Smyrna times., 1933-04-12
PALM SUNDAY
AT CHURCHES
Rev. DR.. Johnson, the New
Pastor, Takes Hold at As
bury NJ. E. Church
IMPRESSIVE PROGRAMS

Palm Sunday was observed with
special emphasis at all the Smyrna
churches and large congregations
turned out at all services. At As
bury M. E. Church the Rev. DR.. j.
L. Johnson, the new pastor, was
greeted by a large morning con
gregation. His first Sunday as
pastor was an impressive one not
only to him but the congregation
as well. The choir rendered spec
ial anthems appropriate to Palm
Sunday and Mr.. w. o. Hoffecker
sang THE Palms" The evening
service was turned over to the Sun
day School which rendered a spec
ial evening program. Rev. DIR
Johnson preached a fine dis
course on THE Power of His Pres
ence" and made an excellent inn
preston with his congregation. Dr.
Johnson made no reference to his
coming to Smyrna before his ser
mon as his church Bulletin placed
in every pew, had his pastoral
greeting as follows: In accepting
the appointment as pastor of AS
bury Methodist Episcopal Church,
1 am sensible of a great response
bility and appreciative of a tre-
mendous opportunity. To be the
successor of so good and true a
man as Essell p. Thomas is an
honor Angels might covet. AS the
Fathers representative he has
guided your efforts into fields of
largest usefulness and built for
himself a monument in your hearts
as immovable as the eternal hills
l do not want you to love him less,
for he is worthy of your largest
confidence and tenderest affections.
To you, in large measure, I am
a stranger. / come not to begin a
new task but to take up the work
where he left it off. I covet your
sympathy, your cooperation, your
council and your prayers. My mis-
sion is to serve" 1 want to help
you with your burdens, share your
sorrows, sympathize with you in
your defeats, rejoice with you in
your successes and shout with you
in the hours of your greatest vic
tories. We covet a place in the af-
fections and love of every member
and friend of this great church.
To the cause Of making it greater
than it now is, we shall dedicate
the strength of our bodies, the
vision of our minds, the power Of
our wills and the emotions of our
souls. 1 plead for the earnest CO.
operation of every member and
friend of this church, in every
cause that has for its purpose the
promotion Of the Fathers glory
and the salvation Of Souls"
st. Peters Beautifully Dressed
st. Peters Church was the
scene of a very beautiful service.
The altar and sanctuary beautiful
ly dressed with purple hyacinths,
and palms, both given as memoir
ials and previously blessed. The
vested choir carried sprays of
palm in Procession and rendered
special music. Mr.. A. L. Leader
sang, in his usual splendid voice.
"The Palms" which was enjoyed
by all and was a reminder of our
preparation for the joy of Easter.
The sermon of the rector, the Rev
Frederick Marx Barton. was in
keeping with the day.
Palm Sunday With Presbyterians
At the Presbyterian Church the
service was marked by the admis-
sion of a class of five new members
to the church. This was a most
impressive part of the Palm Sun
day services. Rev. w. ]. Bone
preached a strong sermon appro-
pirate to Palm Sunday and the
choir rendered Appropriate anthems.
The church was beautifully decor
n