Pastor Kevin Fruchtl said Ebenezer United Church of Christ, New Tripoli, celebrated its 273rd anniversary Jan. 20 to get people thinking, and to celebrate the fact "We are here."

In his sermon, Fruchtl planned to talk about the things that change and the things that remain the same all in hopes of getting people thinking about the 275th anniversary.

The worship liturgy for the day was taken from the German Reformed Worship Book of 1929. Video clips from the 1930s and '40s were shown.

On the back of the church bulletin was written, "Happy 273rd birthday, Ebenezer UCC, and may you have 273 more."

"We can't prove the day Ebenezer started,"Fruchtl said. "We don't know exactly if it was Jan. 20."

The service began with "Happy birthday, Ebenezer" and, as with any birthday party, there was food in the social hall.

"I've heard sermons lasted for two hours in earlier days, but I won't do that to you," Fruchtl said.

He urged people to think what it was like meeting in people's homes in 1740.

Living was a day by day struggle, he said.

The first song was "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty," written by Joachim Neander, who led a stressful life and died at the age of 30, but he was able to provide the church with many hymns.

"I think the Father is pleased with this celebration," Ed Maurer said before reading the Bible lessons. "The sunlight is shining through the stained glass windows and it is beautiful from up here."

One of the things not in the 1929 worship book Fruchtl said he would include because it had become a tradition was the children's sermon.

He then asked the children what was old? Answers included my dad, Ebenezer, towers and grandpa.

New items were toys, an art desk, a blanky and a pillow.

He asked which was best, the new or the old.

The children thought the new things were better.

Fruchtl explained to the youngsters that sometimes old things are good.

He said the church is old but it's a pretty good place.

From 1784 came the hymn "I Sing the Mighty Power of God" by Issac Watts. A more familiar song he wrote is "Joy to the World."

At the time, the only singing allowed was the scripture so he got in trouble for his songwriting.

In the prayer Fruchtl said that it is through the faith community that "we are able to serve and be served."

There have been 273 years of offerings but without it there would be no Ebenezer. As the offering was taken a Rural Memories video was shown.

In 1740 George Washington was 8 years old. Thomas Jefferson had not been born. It would be 36 years to the Declaration of Independence. There was no Internet, cell phones, cars, airplanes, electric lights, and the toilet was out back, yet people came together to worship.

There was the founding of a nation and a Depression, but some things don't change," Fruchtl said. "We've been fighting about money for 273 years."

Land was purchased in 1761 for 20 pounds, 7 shillings and 6 pence. By 1798, a new building was needed. The money on hand was insufficient and the funds needed to be raised.

The building was finally begun in 1824 and cost $2,425. After construction there was $8.49 left over. This was given to the treasurer for keeping the records.

In 1890 the present building was needed. It cost $22,000.

Ebenezer was always in the forefront of education with a school beginning at the church in 1766.

Sunday School began in 1858, and the Ladies Circle Society in the 1890s.

In 1908, mission work donated 5,400 pounds of fresh produce to the Bethany Orphans Home, now the Bethany Children's Home.

In 1856 the Rev. Helfrich said, "The congregation at Ebenezer has strange people in it. It is difficult to make an impression. All of my sermons pass over their heads. No one wishes to assume responsibility."

There had been stables to protect the horses during services. It took 11 years to tear them down after the decision was made.

"God gives everyone gifts," Fruchtl said. "We have shared gifts of music, education and being community during the journey through hard times.

"We celebrate because we can and to honor this great community. It gets frustrating at times, but always God's hope is in the midst of this."

The final hymn was from 1529, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" by Martin Luther.