PAXINOS - The public is invited to worship at the annual Easter service at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at "The Old Rugged Cross," on the mountaintop overlooking Route 61.
This is the 54th year the cross has been on the mountain, and the 29th year services have been held there.
Under the direction of John Miller, former Explorer adviser, Scouts erected the first cross on the mountain in 1961. Miller has never missed an Easter service at the cross, and also takes frequent hikes to visit it during the year. The original cross stood for 25 years until the weather took its toll and it had to be replaced.
In 1986, under the direction of Scoutmaster Harvey Buriak, Scouts raised a new cross. Beginning that year, generator-fueled floodlights were used to illuminate the cross for Easter weekend.
Mike Shevitski, current Scoutmaster, said Scouts are still trying to improve the area on the mountain around the cross so the community of all faiths can worship together and keep an Easter tradition alive. The Boy Scouts' Easter service keeps growing. As many as 345 people attended the 2013 service, and last year, 330 were in attendance.
Shevitski advised attendees to dress for the weather. It is an outdoor service with some stadium bleachers for seating, but some still may like to bring a folded chair or sit on the ground.
"Don't wear your Easter best, keep that for Sunday morning," he said.
Guest speaker
This year's speaker is Chris Bingaman, of Kreamer. Bingaman has been married to his wife, Heidi, for 35 years, and they have four daughters, Emily, Lindsey, Leah and Audrey. In 1976, he joined his father in the family business, Bingaman & Son Lumber, which was established by his father and grandfather in 1968. Chris serves as vice president of sales, directing the company's domestic and international sales from lumber produced at four Pennsylvania facilities which account for 35 million feet of lumber per year. The lumber is shipped to 34 different countries.
In 1992, Bingaman was diagnosed with cancer, but thanks to a bone marrow transplant from his sister, he is now cancer free. He is an elder in the Sunbury City Church. From his experience, he wrote a book, "The Promise of God's Presence," and has appeared on the national radio broadcasts of "Back to the Bible" in Lincoln, Neb., with Woodrow Crowl, and "Focus on the Family" in Colorado Springs, Colo., with Jim Dobson. He now wants to tell the world of his faith and trust in the Lord.
Those who do not know how to reach the cross should meet at 1 p.m. at the Clark's Grove Church in Irish Valley, and follow Miller up the mountain road.
Buriak will open the service with the help of Miller and Kevin Shervinskie, former Scoutmaster. Special music will be provided by Ed Heitzman, co-owner of Heitzman's Radiator, Glass and Parts Inc., of Shamokin. One of the Scouts, Dexter Haight, will close the service and invite everyone to walk to the campsite for a hot dog roast over an open campfire.