Sentinel photo by LIV SUYDAM The present day Ellen Chapel Church on Ferguson Valley Rd., Lewistown.

LEWISTOWN — In time, all of us come home. On Oct. 19, Ellen Chapel Church will host “Back to Church Sunday,” a revival of the spirit and a chance for worshippers to come home to the church.

Inspiration for “Back to Church Sunday” has been brewing for several years, due largely to world events and societal trends.

“We believe that in the past 10 or so years, church attendance has declined significantly due to churches shutting down in-person service during the Covid pandemic,” Ellen Chapel Pastor Mark Hill said. “Many people got out of the ‘habit’ of Sunday worship and just have not started back. They seem satisfied with worshiping on-line or just not worshiping at all. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us of the importance of coming together as the body of Christ for worship, fellowship and service.”

“As many of the mainstream denominations have adopted the more progressive woke agenda, many are frustrated with non-Biblical teaching,” Hill continued, also noting the decline in the number of churchgoers. “Many area churches have closed due to lack of attendance leaving many Christians without a ‘home’ church.”

The Ellen Chapel Church Constitution Preamble calls on the congregation as Christian people “to join together in a fellowship to worship God and to study and teach the Holy Scriptures, for the purpose of leading all who are connected with it to an intelligent Christian faith and life.”

The Constitution includes 25 Doctrines of Faith to express what the Bible teaches through Scripture passages. Ellen Chapel Church is an evangelical Protestant denomination with an Arminian-Wesleyan (Methodism) theological heritage, based on teachings of James Arminius, a Dutch theologian, and John Wesley, cleric and Christian theologian.

“We believe it is the responsibility of the entire church to spread the Good News of the gospel,” Hill said. “All too often we are busy with life and don’t make evangelism a priority. The Back to Church Sunday gives members of the congregation a specific day and time to make the invitation. This works better than just saying ‘Why don’t you come to church with me sometime which is too open-ended and most of the time sometime never comes.'”

The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk last month has played a role in many recognizing his influence, not only in political debate, but by living a Christian life as well.

“The Charlie Kirk assassination was certainly a shock to most evangelical Christians,” Hill said. “I believe that he was one of the best modern day apostles for the Gospel. He was able to openly debate with anyone and is one of the reasons we are seeing Gen Z men in particular becoming more conservative in their beliefs, religious and in general. This tragedy reminded us of the need to share our beliefs openly and honestly with others in a non-confrontational way. It reminds us that Christ is counting on pastors and all believers to share Biblical truth and morality so that the culture can be transformed into the way Jesus taught us to live and work together.”

For some, Kirk’s killing and other recent events have been a call to action in spiritual faith.

“We are seeing increased awareness of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and that has led to an increased understanding of what the church should be and do,” Hill said. “We are not another social club with closed doors except for members. Rather, we are the hands and feet of Jesus to a world that is searching for a different kind of hope than the world offers. In other words, modern day disciples in this time and place as we journey with Christ and one another.”

“Back to Church Sunday” is also a chance for some to find the correct path in life.

“My recommendation for those persons looking for answers and direction in life is look at what you place as your priority in life,” Hill said. “I believe real satisfaction is not to be always looking to what is best for me, but rather, look to Jesus’ example of sacrificial love. The ‘what’s in it for me’ attitude only leads to division and personal frustration. The Scriptures provide the best guidebook to a satisfying life both now and in eternity.”

The return of parishioners to Ellen Chapel will be recognized with another homecoming — the return of the Aurand School bell.

“The Ellen Chapel church feels blessed with the generosity of the Kochenderfer family in returning the bell to its original home in Ferguson Valley, Hill said. “Sometimes God provides those unexpected blessings that remind us of His continued providence.”

A chance to come home. “Back to Church Sunday” will be Oct. 19 at Ellen Chapel Church, 11764 Ferguson Valley Rd., Lewistown. Worship begins at 10:30 a.m.