On the first Saturday of each month at 5pm the sounds of Bluegrass music can be heard wafting out of the historic meeting house (1845) of the Rocheport, Missouri Christian Church. The meeting house, one of the oldest among Disciples congregations, has been occupied continuously since it was chartered in 1837. At one time the Missouri river town was the trailhead of the westward movement, a center for pioneers and commerce. Alexander Campbell once preached in the Rocheport church.
Now the sleepy town is populated by Bed and Breakfasts, antique shops and sits at one of the junctions of the famous Katy Trail bike path that spans Missouri from east to west.
Pastor Mickey Havener of the Rocheport congregation and Pastor Tim Carson of Broadway Christian Church in Columbia, Missouri, partnered their congregations to create the new Bluegrass Sabbath service. It is attracting the interest of Bluegrass musicians and appreciators from all around central Missouri and bringing new life to the small Rocheport congregation.
The formula is simple: A lot of congregational gospel song, some preaching and open communion. The meeting house was nearly filled to capacity for its very first service, February 5, one the snowiest days of the year. Well-known Disciples Bluegrass musicians of Boonville, Missouri, Dave Para and Cathy Barton, led the music.
Submitted by Tim Carson, Pastor
Broadway Christian Church, Columbia, Missouri
5732569303
Offering received Sept. 26 & Oct. 3