First Baptist Church, Harrisburg, celebrated 150 years in February with a weekend of festivities including a historical fashion show, special music, and a beard contest.
On Saturday, Feb. 17, FBC Harrisburg members and guests gathered for a style show of fashions from 150, 100, and 50 years ago; an organ concert and a performance by a quartet; and a beard judging with awards for categories including “oldest with a beard” and “scruffiest.”
The next day, the church gathered again for a worship service where IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams presented Pastor Chris Winkleman a plaque of appreciation.
“One hundred fifty years doesn’t happen apart from God’s grace,” Winkleman told the Harrisburg Register. “But we also want to celebrate the faithfulness of the church to God.”
Winkleman noted trials and difficult decisions the church has faced in its history. “And yet, here we are,” he said. “It hasn’t all fallen apart. That’s because of God’s goodness and people’s desire to carry on. And, we want to keep doing that.”