We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:4-5

A Vibrant Past

by Scott & Carol Corey

VIBRANT is defined as "throbbing with energy," and is an apt description of Central in its third decade at York Road. From the pulpit, in its music ministries, and multiple fellowships, many received the Lord's call for the first time. This was the decade in Central's history when the most people became members.

A joyful noise was made by Central at York Road, around Baltimore, to the ocean, and in our nation's capitol. The year 1976, a special year in our country's history, was a typical year for Central's music ministries in the 70s. In the Spring, the Choir performed Brahm's Requiem at Central, and again at Light Street Presbyterian Church. There was a youth music ensemble called 5:19 that performed a gospel "rock" opera, Celebrate Life, at Central, Babcock Presbyterian, area high schools, and at the Ocean City Convention Center. Each performance ended with a cast member's testimony, and an invitation for the audience to commit themselves to the Lord. There were also multiple children's choirs, and the College Age Singers performed at the Lincoln Memorial on July 3rd.

Griz Gifford, currently our interim Choir Director, came to Central to play his trombone under Music Director Lois Steigerwald, and found his wife and the Lord. The evangelical outreach was a strategy in the music and all of Central's ministries. On Sundays, the church bus brought students from Goucher, Johns Hopkins, and Peabody. The Chancel Players (Central's drama group directed by Pat Merriman) performed many places, CREW (a men's Monday night ministry Christ Requires Everyman's Witness) called on visitors and new people in the neighborhood, and Summer Day Camp was attended by many children from the area.

In this third decade, 573 adults joined Central! Among them were some of today's leaders. This happened through a rapidly evolving chain of fellowships. Youth Director George Antonakos had an incredible impact on the Junior and Senior High Fellowships. The depth of George and Ellen's walk with Christ spread to the kids. College Age (CCF), Singles (Ithiel), Engaged Couples, and Young Marrieds (Dunamis) all flourished under the loving leadership of Associate Pastor Pat Hartsock and his wife Ann, Bart Houseman, Gene Ball, Dave Patton, and others. The hallmark of all the fellowships was new, growing believers from within and outside of Central. Marriages abounded and a baby boom was to come.

The decade began with Central's members pledging $50,923 for building the Chapel and old office wing and the separate Sunday School building which was replaced by our new wing. By the end of the decade, Central's membership, 743, was slightly bigger than we are today. The vibrant preaching of Pastors Murray Smoot and Pat Hartsock packed the sanctuary to overflowing. Another planning committee was created to find a solution to the shortage of space in the sanctuary and parking lot. When this decade ended, Central had sent six members to be pastors, six more were in seminary, and twenty-five members were missionaries around the world.

In 1969 the Lambooys were looking for another church. It was summer and the selected church was closed when they arrived. On their way home, they passed Central and they went in. "It was the noisiest church I had ever been in! I am not going back there!!!" was Irene's reaction. They returned, however, and their boys were attracted to the busy youth group because "the girls were so cute." The youth group at that time had Thursday breakfast and prayer meeting before school, attended by 50-60 kids from area high schools.

The cute girls? Sherry Ball (Moorshead), Rhoda (Wolf) and Barbara (Tillman) Hall, Mary Ellen Kelly (Castle), Laura Mills (Gifford), Robin Stocksdale, Carol Poehlman (Pallante)

In the early days everyone needed to attend every event, so that there would be people there! - Phyllis DeSmit

A book of Olive You letters exists and is cherished by Carol Corey, who said "She wrote how we all felt at the events of life." (Olive You were Centinel articles written anonymously by Jean Stuart.)

Bible Study Fellowship - a national organization of structured, intense Bible study brought to Baltimore by Chris Harp and others; met originally at Central.

Prison Fellowship - Kent (Luke) Comegys started attending Bible studies at prison in 1975. This was the beginning of the ministry, and the beginning of our friendship with Everette Powell.

Search Ministries - a ministry to help Christians lead Bible studies with non-believers was begun in 1975 with Central member Larry Moody.

Radio Broadcasts - Every Sunday Central's 11a service is broadcast over the radio. Dave Patton spearheaded this effort in 1974 on a Towson station. Today AM station WITH 1230 covers a more extensive area, enabling our sick, shut-ins, vacationers, and 'visitors' to participate in worship via the radio.

Missions Coordinating Fellowship - Organized by Missions Coordinator Mary Lou Wilson for learning about, praying for, and 'doing' missions. Several of our missionaries and many of our missions-minded leaders are a result of this group.

Golf Fellowship - Started by Luke Comegys, Ed Steigerwald, and Pat Alexander who used their passion for golf and the Lord to evangelize other men. Generally, over half of the group is from outside Central. A men's Bible class, now meeting at Gary Goshorn's home, is a spinoff of the group.

Crab Feast - Pat Alexander began this tradition as a time of fellowship with Centralites and their friends, enjoying crabs, crab soup, roast beef, and music. The international students attended one year for an especially enjoyable experience.

Navigators - came to Central with its life- and church-impacting discipleship ministries when John & Joyce Sackett moved to Baltimore.

From the May 18, 1970 Trustees' Report:

"A motion was passed to pay all bills."
(There has to be a story there!)

"Fans need to be installed in the Sanctuary for the summer."
"A motion was made and passed for the Finance Committee to purchase a new or used electric adding machine at a cost not to exceed $80."

When the choir just could not sing the music correctly, even after Lois Steigerwald would go over it and over it, she would say "Put away your music! Put it on the floor!". The whole rehearsal would stop, and they would pray. She was so focused on God, everything in life was centered on Him.

"I will NEVER waste one Sunday on a United Presbyterian Church" said Phyllis emphatically in 1972 when the DeSmits first moved to Baltimore. After refusing several gracious invitations to visit Central from Jean Stuart, the DeSmits finally agreed to attend the New Year's Eve service. After hearing Murray Smoot pray, Pieter and Phyllis knew they had found a church home.