Rev. Ralph Weigold, left, pastor at St. John’s and Rev. Adam Snook, Assistant to the Bishop, East Synod, lightened the mood with their light sabre duel, changing the popular phrase from, “May the force be with you” to “May the Fourth be with you” to mark the date of the service.

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Eganville – St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at Augsburg was filled to capacity Sunday as the congregation gathered in the building one last time for the official service marking the closing of the congregation.

It was a very emotional day for many as several generations of some families worshipped there since the church’s founding in 1862.

Yet the message delivered by both Rev. Ralph Wiegold, the pastor at St. John’s, and special guest, Rev. Adam Snook, Assistant to the Bishop, East Synod, and in the prayers, was not one of despair, despite the circumstances, but one of hope and assurance.

The service opened on a light-hearted note, with the clergy entering the church carrying light sabres in a take-off of the famous Star Wars’ line, “May the Force Be With You,”  to “May the Fourth, Be With You,” referring to the May 4, 2025, closure to lighten the mood.

Rev. Wiegold acknowledged the significance of the service for so many.

“I know it’s going to be a hard service to take, but let’s celebrate the joyous occasion to God for providing us this space and allowing us to do more,” he began.

Following a reading of Scripture by Shelley Zadow, retired MPP John Yakabsuki, a member of the congregation, shared some personal thoughts on the closing of the church. He noted in his 22-year career in office, he was fortunate to have attended many special services at churches throughout the riding.

“They were generally services where they were celebrating a 100th, a 125th, a 150th, and sometimes even more years as a congregation, and as a church” he explained.

On some occasions, he said he returned to the same churches several years later for another celebration, noticing almost immediately how things had changed.

“The writing was on the wall. I saw the difference in attendance, not just the numbers that were at the celebrations, but who they were.

“The old people were older, there were fewer young people, the young people had become adults,” he continued. “And we could see what was happening in churches all around Renfrew County.”

The problem was not unique to Renfrew County but in churches throughout the Christian world he said.

Mr. Yakabuski noted any special occasion at St. John’s was extra special to him, because he was not just attending as the MPP but as a member of the congregation. He admitted his history in the church was much shorter than some, beginning on Christmas Eve 1982. He was later married to his wife, Vicky, in 1987, and their children were baptized and confirmed there, and he was baptized as a Lutheran there.

He suggested some families would have five or six generations, and they, like the newer members, have a history with St. John’s.

“Not the building, which is part of it, but this church, is a part of that personal history of us, and each and every one of us share in that, differently obviously.”    

He pointed out in earlier days how much of a person’s life centered around the church, even their social lives. 

“It’s the congregation that makes the church, and in difficult times, the church was there for Vicky and I.

“He shared how in 1993, their daughter, Heidi, had contracted meningococcal disease, and she was critically ill.

“We almost lost her,” he shared, struggling with the emotions of that thought. “Right away that day, there was a telephone thing went out for people to pray.

“That was something,” he added. “We believe that saved our daughter.”

He said that was just one of a thousand stories that could be shared by those who have been part of St. John’s and what its storied history has meant to everybody.

“Now, we’re going down the road to saying goodbye,” he concluded. “We can’t stop what’s happened, we’re seeing it all over the place, and this is not the last we’ll see of fit in our neighbourhoods.

“So what do we take from it?” he continued. “We take those memories, good and bad, and hold tight to them, because the church, the building, will no longer exist as a congregation, but we will always be part of it. And that history will always be part of us.”

Mr. Yakabuski then delivered an acapella version of the popular hymn, “

Val Nolting delivered a message from her husband, Pastor Charlie Nolting, who served at St. John’s from July 1996 to May 2015.

He said it was always difficult to see an era disappear, especially one that had been such an important part of everyone’s life. He recalled his interview by the call committee, noting how Kenny Roesner asked the all important question, “Do you fish and do you hunt?”

He said the question was obviously meant to see if he was the right person for the job.       

“While I may not have been an exact fit, I learned to adapt,” he wrote.

