PAXINOS - The 51st annual Service at the Cross will be held a mile up Paxinos Mountain at 2:30 p.m. Easter Saturday, April 7.
The service, presented by the Boy Scout Troop 250 and will be opened by Harvey Buriak, former Scoutmaster, with the help of John Miller, former Explorer adviser, and Kevin Shervinskie, former Scoutmaster.
This year's speaker will be David Kyllonen, of Dillsburg. He was born in Monessen, but spent most of his time growing up in New Kensington.
In 1954 to 1958, he attended Central Bible College in Springfield, Mo. His roommate at school was Ted Heitzman, of Shamokin. He and Heitzman remain good friends today.
Kyllonen joined the Couriers gospel singing group in 1955. After graduating in 1958, he moved to Harrisburg. The original members of the group, Dave, Duane and Neil, are still singing together today. The message, the sound and the people are the same. All three factors have become their trademark, assuring those who hear them of their stability and dependability at the close of their appearances.
He has written three books, "Out of the Ordinary," "Our Final Quarter" and "Listen, Mom's Praying Again."
Kyllonen is the chaplain of a new Christian radio station, 91.3, in Carlisle, where his program, "It's Still Good News Today," is heard Monday through Friday. He also preaches on the Trucker's Telephone Church, a nationwide network that allows truckers to attend church while driving via their cell phones.
Kyllonen and his wife of 53 years have three daughters, who have all married preachers. They have two grandsons, who are also preachers, and six granddaughters, all wanting to marry preachers. In the last last year, two great-grandchildren have joined his family.
These ministry commitments have stood the test of time and keep the integrity that is crucial to be a Christian witness.
Special music as the service will be presented by Ed Heitzman, of Heitzman's Radiator, Glass and Parts, in Shamokin.
Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at Clark's Grove United Methodist Church, in Irish Valley, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and follow John Miller up the township road that leads to the cross. A parking area is available along the road and transportation will be provided from that point to the cross.
The service will be followed by fellowship around an open camp fire and roasting hot dogs, sponsored by the Boy Scouts.