NEDERLAND - Members of the three churches in Nederland—Nederland Community Presbyterian Church, Calvary Chapel, and St. Rita Catholic Church—came together with members of the community for an outdoor worship service at Chipeta Park on August 10. 

It was a time to gather as a community and recognize that the area schools will be back in session.

Those present donated to a love offering totaling $533, which will be divided among the parent teacher associations at Nederland Elementary School, Nederland Middle-Senior High School, and Chinook West High School.

The capacity crowd enjoyed favorite hymns, messages from Nederland Community Presbyterian Church’s Rev. Zach Hancock, St. Rita’s Worship Leader David Rasmussen, and Calvary Chapel’s Pastor Seth Baumhover; a Call to Worship offered by educator Sara Sandstrom; a Responsive Reading by retired teacher Jeannette Smith; and Scripture readings by students Eden Baumhover and Frances Hancock.

Local students and educators were honored at the service with a blessing offered by Rev. Hancock. Each student and educator was presented with a bookmark as a small gift offered with hopes for a successful, safe, and fun school year.