Farewell worship service: After 127-year ministry, Aurora Methodist church to close Sept. 30
After 127 years of community ministry, Fourth Street United Methodist Church, 551 S. Fourth St. in Aurora, will close with a final worship service at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30.
The Rev. Derek Rodgers, pastor of Flowing Forth UMC of Aurora, will preside.
Flowing Forth UMC was born in April in a merger of the former Fourth Street UMC and the former Flowing Grace UMC in Aurora. Flowing Forth UMC will continue to meet Sundays at Aurora Christian School.
The closing service will feature a "Litany of Leaving" in which Pastor Rogers will lead congregants.
Additionally, the service will include music, a reunion of former members and guests and a display of historical photos, memorabilia and other artifacts. A reception with light refreshments in the church fellowship hall will close the event.
The public is invited. Admission and parking are free. A freewill offering will be taken.
Former members, friends and others are invited to write memories of experiences at Fourth Street UMC. Contributed reflections will be included in a memorial book.
Contributions for the book should be emailed to fourthstumc@sbcglobal.net or sent by mail to 551 S. Fourth St., Aurora, IL 60505.
The deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 25.
Call (630) 897-5257 for more information.