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APRIL 2021 |VOLUME 47| ISSUE NO.4

EVANGEL

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF FIRST EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

Happy 100th Vee! WR I T T E N BY NANC Y J O

Any ideas what the invention below is? Well, you have probably heard the expression ‘greatest thing since sliced bread’ or ‘older than sliced bread’. Well, this month we celebrate the 100 year old life of Veronica “Vee” Catherine Richards, born April 11, 1921! Yes, Vee was born before Otto Frederick Rohwedder introduced his invention a bread slicing machine in Iowa in late 1928, so I guess you could say, she is older than sliced bread! In 1921, the first daughter of Ray and Pauline Richards was born in Lower Bull Run, West Mifflin, PA. That same year the world was

Veronica “Vee” Catherine Richardson

introduced to Betty Crocker, Eskimo Pies, Land

Don’t forget that the average household

O' Lakes Butter, Mounds, Baby Ruth and Oh

income in the United States was

Henry! candy bars, the world's first hamburger

approximately $3,269.40!

chain - White Castles, Wrigley's Gum, the first of 100 Billion Band-Aids to date. At that time a

Veronica and her three younger sisters lived

house cost $7,019, ‘unsliced’ bread was 10

through the Great Depression with simple

cents a loaf, gas was 11 cents a gallon, and milk

means and neighbors often aiding in daily

was 58 cents.

living chores. The girls enjoyed running through the corn stalks exciting the black snakes and singing harmonies with guitar accompaniment. Vee sang in a talent show at Duquesne High School and for an audition at a local radio station. Vee remembers walking home from school in a snowstorm and about a storm when a teacher offered her shelter for an evening.

A Bread Slicing Machine

Happy 100th Vee!, ctd. That was the reason the family decided to get a telephone in the house, circa 1936. Two years later, Vee graduated high school, went on to attend Business School and went to work at a bank. When World War II broke out, Vee’s special dance partner enlisted and after four years of letters, there was a wonderful surprise homecoming. She married that dance partner and God blessed them with four children. Now after 67 years, Vee enjoys numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She has inherited her father’s story-telling ability and below are a list stories she would be glad to tell you about: Only one head of cabbage left in the fridge A surprise 25th Anniversary Party and putting the booze away afterwards Sunday dinners and Annual Family reunions Working for engineers at Westinghouse, meeting an admiral Sewing prom gowns for her girls The ‘hot dog toss’ on New Year’s Eve Meeting Jesus in the 1970’s Other highlights of a 100 year old life well-lived: At age 80, Vee took some college courses to learn about the computer and the internet. She makes a great Texas Sheet Cake and enjoys baking bread. At age 96, she was baptized by Pastor Kirk as a public profession of faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now at 100, Vee wonders why God has blessed her with such a long life. Her family and friends are sure glad He has for she is always a joy to be around. She is conversant, funny, witty, and always expresses a good perspective and attitude on life. She is convinced that the only real way to live is by doing life with Jesus. Her daughter, Val Sas, said, "I think 1921 was a good year and Micah 6:8 fits her (Mom) well at 100! 'What does God require of you, o man, but to love justice, practice mercy and to walk humbly with our God.' Thank you for the example and Happy Birthday, Mom!"

International Partner Spotlight WR I T T E N BY KI R K ALBR E C H T

Vision of Hope Ministries Haiti (VOHM) Our Partner Henoc Lucien died suddenly last spring in Haiti. This news shocked all who knew and supported the ministry of Vision of Hope Ministries (VOHM) in Cap Haitien, Hait. We all wondered what would happen to the Christian schools and churches he started. God is good! Ministry continues! His brother Caleb is now giving overall leadership in Haiti, with leaders Henoc had trained as pastors and school administrators pressing forward with the vision of VOHM. Over 1,000 students receive a solid Christian education, and the 4 churches are seeing growth even as they mark a significant shift without Henoc’s presence. Please pray for Henoc’s widow Guerline, and their 2 sons Michael and Matthew to know God’s provision.

Men's Retreat Info! May 1, 2021 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Laurelville Christian Retreat Center Cost is $15 per person Register online or in person by April 25. Transportation departs FEFC at 7:45 a.m. Men are invited to a one-day retreat at Laurelville Chirstian Retreat Center. Pastor Kevin and Pastor Kirk will teach us what "Standing Strong in Shifting Sands" looks like as a Christian man. Register in the lobby or online! .

International Mark Your Calendars Partner Spotlight WR I T T E N BY KI R K ALBR EC H T Senior Achievers | April 13

at 11 a.m. in Fire Place Room ALIVE (Young Adults) | April 13 at 6:30 p.m. in Adult Learning Center Women's Book Club | April 13 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom White Cross | April 15 at 8:30 a.m in Lower Fellowship Hall.

Family News Anniversaries CONGRATULATIONS TO... James & Virginia Cottrell for 50 years of marriage on April 3. Bernard &Theresa Florian for 52 years of marriage on April 19.

Births CONGRATULATIONS TO... To Bob & Natalie Fleming on the birth of their daughter, Anneliese, March 13. Anneliese joins siblings, Caleb, Lydia, Jesse & Lianna. Proud grandparents are Bill & Lisa Haines.

Griefshare | Thursdays at 10 a.m.

Passings

& 7 p.m. in Adult Learning Center

OUR CHRISTIAN LOVE AND SYMPATHY... To Gary & Lorraine (Shipley) Pearsol at the passing of

Student Ministry Dad's Breakfast n' Bible |April 17 at 9 a.m. in Fire Place Room Spring Sing (and Such!)| April 18 at 3 p.m. in the Auditorium Moms Connect | April 20 at 6:30 p.m. in Game Room Student Ministry Game Night | April 23 at 7 p.m. Awana Picnic | April 24 at 11 a.m. at Renzie Park

Gary’s father, Gilbert Pearsol. To the families of Kevin McNeil, Susan Minnich & Michele Fry at the passing of their mother, Frances McNeil

Memorial Gifts THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED MEMORIAL GIFTS FOR THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE. For Taylor Nestor

For Vincent Grace

Todd & Cheryl Nestor

Anonymous

For Joan Steele Anonymous Bill & Carol Barnes Laurie Bezeck Vilma Pavuk Irene Zack

Laurie Bezeck Ruth Bowers Jim Charlesworth Vilma Pavuk Hal & Rhoda West Irene Zack

General Assembly Meeting| April 25

For John Eisele:

following service

Jim Charlesworth

Men's Day Retreat | May 1

First Responders Outreach!

at Laurelville Homeschool Science Fair| May 8 in Game Room

We will be collecting items for our First Responder's Outreach beginning this Sunday. April

11. Visit the lobby to choose your item tag! Please return items by Sunday, May 2.