St. John’s Lutheran Church
507 W. Higham; Phone: 812
Rev. C.R. Fiege

Eighth Sunday after Trinity, July 22, 1956

The order of Morning Worship without Holy Communion on page 5 in your hymnal.

The hymns: 33, 123, 36, 644

The Introit

For this morning’s worship in keeping with the centennial theme, we shall read responsively a special Psalm. Turn in your hymnal to page 152 and Psalm 121. These words remarkably express the Christian’s serious thoughts when observing the 100^th anniversary of community life.

The Theme for Today

The Centennial Anniversary of St. Johns is not the complete essence of today. Rather, let us remember that this is the Lord’s Day and the secular celebration is subordinate to it. For that reason, while we happily experience the passing of a hundred years, let it also include reflection upon the deeper and spiritual aspects of the day. For such words of religious, faithful, devout, and Christian meaning we read one Lesson this morning, Psalm 103.

The Sermon: "The Challenge of the Future," Joshua 1:5-9.

A Day of Humiliation and Prayer

As a congregation today we humble ourselves through prayer to our Almighty Father. In the place of our General Prayer today we shall use the Litany, beginning on page 110 in the hymnal. The congregation responds with the words in the heavy type.

St. John’s Venture of Faith

Last Sunday the Lord brought 93 to worship His Son and our Savior. With our gifts we also worshipped the Lord in this way:

Home:$65.84

Missions: $12.25

Building Fund: $80.25

Did our gifts reflect real worship? Token giving never is true worship. Bring no gift for Christ’s cause and Church, as many do, and our lip-service to God is an abomination.

Announcements

We wish to thank those who made it possible to offer the summary of St. John’s Lutheran Church history in this bulletin. Special thanks go to Mrs. Albert Seibert, who prepared the copy that also appeared in the Republican News during Centennial Week… Personal thanks should be expressed to every individual who helped to make the Ladies’ project for all the centennial an outstanding success. All the workers, the cooperation, the encouragement, and all was a fine display of what our parish can do.

A word of congratulations to our neighboring Lutheran Church for their wonderful float entry in yesterday’s parade… Tickets for the Lutheran Night at Brigg’s Stadium for Aug. 10 are ordered. Money should be received as soon as possible… One contract bid on our church plans was received last week. More detailed word will be announced soon as to the outcome. This is a crucial pointing our program. Let’s remember to pray over it.

A sincere welcome is extended to all those who may be visiting with us this morning. St. John’s is privileged to have you as a guest and wishes you the richest blessings of our Lord, of Whom we all have great cause to sing today: "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow."

1869 – St. John’s Lutheran Church – 1956

Our Origin:

On Nov. 14, 1869, two German immigrants, Casper Seibert and Jacob Siefert, led a group of 20 settlers in forming the German Evangelical Zion Lutheran Church in St. Johns. Siefert came to this country in 1847 and Seibert in 1860. Most of the other members who chartered the church had been in America but a short time.

On Nov. 28, 1869, Siefert was elected as first chairman of the church, and Charles Seibert , son of Casper, was named secretary-treasurer. Conrad Burkhart and Siefert were the first elders of the small group.

First Service:

For six years services were in the German language and conducted by the Rev. Furrerr, visiting from Owosso, in a residence on the site of the present congregational parsonage. Services were held only part of the year because the wilderness roads were often impassable in winter.

The First Building:

Today we still worship in the original church erected by this small band of immigrants. It was completed in 1875, and was built by the members of the congregation. The present property was donated by the elders Seibert and Seifert on which the church was erected. Lumber for the building was cut in Muir and hauled to St. Johns via special mid-winter sled excursions.

The First Half-Century:

More than 50 years passed before the congregation was served by a resident pastor. During this time mission pastors from many parts of the state visited the parish of St. John’s.

The Rev. Schmidt of Detroit who later became a professor at Concordia College at Ft. Wayne, Ind., was a visiting pastor as was the Rev. Georgi of Owosso. The Rev. J.H. Witte of Fowler visited St. Johns regularly for a long – and fruitful – period, sometimes walking from his home church to conduct Sunday afternoon worship here. Pastor E. Woldt of Lansing made the trip to St. Johns via the old interurban line to lead monthly services. The Rev. E.P. Beyer of Fowler also assisted during this time.

A Turning Point:

For a number of years after 1932 weekly services were conducted by the Rev. Arthur F. Beyer of Fowler. During this time a proposal to transfer the small group to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fowler was given consideration. Largely through the efforts of Mrs. George Siefert of Bengal Township, the church was kept in St. Johns. She purchased the property and assumed much of the maintenance cost of the old building. At her death the property was returned to the congregation by her daughter, Mrs. Ida Enos.

First Resident Pastor:

Missionary Merle Lutz held services here until the Rev. Elmer E. Bickel was called in 1942 to serve as first resident pastor. Three years later the group was organized as St. John’s Lutheran Church with Mr. William Luecht as chairman; Lorenz Tiedt, treasurer; and Walter Luhling as secretary. The church now became officially a member of the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.

Succeeding Pastors: