Sullivan UMC—J. Michael Smith
Note: Today has been a “throw away” day for me, as I had one of my eye injections (for retinal problems) earlier today. I get the injections every seven weeks, and am wiped out for the rest of the day—along with having trouble seeing, usually until the next morning. Today was one of my better recoveries. It must be the attraction of getting up in order to write this post!
Holy Week Services
THIS WEEK: Palm Sunday, this coming Sunday, March 29—Friendship Hall at 9:30 a.m. and Sanctuary at 11 a.m. Palm branches at both services.
FOLLOWING WEEK: Maundy Thursday worship in the sanctuary at 7 p.m. (April 2)
EASTER DAY: One worship service at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary. (April 5)
Yesterday’s Joys and Concerns as Shared in Worship
- For the Middle East and the war there
- For all our troops who may be in danger
- For Kim Warren (accident)
- For Riley for healing (Kristen)
- Joys for Hadlee, Zola, and Lucille as their dance team got “high gold!”
- Joy for a good cardiologist report for great-grand-daughter Zuri (from Susan Connor)
- Joy that the UWF Easter egg making and sales are going well
- Joys and concerns for all the families of our church
- Joys for the beautiful weather
- Concerns for the family of Roger Daily
- Joys for Brent Mauck’s 29th birthday and for the family worshipping together today (parents Greg and Kim)
- Concerns for the family of Shelly Clagg Steele
Our Monthly History Story from our Church Historian
Rev. Hubert P. Lytle
By Janet Roney
The sixty-first pastor of our Sullivan First United Methodist church was Rev. Hubert P. Lytle. His gentle, humble demeanor and kindness made him a very effective and successful pastor. Our congregation responded to his patient leadership and experienced growth during his 1967-1973 pastorate.
Rev. Lytle was born in 1920 in rural Austin, Indiana, located south of scenic Brown County. He married his first wife, Ruth, who was from the same area, in 1944, possibly while serving in World War II. (I could not find details about his schooling, training for the ministry, and military service.) Their two children, David and Sylvia, were young adults when Rev. Lytle served Sullivan.
Several significant events occurred while Rev. Lytle was here. One was the dedication of the newly finished Lake Shelbyville. He gave the invocation at the lake dedication ceremony where the well-known performer Peter Palmer (Broadway’s “Little Abner” star) sang the national anthem and movie star Pat O’Brien gave a dramatic performance called “America”. Both were performing at the Little Theater on the Square in Sullivan at the time. Rev. Lytle helped the Sullivan Ministerial Association start the Lake Ministry who held religious services early Sunday mornings at the lake campgrounds for a number of years.
In 1971, our beautiful Kriisa organ was finished and dedicated. (Back in the April 1923 church newsletter, Ann Wheeler’s history of the church buildings described this very large and unique fifteen rank organ.)
Harry Kriisa was a refugee from Estonia following World War II, who carried on his family’s organ building skill in the United States. Organist Mary Shuman knew about him and helped convince our Board of Trustees to spend most of our bequest from the Anna Evans McKenzie estate on the organ building skills of Mr. Karissa. (My husband, Roger, cast the deciding vote!)
Another major event during Rev. Lytle’s pastorate was the construction of the “new” parsonage at 504 West Jackson Street beginning in 1971. Ann Wheeler’s church building history states: “This home was made possible by Mrs. Goldie Tucker who ‘provided a trust fund with the direction that it be used to provide and maintain a parsonage for the pastor of the First United Methodist Church.’ Mr. W. C. Ingram, trustee of the estate, oversaw her directions and the parsonage was built to ‘accommodate the special needs of parsonage families who may occupy it in the future.’ Lee Gatewood was the architect and Earl West the general superintendent.” (Church members Richard Shellabarger did the landscaping and Dunscomb’s Furniture did the interior décor.)
“Special features of the house included major appliances in the kitchen and laundry; desk chairs in the pastor’s study; an antique cherry bed and dresser in the northwest bedroom; various pieces of furniture; and a formal mirror in the living room, a gift from Alexander Lumber company.”
“The dedication and an open house were held on Sunday, March 19, 1972, with bishop Lance Webb conducting the service. On that day the first residents, Rev. Hubert Lytle and family, voiced the feelings of many in their personal welcome: ‘Since we are privileged to be the first residents of this splendid new parsonage, we are happy to welcome you on this joyous occasion…We will endeavor to make of this parsonage a home where Christ himself will feel welcome and comfortable, and to use it where possible, to further the ministry of His church in Sullivan.’ Since that day the parsonage has been used for meetings, receptions, open houses, and, of course, as the home for Methodist ministers and their families.” The joy of having this new parsonage was felt by the whole congregation as we met frequently in the basement for committee meetings and even church services.
Rev. Lytle was moved to Watseka from Sullivan where Ruth died in 1983. After his second wife died in 2006, he married a third time. He died in 2017 after a long and successful life serving Christ.
Repertoire 