NORTH DAKOTA—Thirty-six members of the Dakota congregations of the Philadelphia Church of God, along with eight visiting members from Oklahoma, gathered at a Bismarck park on July 24 for their annual picnic.

The temperature was expected to be 95 degrees with humidity. However, the temperature cooled to a perfect 77 degrees with mild sunshine and a gentle breeze.

“It was great to be together with brethren and God’s ministry at a beautiful park,” deacon Gerry Frederick said.

At the park at the southern edge of North Dakota’s capitol, adjacent to the Missouri river, members played Frisbee, horseshoes and wacky games while others conversed under the shade of towering cottonwood trees.