He recalled when the church celebrated its 150th anniversary, an old-fashioned service was held, complete with period costumes.

“Why we held it on the hottest day of the summer, I’m not sure,” he remarked. “But I recall I had to wear thick woolen vestments for the occasion.

“I was only able to adapt by wearing shorts and a t-shirt underneath them,” he added.

Rev. Nolting said adapting to new things is not always easy and can be difficult, uncomfortable, and even disturbing.

“But it is never impossible,” he stated. “To get through, faith is required.

“The faith that God is going with you, beside you, even within you,” he continued. “Your faith is defined by how you lived your life. Don’t let your faith be defined by a building, even one that holds as many memories as this one.”

He concluded by saying one of the most emotional times he experiences during a service is giving the blessing at the end of the service.

“I get all teary-eyed, not only because it is a form of saying good-bye for another week, but also because I sent you out to do Godly work, which happens, most often, outside the walls of any building, and can be admittedly difficult and challenging.

“While I grieve with you over the loss of this building, I also pray with you to continue building in God’s community. Remembering that the congregation of people, you, are the hands and feet of God, in any community.”   

Rev. Snook delivered the sermon, bringing greetings from the bishop and the entire East Synod.  

“It is a great honour and privilege today to join you for a very poignant and profound moment in the life of St. John’s, and indeed, in the life of the whole synod,” he said.

He understood and appreciated the fact the decision to imagine worshipping in a new and different way has come with many different emotions. 

St. John’s was considered “mother church” in the Ottawa Valley back in 1862 when the congregation began, he said.

“I trust that you have thought about how God’s hand has been at work among you in so many ways since then. I’m sure you remember the faithful pastors, and the committee of lay people who faithfully supported the ministry of St. John’s through the years.”

“There is so much in your history for which to be thankful, especially in moments such as these,” he added.

Rev. Snook said much of the history of the church is recorded in its books, like the number of pastors, the number of services and church council meetings, as well as the number of baptisms, weddings and funerals.

“But what about the acts of ministry and blessings that can’t be counted?” he asked. “Those things that are ultimately known only to God.”

“How many blessings you’ve bestowed, how many people you’ve inspired to deeper commitment, how many acts of mercy you’ve done, and how many acts of service in your community,” he added.

He noted it boggles the mind and humbles the spirit to consider it all.

“And it is good, and it is proper, that we mark this day, though sad certainly, with great joy and thanksgiving in our hearts, because the good news is that those blessings that can’t be counted, those blessings never end.”

Rev. Snook pointed out while the congregation’s ministry in its usual capacity has now changed, he believes the seeds they have sown throughout history, have and will continue to grow, and bear fruit.

“The blessings you have bestowed will continue to go forth and bring new blessings in the light of the world,” he promised. “Nothing can change that, nothing can take that away.”   

He stressed there should be no shame in having to close, reminding everyone, “we are in the dying and rising business.”

“That’s what churches are about,” he stated. “That’s what the whole season of Easter is about. It’s all about death and resurrection, endings and beginnings.

“Today, on this bittersweet day, you need to remember that the same God whose spirit called this congregation into being way back in 1862 has not abandoned you. And while circumstances have changed more than a little in this precious portion of God’s creation over these years, the ministry that you have been called to be a part of will continue, albeit in new and different forms.”   

He thanked all members, past and present, for their discipleship over the years.

“Thank you for loving God’s people, thank you for your ministry, past and present, and thank you for being precisely who God made you to be,” he concluded. “This is an ending, but it’s also a new beginning, so we of good courage go forth in peace and in confidence, and continue to be the blessing that God has called and equipped you to be.”

Following communion, Rev. Snook delivered the official closing prayer.              

“Today, we gather for the last time in this place as the people of St. John’s Augbsurg Evangelical Lutheran church,” Rev. Snook said. “We give thanks for the ministry that has happened in this congregation, and for the people who have been fed and nurtured in the Christian faith here.

A time of fellowship was held at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Eganville following the service.