Installation at Shawano, WI

The Rev. John E. Smith was installed as pastor of St. Martin Lutheran Church, Shawano, Wisconsin on September 19, 2004. The Rev. E. C. Frederick Stubenvoll, Jr. of Marinette, Wisconsin preached the sermon. The Rev. William Mack of Oshkosh, Wisconsin served as the liturgist and the Rev. Frederick Theiste of Eau Claire, Wisconsin performed the rite of installation. The congregation served a delicious lunch following the service.

Back Row (l to r): Reverends Martin Doepel, Tosten Skaaland, Leonard Pankow (WELS), Mark Rogers, Leonard Beulow, and Paul Sullivan. Front Row (l to r): Reverends Frederick Theiste, James Naumann (WELS), William Mack, John Smith, E. C. F. Stubenvoll, Jr., and Paul Anderson.

Lakewood Hosts Women's Missionary Rally

On September 29, 2004 Mrs. Ilse Vensas, president of the Lakewood Ladies Guild, welcomed 59 people to the ELS Women's Missionary Rally, Pacific Northwest Region. The Rev. John Schmidt opened with a devotion the twenty-seventh annual rally, held at Lakewood Lutheran Church, Lakewood, Washington.

Bethany Lutheran Seminary professor the Rev. Adolph Harstad, chairman of the Board for Foreign Missions, spoke about having "Mission Fever" and showed a video "Proclaim His Name" about mission work in Peru and Chile. Lakewood school principal Shu Ting Lai informed those present about the school. Eighth-grader Grace Bender talked about Lutheran Girl Pioneers and the school students sang "I Love to Tell the Story."

The new officers elected at the meeting are President Jennifer Dahlke of Port Orchard, Washington and Secretary Julie Hahnke, The Dalles, Oregon. The Mite offerings for 2005 were designated for the ELS Seminary Student Emergency Fund and for CrossStitch. The 2005 rally will be held at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Myrtle Creek, Oregon.

PHOTO:  Rally Officers are Pres. Jennifer Dahlke, Secretary Julie Hahke, Vice-president Kathy Kahler and Treasurer Mary Szabo.

Pinewood Lutheran Church Declares Clergy Appreciation Day to the Glory of God

On October 17, 2004 the congregation of Pinewood Lutheran Church of Burlington Massachusetts declared a clergy appreciation celebration featuring the twentieth anniversary of the ordination and the birthday of Pastor Thomas Fox, along with a tribute for years of service by his wife Debra Ann. The surprise program began in the sanctuary with Pres. John Krey's reading of a congratulatory letter from ELS President John Moldstad. Pastor and Mrs. Fox then joined with the choir to sing "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name." The program continued into the fellowship hall with the singing of "Happy Birthday" and the serving of a potluck banquet sponsored by the Pinewood Action Group. Trustees and elders read letters from Pastor Joel Petermann, President of the Northeast WELS District (St. Paul Luth., Amherst, NH), Rev. George Orvick, Pres. Emeritus of the ELS, Rev. Paul Madson of the Lutheran Sentinel (Former pastor of Pinewood), and Rev. Glenn Obenberger, Vice-President of the ELS (Parkland Ev. Luth., Tacoma WA), and a card from Mrs. Melvina Aaberg (long-time secretary at Bethany Lutheran Seminary). The members also presented to Pastor Fox a decorated box titled "The Fox Project" containing sealed letters from more friends. Books of writings and drawings ("What Pastor and Mrs. Fox Mean to me") were presented by the Sunday School and confirmation class of 2004. Following the presentation of the gift from the congregation, Pres. Krey read a prayer composed by the congregation. The program closed with the doxology sung by all.

Norwegian Grove congregation celebrates dedication

The 75th anniversary of the dedication of the church building of the Norwegian Grove Lutheran Church, rural Gaylord, Minnesota, was observed on Sunday, October 24.

The present pastor, the Rev. Craig Ferkenstad, preached on 1 Kings 9:1-3 and Vicar Daniel Finn conducted the liturgy. An anniversary program and a potluck meal followed the service.

The 30 by 46 foot church building was constructed in 1929 at a cost of $6,000. Many improvements have been made to the church over the years. The facility was redecorated in 1939, 1956, and 1978. The building was enlarged in 1976 with the addition of an entrance, kitchen, and rest rooms. During this anniversary year, the church was again redecorated and a new roof installed.

The congregation will observe the 125th anniversary of its organization in 2006.

PEOPLE PHOTO:  Present members of the congregation who were present in 1929 when the church was built:  from left to right:  Beatrice Enter, Ruby Schmidt, Raymnond Wold, Ruth Olson, Mildred Johnson. Not pictured: Selwin Swenson.