Wheaton's St. Matthew UCC hosts 60th anniversary celebration Nov. 17

"Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present and Looking Forward to the Future" is the theme of the 60th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Nov. 17, at St. Matthew United Church of Christ in Wheaton.

The celebration begins with the 9:30 a.m. service, followed by brunch in the fellowship hall, 1420 S. Gables Blvd., Wheaton.

The St. Matthew church family has come a long way since the founding members began meeting at the warming shelter at Northside Park in Wheaton in 1959. The warm and welcoming message established by the church's early members led to growth which resulted in two additions to the original church building and the construction of the "new" sanctuary in 1989.

As one might expect for an occasion such as a 60th anniversary, the celebration will include special music.

The Sanctuary Choir, both handbell ensembles, and the congregation will open the day with an arrangement of "Surely, the Presence of the Lord," commissioned from composer Joel Raney for St. Matthew's 50th anniversary.

Both the choir and the handbell groups will also individually present music thematically tied to the founding of the congregation and the Praise Band will lead a rousing close to the service.

As part of the celebration, a newly composed hymn tune will be sung.

The tune, composed by St. Matthew organist Brian Dobbelaere, is called "St. Matthew's Double."

This new song will be used throughout November as a celebration month, using the hymn "God of Love, We Sing Your Glory" by hymn writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. The congregation frequently sings her hymns in worship since the songs have a strong social justice perspective and a rich scriptural poeticism, which fits the St. Matthew congregation so well.

Charter members who remain active participants will be honored during worship.

There also will be a video presentation about the history of St. Matthew from its beginning at the warming shelter to its present location adjacent to the Prairie Path, south of Roosevelt Road. A brunch, including entertainment, follows the service. Former members are invited to help share in the celebration.

Anyone wishing to attend the brunch should RSVP to the church office at (630) 665-1236 or email office@stmatthewucc.org by Sunday, Nov. 10.

The congregation looks forward to the next 60 years at St. Matthew.

Visit www.stmatthewucc.org or www.facebook.com/StMatthewUCCWheaton/.