband, Bill.

PEWS:

  1. PEWS have been given by the White Cloud United Methodist Church
  2. Others purchased from the Freeland United Methodist Church, given by June & Neil Federspiel, Sally Deford (Lundy Memorial), Memorials for Molly Kovoch, George Gawne, Shirley Rickert.

CHANCEL:

  1. PULPIT: given in 1947 by Mrs. J. E. Kennedy and Mrs. Roy Goldie in honor of the Reverend Dr. V. V. Nichols.
  2. LECTERN: given in memory of Keith and Irene McLean by memorials.
  3. COMMUNION TABLE: is in Honor of Bill, John, & Beth Stone (Crutcher) given by their Parents, The Reverend Dr. William & Helen Stone.
  4. CROSS: was made by the Reverend Robert Osborne, Pastor, 1983-1991.
  5. FLOOR CANDLESTICKS: Given by Tawas Area Presbyterian Church and by Bill Dykstra.
  6. BRASS CANDLESTICKS: given by the Blacks in honor of the Rev. Dr. V.V. Nichols.

BATHROOMS:

  1. SINKS AND COUNTERS: are given by Ron & Ruth Briggs.
  2. MIRRORS AND LIGHTS: are given by Bill & Helen Stone.
  3. STALLS: (to be completed).

KITCHEN:

  1. COUNTERS: were made by Ron Briggs and finished by Ruth Briggs.
  2. IN MEMORY: of ÒDuke NortonÒ by Phyllis Nagy.
  3. IN MEMORY: of Victoria & Ferdinand Horvath by Joe & Molly Kovoch.
  4. IN MEMORY: of Everett Briggs and Roy Thompsons by Ron & Ruth Briggs
  5. REFRIGERATOR: is given by Nolan and Elsie Hite.
  6. GAS STOVE: is given by Wayne & Kathi Leeser.

COVERINGS: given by Bill & Helen Stone

  1. CARPETING: for the building.
  2. VINYL: for bathrooms, kitchen, utility rooms.
  3. ASPHALT: Paving for the parking lot installed by Hosgins Asphalt.
  4. BRICK: for the walkway installed by Harvey Warle.

MUSIC:

  1. THE BALDWIN 620 ORGAN: is from Flint: Kearsley Church.
  2. THE PIANO: was given in honor of Bob Scroggins by his parents.

PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM: in memory of Nolan Hite and in honor of Elsie Hite given by Bill & Helen Stone.

PAINTING: by Ralph Tanner, Don Smouter, Ruth Briggs, and Harvey Warle.

LIGHT FIXTURES: have been given by Kearsley Church and Bill & Helen Stone.

PAINTINGS: (Jesus, Mountain Scene) are by Irene McLean who began painting at the age of 65 while battling arthritis.

THE VANREKEN ROOM: is given in honor of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Stanley & Harriet who have given great support to the congregation.

VOLUNTEERS:

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION:

  1. CONSTRUCTION: Harold Mulders of Pinconning, Michigan
  2. DESIGN: Tom Benjamin, Velley Associates, Rose City
  3. DRYWALL: by Bill Parker
  4. ELECTRIC AND HEATING: Harwick & Sons
  5. EXCAVATION: Septic, Fill: SwansonÕs Excavating, Inc.
  6. HANG DOORS: Tom Hall Construction
  7. MATERIALS: Carter Lumber Company (Matt & Connie Schoonover)
  8. ORGAN HOOK-UP: Herter Music Co. by Bob Wright and Jim
  9. OSCODA CARPET: (Ken Platskowitz) and Installation by Mike Felske
  10. PAVING: by HosginÕs Asphalt, Inc. of West Branch
  11. PIANO, ORGAN MOVING, TUNING: Northeastern Music (Ray Gingrich)
  12. PLUMBING: Bronson Plumbing
  13. WEB SITE: by Al and Margaret (Briggs) Jones, Aus-Tex Web Designs, Austin, Texas
    (Al & Margaret were married in the church April 21, 1955)

MEMBERS OF SESSION: