We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
- Romans 5:3-5

You Gotta Love 'Em

by Mike Henderson and Doug Turner

Of the 50 years that comprise Central Presbyterian Church's history at York Road and Stevenson Lane, perhaps no other decade weathered as much change as did the 1980s. There were dramatic changes in leadership; a change in the composition of members; and a change, if only for a season, in how we viewed God's hand in the life of Central.

The decade began well, with a celebration in 1979 of Murray's thirty years of ministry at Central, during which he was given the keys to the manse on Stevenson Lane. This gift came as a complete surprise to Murray and Dottie as they stood in the front of the sanctuary expecting nothing more than kind words.

The change began with a tragedy. It was November 1982 when word arrived of a plane crash that took the lives of our choir director of 25 years, Lois Steigerwald, her husband Elder Ed Steigerwald, their daughter Pam and her husband Tim Fromme and baby Timmy, their daughter Amy, her friend Susan Goshorn, and another friend from college.

Almost immediately following the accident, Murray suffered a heart attack and had bypass surgery. Soon afterward he announced his retirement. Associate Pastor Pat Hartsock soon announced that he, too, would be leaving for a church of his own. George Antonakos, the Youth Director, and Mary Lou Wilson, the Missions Coordinator, both left for other opportinities within the year. Central was bereft of its main leaders. In many ways, those were dark days. And yet, if you ask the people who were there, and those who lived through it, even those who lost loved ones, God somehow still used these events to draw people closer to him.

It would be nice to say the change began and ended with those events, but it did not. In many ways it was just the beginning. The Session decided to handle the pastoral ministry of the church without hiring an interim pastor (as recommended by Presbytery), bringing in pastors and other speakers to preach. Various elders took the pulpit, with several messages by Kent (Luke) Comegys and Bart Houseman. While the congregation lacked the continuity provided by one pastor, one recollection of that time is of the repetition in almost every sermon that the members of the church are the body, with or without a pastor, and the members do the ministry of the Lord. No doubt this message, reinforced, held together the bulk of the congregation. The first pastor hired by Central proved the wisdom of hiring an interim pastor to provide transition and healing, for Pastor Bob Eggebeen left after a short tenure.

During this era, Central, for perhaps the first time since being replanted in Towson, started to lose members. In the early 1980s, many left Central because of differences of opinion over issues regarding women elders and charismatic gifts, going primarily to Trinity Assembly of God and Grace Fellowship. Later, more left because of the lack of a senior pastor and a stable support staff. Some of those came back to Central when stability and vision returned.

Not every change was necessarily difficult or sad. Central stepped up and increased its commitment to ministry on many different fronts. In Christian education, we hired our first full-time director. Central also hired people to work with the college-age and singles and with seniors. We also significantly increased our financial commitment to missions, sending Larry & Stephanie K. to Brazil. The choir continued under the leadership Leo Wanenchak, who later became Director of Music Ministries. The old organ was replaced with a beautiful Casavant pipe organ in 1987.

Perhaps because there was no senior pastor during this time, the congregation was forced to examine where it had been placing its trust and its hope. We had no person to turn to and as a result, we renewed our hope and our faith in the one true Lord.

The 8:30 worship service originated in 1989 when about 20 members began gathering before Sunday school, to sing praise and worship songs. This "worship warm-up" was meeting in the chapel when the newly arrived pastor, Ron Scates, offered to preach his sermon and turn the event into a full fledged service in July 1989.

The new contemporary service soon outgrew the chapel and moved to the gym for about eighteen months. As the number of worshipers increased, and on the advice of a church growth consultant, the service was moved into the sanctuary where it initially filled just the first few rows. In the ensuing years God continued to add members to the 8:30 worship team in order to lead the growing number of worshipers. Today the 8:30 worship service fills the sanctuary with worshipers, and enables Central to be one of the few churches in Baltimore to offer both contemporary and traditional worship on Sunday morning.

The rough weather which had defined so much of the decade began to recede by the end of the 80s. We finally hired an interim pastor, Ed Houk, who brought the healing and the ability to move on. After an intensive search, Ron Scates was hired as Senior Pastor and began at Central on May 1, 1989, his birthday.

