First Baptist Church in Chester is host of the community-wide event
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The First Baptist Church in Chester was host of the 2025 Community Thanksgiving Service in Chester. A long time event was resurrected by FBC in Chester last year after a brief stagnation period, likely caused, in part, by the COVID-19 Pandemic several years ago.
The event grew this year to include participants from the First Baptist Church in Chester, Grace Church of Chester, the First United Methodist Church of Chester, and the Family Worship Center of Chester.
An almost capacity crowd arrived at First Baptist in Chester long before the start time of 6:30 p.m. Attendees from most all churches in Chester filled the pews for the event which featured performers and guest speakers from across the entire City of Chester.
The event began with a warm welcome and opening prayer from Pastor Rev. Dr. Mike Fogerson of the First Baptist Church. In his usual warm and friendly manner, Fogerson made everyone feel welcome and prepared them for a wonderful Thanksgiving Program.
The event began with a three-song set of praise music performed by the First Baptist Church Praise Band which featured both musicians and vocalists who entertained for approximately 15 minutes of beautiful music.
The musical repertoire included, “I Thank God”, “I’m So Blessed”, and “If I Got Jesus, I Got it All” (The Doxology). As usual, the lively and spirited performance had guests on their feet throughout their entire performance.
Members of the FBC Praise Band include Montana Rose-Fogerson, Ridge Fogerson, Guitar & Vocals; Mike Fogerson, Guitar and Vocals; Rusty Mathis, Bass Guitar; Billy Rose, Percussion; Pam Fogerson, Keyboards; and on Vocals, Kelli Hathaway, Brenda Williamson, Emily Gruenewald, Grace Kirkpatrick, and little Saige Peters.
Second on the program was Pastor John Chamness of the Family Worship Center in Chester. He was joined on the Altar by his lovely wife, Gracie who made the duo complete. Both John and Gracie are well known musicians who have entertained in the area for years.
John accompanied the two featured songs on guitar and both John and Gracie harmonized their vocals to perfection. John added bits of a religious messages throughout the performance in his typical warm and loving manner. His deep and sincere voice made the performance complete.
A brief video vignette followed the Chamness Family performance, after which Pastor Fogerson led the congregation in a community-Wide Communion Service. Upon entering the Sanctuary for the service, Baptist Deacon, Don Berry, gave everyone the elements of bread and wine (grape juice) for the communion. The elements were naturally housed in a plastic container.
At the appropriate time in Pastor Fogerson’s message, he asked participants to take the bread and wine (juice). Although only a brief communion service, Pastor Fogerson did a wonderful and meaningful job of bringing everyone together for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and Thanksgiving Service.
The First United Methodist Church in Chester provided two performances for the program. First was a solo performed by Jay Cooper. Jay sang, “Thank You”. He was accompanied by Vicky Beers on piano. Beers is the Music Director and Worship Chairperson at FUMC, Chester.
Next, Pastor Betty Gengler, of the First United Methodist Church in Chester, recited a poem that she wrote titled, “Thank GOD, When I Jump Out of Bed.” This poem provided both a bit of humor and serious nature for the congregation. Both Pastor Betty Gengler and Jay Cooper focused their performances on thankfulness everyone should have for God’s Mercy and Grace at Thanksgiving.
To close out the service, the Grace Church Praise Band took center stage and performed three musical selections. First was, “The King is in the Room”, followed by “Echo Holy”, and O Come All Ye Faithful (His Name Shall Be). This was a moving, energetic medley of songs that had everyone on their feet throughout the entire performance.
Members of the group included Krista Krieg on Guitar and vocals; Jeff Krieg, on percussion and vocals; Jon Brown on keyboard and vocals, and Jeremy and Ashley Homan, on vocals.
Associate Pastor Ridge Fogerson, of the First Baptist Church in Chester, provided a wonderful Closing Prayer to the service. Ridge is both Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor at FBC in Chester and just graduated with a Master’s Degree in Divinity. He will now be serving at FBC on a full time basis.
The 2025 Thanksgiving Praise and Prayer Service was deemed to be a huge and very worshipful event for the community of Chester and will hopefully return again in November of 2026.
