TRINITY'S 125th Anniversary, March
1883-March 2008.
In
preparing for the 125th anniversary of Trinity (known as the quasquicentennial),
we thought it would be appropriate to review some of the history of Trinity
throughout the coming months. We will have a year long celebration
beginning January 2008 with a different former pastor speaking every month and a
different theme for each month. The grand celebration of our anniversary will
take place on October 19, 2008, with Rev. William Hoesman, president of the
Michigan speaking. All former pastors and vicars have been invited to this
celebration.
First,
let's start with some reminiscences of the 100th anniversary back on July 17,
1983. Pastor
Oswald Hoffmann, famed speaker for the Lutheran Hour, spoke. The
following write-up appeared at that time.
TRINITY CELEBRATES
100
YEARS
OF
BLESSINGS
July
17, 1983,
will
long
be
remembered as
one
of
Trinity's
Red
Letter
Days.
Along
with
the
organization
of
our
beloved
parish,
the
dedication
of
the new
facilities
in
1884, 1949, and
1966, our
celebration
engendered
the
love
and excitement that
so typified
the
spirit
of
"our
founding
fathers".
Trinity's
special
day
just
didn't
happen.
Countless
members
of
dedicated people
gave
freely
of
their time and
talents
to
make July 17th -- A
Day
of Thanksgiving
and
Joy.
Although
time and
space
limits
the full
roster
of
people
who
should
be
thanked,
it
is
important
that
we
recognize a few
outstanding people
and
groups
that
helped
to
make
the
day a
true witness
to
our
gracious
God. Remember,
also,
that
planning
for
this
one
day
took
over a
year.
The
real
preparations
began
on
Saturday, July
16th.
Do
you
remember
how warm the temperatures were? If you had
traveled by the Church, you would have seen many
heavily perspiring gentlemen trimming
hedges, edging the sidewalks, carrying in chairs, and
doing all of those heavy jobs that no one
really wants to do. Inside the church, a group of
ladies and young people were busily
scrubbing the Church from "stem to stern" ...not a corner
was missed by those many loving hands. Their
work was aided by the completion of Trinity's
new chancel lights so masterfully designed
and installed by Pete Simon and his crew. What a
beautiful addition they make to our worship
at Trinity. Adding the creative and historical
touch, Mrs. Jamie Beck designed and
completed another special banner for Trinity's special
services and also continued the theme in a
special hall bulletin board outside of the office.
Trinity's historian, Mrs. Eunice Pines,
provided the parish with "A Walk Down Memory Lane"
with four historical displays in the school
hallway. Saturday evening brought a reception
for Dr. Hoffmann, so graciously hosted by
Dr. and Mrs. Loesel; Mrs. Diane Ford and Mrs.
Maria Topp. Many of the area clergy,
Trinity's staff, and local celebrities were treated to
a delightful evening with Dr. Hoffmann.
As the first rays of
the morning sun broke on July 17th, preparations
began for Trinity's "Big Day". The AAL
Food Committee was busily preparing the fire
pits, the musicians and choir were "tuning-up", and the final shake-down
took place. With the blue and white striped tents flapping in the
breeze and the warmth of the sun beginning
to be felt, tine worshipers began
arriving. It didn't take long to completely fill the church and the
crowd began to fill the over-flow
room. With the power and majesty due our
God, the assembled congregation rose to unite their voices glorious hymn,
"Lift N1.qh the Cross".
How appropriate for the processional hymn as the
processional cross, banners, the choir, and
clergy led our hearts and thoughts
forward to worship our God in "Joyful Remembrance and Thanksgiving".
Using the ancient Order of Matins, the congregation did indeed
"Come and worship the Lord". The highlight of
the service certainly had to be Dr. Oswald Hoffmann's Centennial Sermon.
Using the power of God's Word, his deep and
penetrating voice, and a sense of humor, Dr. Hoffmann delivered a powerful
message commending our forefathers' faith and challenging
us to continue the mission and ministry begun 100 years ago. Using Dr.
Hoffmann's words the "only
disappointing thing about the day is the extreme heat!"
Following
the second service, the AAL sponsored a German picnic, complete with bratwurst,
sauerkraut,
and German music. Catching a cool breeze under the tents, the assembled
were treated to a fine
afternoon of entertainment and fellowship. So symbolic of the day,
the guests were
presented with a beautifully decorated cake, made and decorated under the
watchful eye of Trinity's
pillar-member, Mrs. Hattie Wilson. The sweetness of the cake
certainly reminded the
people of the sweetness of God's blessings which He has so faithfully
poured out upon Trinity.
Bearing the motto of "100 Years of Blessing", the cake declared what Trinity has
been all about for these past 100 years. This marvelous day, which regretfully
drew to a swift closing, ended with a meaningful and spiritual closing led by
Pastor Fitz. The
Lord has indeed "blessed and kept us" for "lo, these past 100 years."
Click
here to view the original 100th
Anniversary Service booklet.
Pastor Harry Krieger was noted for his
clever bulletin one-liners about life and faith. Click
here for some
gleanings from past bulletins.
Click
here
to review the list of Trinity's confirmation classes from 1900 to
1983. These reproductions are as good a quality as the originals would permit.
Click
here for the announcement of the
Hymn Festival in September.
Bulletins for each month:
March 30 bulletin cover
March 30
bulletin
April 26-27
bulletin
May 24-25 bulletin
June 28-29
July 26-27
August 30-31
September 27-28
October 18-19
A Voyage Back to the Founding
of Trinity Lutheran Church, March 26, 1983
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