The Salvation Army of Tamaqua held a Celebration of Service worship this past weekend as the organization transitions from a corps community center to a service center. It was the last church service at the facility.

Officials said this change is taking place due to a lack of funding and donations. Social services will continue following this transition, yet the church services that have been taking place since 1886 will end.

Those who still wish to attend Salvation Army religious services in the area can still do so at Pottsville and Hazleton locations.

The Sunday service included hymns played by the church band in addition to prayers, Scripture readings and sermons led by Pastors Maj. Gayle Luby and Capt. John Luby as well as previous corps officers in attendance.

Those who participated were able to do so in person with limited availability due to COVID-19 as well as through a livestream on the Tamaqua Salvation Army Facebook page.

COVID-19 precautions were taken in person including socially distanced seating arrangements, a temperature check upon arrival and hand sanitizer stations throughout the building.

Corps officers who served as pastors at the Salvation Army of Tamaqua in the past expressed their thoughts regarding the change both by speaking at the service or through letters written to and read by Maj. Luby.

“To see the worship service end is sad, yet it is encouraging to know that The Salvation Army will continue to provide service to Tamaqua in Jesus’ name. I believe that this building was, and is still ordained by God, a building of His Kingdom. It was dedicated to the service and glory of God,” wrote Maj. Diane Heburn, who served at the church from 1995 until 2008.

Capts. Gary and Joyce Thornton, who served at the church from 2008 until 2010, wrote a letter regarding the change, “We continue to pray for each of you and take joy in that there will still be a presence of The Salvation Army in the community of Tamaqua.”

The Thorntons continued, “This occasion is met with much sadness, but you’ve been faithful through much difficulty and God will honor that. For those who stood by us in our time there, we are truly thankful. We shared joy, sorrows and we have leaned on each other. We experienced great success that we give the glory to God. Please know that you are very special to us and are part of us. Stay faithful and God will see you through.”

Divisional Commander Lt. Col. Larry Ashcraft spoke in person at the service, expressing to congregants that it was OK to be unsure at this time and that God would lead them to where they are meant to go next following the loss of services.

“It’s easy to get lost, but it’s assuring to know when we’re anxious and we’re not sure what is next that the promise of Scripture says that when we call upon the Lord he answers and he leads us to the paths we ought to go,” Ashcraft said. “You may be wondering what’s next and you may be wondering what path you’re going to go down. The sign posts are there, the word will guide you, but more importantly, I say to you today that the Heavenly Father knows and he has a plan. He has a plan for you, he has a plan for me and he has a plan for this place. … So today, dear friends, we wait for the chapter to the safety, to where the Holy Spirit will take us and He will bring us safely there.”

Ashcraft presented Major and Captain Luby with a plaque congratulating and thanking them for their service on behalf of the divisional headquarters and the Tamaqua community.

As the service neared its conclusion, Capt. Luby encouraged the congregation to have faith in God during this uncertain time and move forward toward the next chapter of their lives.

“We don’t know where we will next meet. For many of us, that’s a little disconcerting, but the decision to go was done through much prayer, was not made lightly and was done in the full faith and trust in God. … Now we move on in another chapter in our lives,” Luby said.

“We don’t know where we’re going and we don’t know what kind of congregation we are going to choose, but we have our faith in a God who has faith in us because He knows us. He knows what you are going to do and loves you no matter what.”

Cathy Johnston, a local Tamaqua resident, has been attending the services at The Salvation Army since the ’90s. She noted that her favorite part of attending during all of these years was listening and singing along with the church band.

In the future, Johnston plans to attend The Salvation Army of Pottsville, although she expressed sadness regarding the end of the Tamaqua location’s services.

“I wish it could continue and I wish we could still have it, but that’s the way it goes.”

To view the recorded worship service or learn more about The Salvation Army of Tamaqua, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TamaquaSalvationArmy.