Al and Julie Hack would have a hard time forgetting the Maundy Thursday evening service held in 1951 at Plymouth Congregational Church.

That was when a group of Plymouth’s new members were to be recognized and formally welcomed into the church at 925 Vt.

The Hacks had to leave the service early, but at least they had a good reason.

“Our daughter Cary elected to be born at about the same time, so we couldn’t stay long enough that Thursday night (to officially join). Dale Turner, who was our pastor, came out to the hospital three days later, and we had a little ceremony,” said Al Hack, 79.

“We’ve told that story so many times,” he added, chuckling.

During Sunday worship services, the Hacks will be among 58 people recognized and honored for their membership of 50 years or more in the congregation.

Plymouth Church annually honors longtime members during a worship service, which is followed by a big Thanksgiving dinner – typically feeding about 500 people – held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the fellowship hall and the basement under the sanctuary.

In the mind of the Rev. Peter Luckey, the church’s senior pastor, the recognition of members and the Thanksgiving meal naturally go hand in hand.

“Thanksgiving is a day of remembering our blessings and giving thanks. On this day, we’ll remember and give thanks for some amazing people who’ve been so faithful and given so generously to this community for many years,” he said.

All of the 58 members who will be singled out for praise are invited to attend the 9:30 a.m. worship service.

Plymouth Congregational Church will honor 58 of its members who have belonged to the church for 50 years or more. Peg Phelps (a member since 1946), left, Danny Drury (1949), Jim Drury (1949), Hazel Anderson (1935), Barbara Murphy (1949), Margaret Harwood (1937) and George Learned (1936) will be among those recognized during Sunday's worship services at Plymouth Congregational.

Each one will have a reserved seat in front of the sanctuary and will receive a carnation. All of their names will be read, and each person will be invited to stand.

In 2002, nine people have been added to the list of those who have been active members for 50-plus years.

Luckey explained one reason for the increase in the number of members joining the ranks of this group.

“Fifty years ago at Plymouth Church, there was a very popular pastor named Dale Turner. The years from 1948 to 1958, when he served, were years of substantial growth. We’re still receiving the benefits of his ministry,” Luckey said.

Why recognize the church’s senior members?

“It’s important to honor our past and honor the people who have given so much of their lives to their church. These members, and this recognition, inspires all of us as we look to the future,” he said.

Among the names being read during the Sunday service are those of Curtis and Cleda Dalton, who were married in 1941 and joined Plymouth Church the same year.

For Curtis Dalton, 82, there was simply no question where he would go to church as an adult.

“My mother and father both went there before I was born, and I was on the cradle roll. I did abandon (Plymouth) for a short time when I was going with a girl who was an Episcopalian. I sang in the choir at her church, but that didn’t last very long,” he said.

The Daltons, like the Hacks, are planning to attend the service in which longtime members will be honored. (The Hacks have no plans to leave early this time.)

Over the past 61 years, the Daltons were never tempted to shop around for another church.

“It’s just that we like the people. We feel a part of it, even though we don’t always agree (with a pastor) on something. Our daughters have both been married there; it’s been a wonderful thing,” Cleda Dalton said.

“Sometimes we were a little unhappy with some of the ministers, but nothing stays the same. Pretty soon, they’re gone, and we’re still here.”