By Sara Quam
Grace Lutheran Church has evolved over its 50 years - from three branches of Norwegian Lutherans - into a church who now includes a large congregation of ethnically diverse people from a variety of denominational backgrounds.
That's why the weekend of Aug. 17 is cause for celebration.
Kim Schmidt, one of many members who helped plan the festivities over about two years, said, "I think we're making it a big thing because it's a landmark year. We need to celebrate it because some of our older members were part of the church's founding."
The weekend celebration culminates what has been a yearlong acknowledgement of Grace's 50th year. Monthly special events made the entire year memorable for the congregation.
Schmidt said he had fun coming up with ideas for the anniversary and credits the members of the planning committee, especially Dolly Talbert, with keeping it fun and organized.
Schmidt joined the church in 1979. He said, "One thing I look at, as someone who's not always been a member, is how remarkable Grace is - friendly and open-armed. Of course, that’s the way the town of Luverne is, too."
The anniversary celebration is essentially one about being dedicated to the church, Schmidt said. "We wanted a year-long celebration because the church isn't something we just celebrate on Sunday but every day of the year."
History of Grace
Grace Lutheran came into being Aug. 4, 1951, when Immanuel Lutheran and Our Savior's Lutheran churches merged.
Immanuel was formed in 1876 and Our Savior's in 1884, so the presence of what is now Grace Lutheran has been around longer than its 50th anniversary reflects.
The two churches that formed Grace in 1951 were made larger in 1968 when Zion Lutheran Church (founded in 1905) merged with it.
The large, diverse congregation is reflected in a special quilt. The banner-quilt is made up of squares from church members and symbolizes each member or family membership. Some squares were decorated by members, but all members are named on the quilt.
With about 1,300 members, it’s easy to get lost in the large blanket that took a solid two weeks of labor to finish. The quilters who assembled it finished it off with a green cloth vine across its surface.
The vine matches the one on the banner in the front of the church that says, "Growing in Grace." The phrase was adopted for the anniversary year but will likely remain a part of the church’s theme.
Celebration Schedule:
(Events are open to the public)
Friday, Aug. 17
The Pool Boys, a Christian rock band, will play from 8:30 to 11 p.m. in the large tent on the church parking lot.
Saturday, Aug. 18
The Grace Lutheran history display can be seen at the Carnegie Cultural Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (The display will remain through the month of August.)
Steve Odland will perform an organ recital from 1:30 to 2:10 p.m.
The Reunion Choir participants are invited for refreshments in the narthex at 2:15 p.m.
The Reunion Choir will rehearse at 3 p.m. under the direction of Jennifer Bakken. Emily Lodine will be one of the soloists.
The Celebration Banquet starts at 6 p.m. in the social hall with limited seating. A full meal will be served at a cost with a program presented. The quilt made up of squares from church members will be displayed for the first time.
Sunday, Aug. 19
Graceful Vibrations will rehearse in the sanctuary at 8:30 a.m.
Reunion Choir rehearses at 9:15 a.m.
Festival worship service starts at 10 a.m. It will include brass, handbells, Chancel Choir, Reunion Choir, procession of visiting pastors and Holy Communion. This will be the only service, followed by a noon meal with seating in the tent or social hall.
Pastors at Grace:
1951-57 — S.T. Nelson
1957-61 — G.S. Helgeson
1961-73 — Stan Eyberg
1968 — Michael Hendrickson added as second pastor
1970 — James Parks
1973-81 — Norman Olsen
1974-81 — Duane Salness
1981-91 — Allan Nelson, Gary Danielson
1991-present — Maurice Hagen
1993-present — Dell Sanderson
Congregation members who entered the ministry:
Dennis Olson
Peter Olsen
Andrew Olsen
Richard Fitzer
John Juhl