Pastor Mike Fogerson of the First Baptist Church in Chester welcomed everyone to his church for the 2025 Community-Wide Thanksgiving Service Monday November 24, Fogerson also gave the opening Prayer along with a brief Thanksgiving Message and later in the service he led the congregation in a Thanksgiving Communion Service. Jim Beers Photo
The First Baptist Church Praise Band performed three songs in the service including, “I Thank GOG”, “I’m So Blessed”, and “If I Got Jesus, I Got it all” (The Doxology).
. Jim Beers Photo
Saige Peters, the youngest member of the Baptist Church Praise Band, sings her heart out at the 2025 Community Thanksgiving Service, Monday November 24. Petrs is the 4th Grade daughter of Jarrod and Casey Peters. Jim Beers Photo
Pastor John Chamness of the Family Worship Center in Chester, and his wife Gracie, performed two songs at the 2025 Community-Wide Thanksgiving Service. John accompanied the music with his guitar and the two harmonized beautifully as they brought a wonderful Thanksgiving message to the congregation. Jim Beers Photo
Pastor Betty Gengler, of the First United Methodist Church in Chester, was one of the five local Pastors who help bring the messages at the 2025 Community-Wide Thanksgiving Service hosted at the First Baptist Church in Chester. Gengler recited an original poem that she had written titled, “Thank GOD, When I Jump Out of Bed.” Her recital included both comedic and serious aspects to her Thanksgiving message. Pastor Gengler is new to the FUMC, Chester and is enjoying getting involved in community events and serving the First United Methodist Church in Chester. Jim Beers Photo
Jay Cooper, a relatively new face to the community of Chester, has been a regular attendee at the First United Methodist Church in Chester, and has enjoyed contributing his excellent vocal talents with FUMC, Chester. Cooper volunteered to perform a song titled, “Thank You”, for the 2025 Community-Wide Thanksgiving Service and brought tears to the eyes of many of the congregational members with his performance. His performance was accompanied by FUMC Music Director and accompanist, Vicky Beers. Cooper is a much-welcomed addition to the congregation of the First United Methodist Church in Chester. Jim Beers Photo
The Grace Church Praise Band helped to close the 2025 Community-Wide Thanksgiving Service with their performance of a three-song medley of songs including, “The King is in the Room”, “Echo Holy”, and O Come All Ye Faithful (His Name Shall Be). The performance had everyone on their feet and praising the name of Jesus. Grace Pastor, Jon Brown, performed with the group on Keyboards and added his vocal talents. Jeff Krieg player percussion and his wife, Krista Krieg, played guitar and sang lead vocals on much of the performance. Jeremy and Ashley Homan added their vocal skills to the performance. Jim Beers Photo
Ridge Fogerson, Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church in Chester, leaves the Altar after giving the Closing Prayer at the 2025 Community-Wide Thanksgiving Service Monday November 24. Ridge just graduated Friday December 5 with a master’s degree in divinity. He will now serve full time at First Baptist Church in Chester as Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor for the church. He is the son of Mike and Pam Fogerson and husband of Montana (Rose) Fogerson. Jim Beers Photo
Members of the Grace Church Praise Band, Ashley Homan, Jeff Krieg, and Jeremy Homan, get the congregation involved during one of the three songs the band performed at the Community-Wide Thanksgiving Service in Chester. Jim Beers Photo “Grace” Praise Band close up.
Members of the First Baptist Church Praise Band help open the Community-Wide Thanksgiving Service Monday November 24. The event was hosted by the FBC in Chester and the Praise Band did a wonderful job of filling the hearts of the large crowd at the service with lots of Thanksgiving Spirit. Pictured (Left to Right) are Kelly Hathaway and Montana (Rose) Fogerson. In the background on percussion is Billy Rose. Jim Beers Photo
Several members of the First United Methodist Church in Chester attended and participated in the 2025 Community-Wide Thanksgiving Service hosted by the First Baptist Church in Chester. The event was held Monday November 24. Pictured (Left to Right) are Jay Cooper, Pastor Betty Gengler, Sue Dildine, Dr, Jim Beers, and Vicky Beers. Present but not pictured were Bob and Pat Koenegstein, Donna Clendenin, and Gwendy Garner. Photo by Jenny Brown