There are so many reasons the 80s could be typecast as nothing more than a miscue in the history of Central, a typo in an otherwise glorious 50 year history. That would not only be inaccurate, but it would also do a gross injustice to a time that, in its own way, best illustrates the faithfulness the Lord has demonstrated to his people here at Central. That the 80s was a time of great uncertainty, yes, that is true. But it is because God had us pass through that door that we are able to enjoy the fruits of that adversity today.

1980s
Wednesday Night Prayer Service --
The weekly prayer meeting of a church is like the engine room of a ship.
- Rev. Bob Eggebeen

The Door - This mission was started by Joe Ehrman in the late 80s. Debbie Zeigler was secretary and Lois Sheeler-Duncan taught the women parenting skills. In 1991 Kim Turner became involved through Project Justice. Central continues to support this dynamic inner city ministry in many ways.

Assistance Center of Towson Churches (ACTC) - Catherine Smith was among the first 4 or 5 Central members who started this ministry to the poor and needy. The shelter which operated in Towson for several years was the only one in Baltimore always open in winter. A handful of other churches participate. Carroll Miller was volunteer President of the Board from 1987-94. Central remains the most active and supportive of the involved churches in donating food baskets and financial aid.

Men's Prayer Breakfast - Some 11 years ago, on the 2nd Saturday of the month, former member Bob McFarland started treating a group of men to a hearty breakfast, followed by a time of prayer. These gatherings still continue under the leadership of Frank Cole and Steve Chrismer, with an average attendance of 10-12 men. But with good health in mind, a continental breakfast is now served.

Sunday School Picnic - First held in 1988, organized by Pat Alexander, Rhonda Herman, and Carol Corey with the Christian Ed Committee to celebrate the beginning of the Sunday School year every September.

International Friends - Central revived its long-time interest in international student ministry, spearheaded by Mary Lou Wilson. Central coordinated with Grace Fellowship and Trinity Assembly of God for several busy years.

"What is the chief end of man?
To glorify God and
enjoy Him forever.
And NOT to horrify God
and enjoy Him never!"
-Ed Houk, Interim Pastor, 1988

When Murray retired in 1983, he and Dottie went to Bangladesh to pastor a church for two years. Then he taught for a year each at a university in Taiwan and at a seminary in South Africa. He then assisted at a church in Scotland for six months. Finally he settled down in Towson, as Pastor Emeritus and Parish Associate, still ministering, and fitting in a short-term missions trip to Romania in 1999.

"Just to let go is the real learning process. Commit it to Him for His perfect timing and provision. It is out of our control and He creates something wonderful."
-Olga Gerkens

The Altar Crosses:

Bruce Stuart built the original cross out of a tree for one of Pat Merriman's Easter programs in the late 1960s. When the new organ was installed in May 1987, the stained glass window was covered over and the cross was moved to the back yard, near the garage to be used for Easter sunrise and other special services. A new cross was purchased and hung from the ceiling. One day, while no one was up front, it fell into the organ and choir loft, damaging the organ console. A smaller cross was obtained and hung as it is now.

Pat Hartsock, Art Moorshead, and others had returned from a short mission trip to India and Pakistan in early 1982 and showed their slides to the congregation. One was of a yoke of oxen, pulling a cart which was piled high with an enormous mountain of cut grasses. How could two oxen possibly pull such a heavy load?! Matthew 11:29-30 came to mind: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me... For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." If we walk closely and in complete harmony with Him, without going in a different direction, those words of our Lord can indeed come true, for then - no matter what happens in our lives - His yoke does become easy and His burden light. - Olga Gerkens

International Friends

by Nancy Nasrallah

We took about 40 students, mostly Chinese, on the church bus to Florida for a Christian conference for internationals over the Christmas break. (The Session was reluctant because of the age of the bus). Members Dave Martel and Paul Clark drove, accompanied by myself, Ruth Martel, and their baby. We left Christmas Day when almost nothing was open on the road. At midnight one of the tires blew. Since we had prayed a great deal about safety, God allowed it to happen just before a large rest area, which was open, with an experienced mechanic and in-stock replacement tire! Does that count as a miracle or not?! The students were impressed by the conference and our working for them, unpaid, on our vacations. Another step toward the Kingdom!

