MISSOURI—Thirty-one Philadelphia Church of God members from the St. Louis area along with several visitors gathered at Horner Park in Lebanon, Illinois, on August 13 for pickleball, cornhole, boardgames, softball and a barbecue at the congregation’s annual Church picnic.

The members held a pickleball tournament before lunch. The Braswell’s, who had been honing their skills since last year’s picnic, became the new champions.

Member Mark Zollner said, “We had a beautiful breeze blowing while we played pickleball.” He said the day was “just perfect: the weather, the fellowship, and the food.”

After a lunch hot of the grill, members competed in a cornhole tournament, where the Stepter brothers held out as the champions for another year. Members talked and played Scrabble and other board games, while children played on the swings and playground equipment. After a softball game, the member’s finished the picnic snacking on cold sliced watermelon.

Member Tony Stepter said, “Everyone just seemed to be overjoyed today because we were all together as a family.”