Redmond Presbyterian Church Announces 50th Anniversary Legacy Celebrations

 

Events to honor church’s founding, five decades of ministries and service in the community

 

Redmond, WA – Redmond Presbyterian Church (RPC) today announced plans to celebrate its 50^th anniversary with special events taking place throughout April and May. The church was founded in 1965 on a 3-acre site atop Redmond's Education Hill and today has a vibrant, multigenerational congregation of over 250 members and friends. Read More >>

 

“We are very excited for this milestone and so grateful for all those who have been a part of this church over the past 50 years, providing Christian formation training, caring fellowship, while serving those in need in the surrounding community on the Eastside,” said Rev. Dr. Larry Grounds, Senior Pastor at RPC. “We have much to celebrate as we reflect on our legacy and contributions to this flourishing community. At the same time, this is also an exciting opportunity for us to look to the future and discern the path forward for where God wants us to go in the next 50 years.”

 

50^th Anniversary Legacy Celebrations

During April and May, RPC is planning a variety of special worship services and other activities to celebrate its anniversary. The events will be held at RPC (10020 166^th Avenue NE ) and are open to all who would like to attend. RPC welcomes visitors to all of its services year round.

 

Sunday, April 12: Guest preacher Rev. Gary Barckert (RPC’s second senior pastor), 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. worship services.

Sunday, April 19: Guest preacher Rev. Al Gephardt (RPC’s third senior pastor), 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. worship services.

Sunday, April 26: 50th Anniversary Legacy Celebration  

• 10:00 AM Worship Service (including traditional and contemporary music/all former pastors of RPC) followed by an all-church shared feast in the Upper Room

1:00 PM Remembering Our Past: slideshow of historical pictures and fond memories from former RPC pastors in the Sanctuary

Saturday, May 9: Ladies Annual Tea “Legacy Celebration” in the Upper Room (12:00 PM)

Sunday, May 17: 50th Anniversary Talent/No Talent Show in Sanctuary (2:00 PM)

Sunday, May 31: 50th Anniversary Music “Big Band and Standard Piano Favorites”

featuring Mike Smith, to be held in the Sanctuary (7:00 PM)

 

The Church’s Beginnings

In 1963, the Presbytery of Seattle approved the call of Rev. J. Graley Taylor to be pastor of a new church in Redmond, and the first worship service was held on March 8, 1964 at the Redmond Elementary School. Redmond United Presbyterian Church, as it was known at its founding, held its first service in its newly built sanctuary on April, 1965, and Rev. Taylor served as organizing pastor until 1968. Since then, RPC has had four senior pastors.

 

Expansion

In 2002, concerned it was outgrowing its classroom space for Sunday School and other activities, the church expanded with a new $1.6 million Christian Education Building on its property, which today serves a variety of uses for the church. After the expansion, RPC registered through the American Red Cross as an emergency shelter for the city of Redmond.

 

Dedicated to Mission Work, Giving Back

Throughout its history, RPC has served the community in a variety of ways, volunteering and providing donations in support of ministries and mission in King County and around the globe. Last year, the church served over 600 meals to the homeless, delivered almost 850 pounds of groceries to a Redmond food bank and 27 bags of clothing to the homeless in our community. Altogether RPC mission teams supported and worked with 19 local and global charities, including Hopelink Redmond Food Bank, Mary’s Place serving homeless women in Seattle, Habitat for Humanity of East King County, Operation Christmas Child, Eastside CROP Hunger Walk and Ten Thousand Villages, among others.

 

RPC also sponsors an apartment at YWCA Redmond Family Village, decorating and supplying the apartment with basic necessities, including school supplies and new school clothes, for local families in need.

 

“RPC’s focus on mission allows our church family to use their time, talents and resources to share Christ’s love in our community and throughout the world,” explains Barbara Taylor, Mission and Social Concerns Elder.

 

Another way RPC gives back is by opening its doors to not-for-profit groups in the Redmond area. In 2006, RPC became the Charter Organization for Boy Scout Troop 520, which still meets regularly at the church and today has more than 80 members. RPC also provides space for a local 4-H group, the Samaritan Counseling Center, and the Rivertrail Homeowner’s Association.

 

“Caring for the needs of people in the broader community has always been a staple in the church’s DNA,” Grounds added.

 

RPC offers Worship, Sunday School, and adult education each Sunday Morning, with traditional worship at 9:00 a.m. and contemporary worship at 11:15 a.m. During summer, the church holds one combined service beginning at 10:00 a.m.