Founding pastors returning to Palmer church for celebration

PALMER -- The Matanuska Assembly of God is hosting "Heritage Sunday," on Sept. 16, and the founding pastors of the church will be on hand for a special presentation.

The Rev. Dale and Mary Umphrey are returning to the church for a special slide presentation. The Umphreys were the founding pastors of the Matanuska Assembly of God.

The Umphreys pastored at Matanuska Assembly of God for 17 years before leaving the church six years ago.

Church officials said the "Heritage Sunday" is a time for celebrating the past and looking forward to the bright future.

The Umphreys will be sharing the history of the beginning of Matanuska Assembly of God, with a slide show that details how the church grew from a three-family congregation meeting in the old Palmer Depot building to the current location, at 12801 Arctic Ave. in downtown Palmer.

The church is also looking for people who have comments of appreciation for the Umphreys, or any special memories of the early beginnings of the Matanuska Assembly of God. People are encouraged to contact the church at 745-2540 or 746-2540 before Tuesday, Sept. 11 with their comments.

Matanuska Assembly of God offers several services to its congregation.

Communion starts at 9 a.m. each Sunday, with Sunday School beginning at 9:30 a.m. Church services follow at 10:45 a.m. every Sunday.

There is a weekday service at 7 p.m. every Wednesday.