The numbers coming to the International Friends Christmas banquet increased each year until we expected about 200. The Saturday morning of the banquet, I saw an article in the Sun newspaper about places to take leftover party food, one of which would accept food with no advance notice on a Sunday morning. I cut the article out for future reference. That night instead of the 200 we had about 40 people; several other events drew from our usual crowd. God's provision of a recipient for the tons of extra food turned a disaster into a blessing for someone. I still don't know why, but God obviously made provision for them using us. Praise Him for His marvelous ways!

November 15, 1982

by Rev. C. Patrick Hartsock,
Associate Pastor, 1975 - 1983

It was a day I'll never forget. I had a wonderful conversation after the Monday Morning Bible study, with Mary Margaret Goshorn. We talked about Susan, about her coming home soon, about college. Little did we know!

Returning to church after lunch, I was immediately met by Dave Patton, Dean Parrack, Betty Schaffer (church secretary) and others. I thought something had happened to Murray, for he was currently very ill with what everyone thought was the flu. I could tell I was in for bad news. "The Steigerwald plane crashed and all eight on board were killed - Lois, Ed, Pam, Tim, little Tim, Amy, Susan Goshorn, and a friend from college (Regina Copeland)." Dean Parrack suggested that he tell Murray and that I go to the Goshorns "before they hear it on the radio". I then shared the hardest news I have ever had to relay to parents: their Susan was gone.

That began an unbelievable week. So many people, over 3000, came to the funeral home on Wednesday and Thursday nights that traffic backed up the Beltway. On Thursday as I walked through the funeral home door, I was again greeted by Dean Parrack and Dave Patton. "Murray has had a heart attack. You will have to do the memorial service tomorrow without him." I drove home in a daze. I called my Pastor, Dr. Richard Halverson, asking 'What can I do, how can I do a funeral for seven people? Seven caskets will be in that sanctuary. How can I do this, Dick?' "Cast yourself on the Holy Spirit" was the answer.

As I stood at the window of my office the next day at 8:30 am, seven hearses drove in. I began to cry. cry. cry. I thought to myself I can't do this. I can't cry like this. I have to be there for the people. So I walked outside, by each one of hearses, and asked who was in each one, and I cried at each one.

When Betty and I finalized the order of service, I changed Murray's plan - against Betty's wishes - and moved his taped message (a memorial recorded at St. Joseph's Coronary Care Unit) to early in the service. Entering the sanctuary I saw it was packed, as was the Narthex, Breezeway, Power and Light Building, Fellowship Hall, and the Chapel. It was unbelievable to see seven caskets, lined up in front. The service began. I was ready to push the button to play Murray's memorial. As clearly as if you had spoken, the Lord said, Don't push that button. I said to the Lord, But it's in the bulletin! He said, clearly, Don't push that button. I rose and gave my message. As I did, the looks that came my way from some of the elders who thought I had forgotten Murray were unbelievable. I finished my memorial, sat down, and the choir rose. Now realize, they were standing in front of the sanctuary in the center of which was the body of their director. Flown in from all over the country, they rose and sang a magnificent anthem from Psalm 66.

Then I pushed the button on the tape recorder. No one had ever heard what Murray was going to say. After a few introductory remarks, the first words were "The memorial I would like to share with you, based on the anthem you just heard, Psalm 66...." Tears came to my eyes. This time tears of joy; the Holy Spirit really was in charge. If I had pushed the button on the recorder according to the bulletin, Murray's memorial would have been confusing. The Holy Spirit knew that, and told me clearly not to push the button. From that point forward, my confidence in the Lord's ability just sky-rocketed. The service was magnificent. The Lord was honored. Resurrection was celebrated.

Then we departed for the cemetery. When we arrived, the funeral director in the hearse in which I was riding, gave me a message that the last cars were just leaving the parking lot at Central, meaning that there were two-and-a-half miles of cars. We waited 20 minutes for everyone to arrive. How do you inter seven caskets? I got out of the hearse, looked up at the grey skies and thought, We are Christians, but death is still an enemy. We have lost seven precious loved ones. Nevertheless, on the other side of those grey clouds, on the other side of our pain, is glorious victory. Death has lost its sting.

I remember the next Sunday, preaching the sermon, How Can We Go On, from Philippians. I remember the last words: My God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory.

Central went on, and keeps going on, because our hope is in Jesus Christ. And to know Him, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering! What a privilege!

Pat Hartsock is currently the Senior Pastor at College Hill Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.