Gloria Hargenrader was laughed at during the summer of 2006 when she told members of the church ladies’ group they needed to make 90 afghans by Christmas.

Especially since they didn’t know how to crochet or knit.

“I was so naïve … We didn’t make it,” Hargenrader said. Eighteen months later and they’re ready. Hargenrader used a small needle Tuesday to crochet around several colorfully knitted squares. As she worked to tie all the squares together, another woman knitted along to make afghan number 91.

The Livermore Falls Church of the Nazarene Ladies’ Group consisting of about eight people took lessons initially from Marie Tibbetts of Jay and later received some additional lessons from Beverly Townsend of Dixfield.

They came to the fellowship hall, sat in a circle around the fireplace and knitted and crocheted.

Ninety of the afghans are packed in the van, ready for delivery to a party for residents of the Genesis Health Care Sandy River Center in Farmington on Saturday.

The group was formed last year as a Bible study and worked with the book “Purpose-Driven Life,” a “manifesto for Christian living in the 21st century … a lifestyle based on eternal purposes, not cultural values” by Rick Warren, a pastor, according to the book’s official Web site.

Hargenrader, a pastor’s wife, said they reviewed God’s five purposes in the book, including to offer real worship, enjoy real fellowship, learn real discipleship, practice real ministry and live out real ministry.

That’s what started the conversation that led to the project they have done.

They asked themselves, “What can we do on purpose with a purpose?” Hargenrader said.

The group decided they would making afghans for the residents of the Farmington health care center and get out into the community to practice their ministry.

Joy Welch, a Sandy River Center staff scheduler, said that residents will love the afghans.

“I think it’s awesome. The residents sit around and reminisce about when they used to make afghans for their kids and themselves,” Welch said. “It’s such a warm feeling. It’s an old-fashioned Christmas gift that our residents used to give to their kids.”