Mount Hermon Church of the Brethren hosted its Fourth of July celebration on Sunday, July 6. Due to heavy rain, the fireworks portion of the event was canceled, but food and entertainment continued indoors, drawing many community members whose outdoor plans were washed out by the weather.
The event featured free hot dogs, ice cream, a performance by a local all-women gospel group called The Branches, and a heartfelt testimony from the Worley family, whose daughter Lauren survived a devastating drunk driving accident. Organizers said the purpose was to inspire the community and demonstrate love in action.
“Now, we don’t wanna preach to them, we wanna serve them and show them what love is,” said Pastor Noel Naff.
What started as a small fireworks gathering of about 20 people has grown into a full-scale event. Organizer Junior King said this year was expected to be the biggest yet.
“We’ve always had some fireworks, but not by a professional. But we’re rescheduling it—we’ll have that later on this summer,” King said.
In 2024, Mount Hermon also hosted a Christmas light walk-through.
“We always have something going on, being her side or our side,” said King. “You know, it’s stuff going on. We’re not gonna sit back and not have something. We’ve been accused of doing too much. But I don’t listen to that. I follow my heart. If it’s in my heart, we gotta do it somehow.”
The church recently merged with the Bassett Church of the Brethren. Leaders said they shared the same vision and wanted to better serve the community. A daycare program is now in development at the Bassett campus.
Mount Hermon also proudly offers Spanish-language services, led by Lupita Cruz-Ortiz.
“Our church is Monte Hermón, and we are one church—it is not two,” Cruz-Ortiz said. “We have been working together, and the vision is to be one church. We’re reaching out to the Hispanic and Spanish community.”
Spanish-language services are held Sundays at 2 p.m.
“We have people from Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, Venezuela, [and] Guatemala. So, it’s a very, very diverse community,” Cruz-Ortiz said.
English-language services are held Sundays at 10 a.m. Bible study is held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. for both English and Spanish speakers. The church also partners with The Redeemed, a bikers’ church, to help reach a broader audience.
“This is a place where we have people like Junior,” Naff said. “Pastors can only lead, but the people must do something and further the kingdom of God, turning the world upside down. You start with community.”
