Aurora church to celebrate 25th anniversary with two-day event

Grace Community Christian Church, 2770 Montgomery Road in Aurora, will celebrate its 25th anniversary with events Saturday and Sunday, July 14-15. The Rev. Yvonne Gilmore has invited the public to participate in activities for adults and youth.

The Rev. Bob Brooks, founding pastor of Fox Valley Christian Church, predecessor of Grace Community, will return from semiretirement in Melbourne Beach, Fla., to preach during a 3 p.m. Saturday anniversary service.

Rev. Gilmore will be installed as Grace Community's pastor during the service.

Guest musicians will be groups from St. John AME Church in Aurora and Calvary Church of Naperville.

Rick Mervine and Ed Bugg, Aurora aldermen and Grace Community members, are expected to participate.

For his Eagle Scout project, Jason Lilek, a Life Scout in the church's Boy Scout Troop 57, will unveil a brick patio and walkway he built around a memorial tree near the church entrance.

The celebration opens at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with a breakfast for volunteers who will perform service projects on the church site and in the community until noon.

From 3 to 5 p.m., a 25th anniversary celebration will include a sermon by founding pastor Rev. Bob Brooks and installation of the current pastor.

Saturday events conclude with a picnic from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and a bonfire at 7:15 p.m.

Sunday events open at 9:30 a.m. with dedication of a memorial garden and walkway. The walkway is a landscaped path featuring bricks inscribed with names of deceased Grace Community family members After a worship service at 10 a.m., lunch at 11:30 a.m. will close the celebration.

Grace Community Christian Church is a member congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the oldest native born denomination in the U.S. Congregations function independently but cooperate with sister churches worldwide in mission and development of resources.

Call (630) 898-7990 or visit graceccc.org for information.