Tifton's Peace

I wrote this poem, per a request by my mother.  My grandparents helped start a church, and I am so blessed to say they are still alive to celebrate 50 years of Peace Lutheran Church in Tifton, GA, next month.  Someone will read this poem that I wrote at the celebration. Let me know what you think!

Tifton's Peace

By: Stephanie M. Pilkenton, copyright 7/22/2012

Let me tell you a story,

About a small town in 1962.

Five families formed the first Lutheran church in Tifton,

In an old building on Love Avenue.

With Reverend Norman Smith as their Missionary

And the Holy Trinity on their side,

Their church family grew stronger,

And together purchased land to build their church in 1965.

Reverends James Byork and David Krause

In 1970 and 74 were installed, 

And In 1980, 

Reverend Earl Steffens was called.

On Tennessee Drive, in Tifton,

Peace Lutheran Church stands.

And the people inside

Still serve as God's feet and God's hands.

A fire forced the walls to change,

There's a day school to serve community need,

And the people always greet you with a smile,

Sharing the peace with others, God's love and mercy to feed.

This place is very dear to me;

My mother's family were one of the first five. 

Fifty years ago this year they started meeting there,

And have taken me to services as long as I've been alive.

So if you are ever down in Georgia,

And you want to hear "This is the feast"

Stop on by mile marker sixty four in Tifton,

And visit Tifton's Peace.