BUTLER TWP Since the time of victory gardens and sugar rations, Dorothy Jordan has had a heart for serving her church.

Jordan, 100, of Butler Township in 1943 joined the group of Christians that formed the Fundamental Baptist Church in Butler. The group later became New Testament Baptist Church on North Duffy Road.

Jordan celebrated her 100th birthday March 2 and is still filling a key role in the church's Sunday morning routine. Every week, she passes out church bulletins to members of the congregation as they come in for Sunday school and the morning service.

The Rev. Steve Fisher, pastor of New Testament, said Jordan's service began more than two years ago after he preached on service.

She said to him, "Those Sunday bulletins shouldn't just sit there. I should be there to hand them out."

"She stands there every week. She doesn't miss," Fisher said. "What a great lady!"

Fisher also said Jordan's "recall is phenomenal." Sometimes she calls him to tell him details surrounding an event in the church's history that he is curious about. He jokes that he's not even half her age yet can't remember details like she does.

"I just love my church. I like the people," Jordan said. "They just preach the gospel and the old hymns are sung."

The petite lady with the soft voice cheerfully says good morning to each person who enters the church foyer on Sunday mornings and hands each a bulletin with that week's announcements.

Jordan said she's suggested the church rotate greeters so she's not the only one that gets to greet, but the pastor wants to keep her where she is.

"The pastor said it's my job," Jordan said.

She gets a ride each Sunday morning from a lady in the congregation. They arrive at the church about 30 minutes before Sunday school begins so Jordan can be ready at her post.

Fisher said, "She's just friendly. She's known for her friendliness and her faithfulness."

Among Jordan's many past roles at the church was Sunday school teacher. For many years, she taught the seventh and eighth grade girls class.

"One of the girls married a boy in the church and has been in the church for years. We hug every time we see each other," Jordan said. Many of the girls she once taught in their adolescence are now grandmothers.

She sang in the church's first choir and worked in vacation Bible school countless summers.

Until recently, Jordan also served by folding and stamping gospel tracts for church members to hand out in the community.

Still living independently in her modest and tidy home, Jordan spends much of her day keeping house and spending time in daily Bible reading and prayer.

She has read her Bible through at least 50 years in a row, she said.

Fisher said, "We try to snow plow for her, but her neighbors and her son take care of that. As far as housekeeping and cooking, it's Dorothy Jordan."

Jordan's son, Ron, of Penn Township and her son, Larry, of Ohio do their part in taking care of their mother.

Ron and his wife take her shopping every week and to get her hair done. "We take her to the doctor. We get together for all the holidays," he said.

He said that he has suggested that she move in with him and his wife, "but she's happy doing what she's doing."

Larry also helps out with household projects several times a year.

Jordan's husband Albert, who also was very active in the church, passed away in 1991.

She attributes her longevity to her family and to God's blessing on her life.

"My sons are Christians and they love their wives they love their families. They don't cause me any worry," she said.

Ron said he credits his mother's life "to the Lord and her faithfulness to him. They (his parents) were just good Christian examples."

"I guess my work for the Lord isn't over. That's all," Dorothy Jordan said. "It's amazing to me that I've made it this far."

"Just keep serving God. Read his word," she said.