|
History Continued |
|
|
St. Paul voted to support the mission with
an annual gift of $5,000.00 for five years.
A MISSION IS BORNPastor David Schulte was selected to be the mission developer in the summer of 1987. Pastor Schulte, son of Pastor Henry and Frances Brown Schulte, was born in McGregor, Texas on April 21, 1957. He is a graduate of East Central High School in San Antonio, Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, and Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. While serving at Peace, Pastor Schulte completed his Doctor of Ministry degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. His first Call was to Peace Lutheran Church, Rosenberg. Pastor Schulte received the Letter of Call to be the organizing pastor in New Braunfels in the summer of 1987. He accepted the Call in a letter, dated 15 June 1987, to the Southern District of TALC. His last day at Peace Lutheran of Rosenberg was 21 July 1987. Together with his wife Laura (Andrews) and daughter Anna, Pastor Schulte moved to New Braunfels before August 1, when he began his task of organizing the mission church. The guest bedroom of their home on Lazy Trail served as the church office. Clemente Saenz wrote the Texas Commerce Bank authorizing Pastor Schulte to close the current mission account under St. Paul Lutheran Church and to open a new account to be named New Braunfels Mission with David W. Schulte as the signee until further notice. The preliminary application of land purchase was filed on 30 August 1987. The 3-acre tract on a high traffic thoroughfare met all guidelines and cost $1.00 per square foot for a total cost of $130,680.00. The tract has 310’ frontage on Walnut Avenue and is 476’ deep. The American Lutheran Church was the purchaser as an agent of the mission. The first task of a mission developer is to knock on doors in a house-to-house canvas of the territory the mission is to serve. Pastor Schulte did this during the fall of 1987 as he announced the future formation of a new Lutheran congregation in the area and invited people to be a part of this new mission. In October a steering committee was formed. It consisted of the following: Bill Compton, Nancy Dahse, Frank Forsage, Greg Gunderson, John Hawthorne, Karen Naumann and Bard Shea. Later Kurt Wertheim replaced Frank Forsage on the committee. The committee met in the living room of the Schulte residence. The securing of a place of worship is another important part in beginning a new congregation. On 20 October 1987, the New Braunfels Independent School District approved the use of the Memorial Primary School as the worship site. The cost was $90.00 per week rent plus cleaning fees of about $30.00 per week directly paid to the janitorial staff. The first worship service was held on 13 December 1987 in the cafetorium of the Memorial Primary School with 162 persons in attendance, including visiting dignitaries and two children’s choirs from St. Paul Lutheran Church, under the direction of Becky Voges. “Rise Up, O Saints of God,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” and “Let All Things Now Living” were the hymns for the service. Representatives from the following mission partner congregations were present: St. Paul, New Braunfels; Triumphant, Garden Ridge; St. James, Llano; and the Brenham Conference Mission Society. A more realistic beginning was the next Sunday when there were 36 persons in attendance. The use of temporary, rented facilities in a school necessitated the weekly setting up for worship as well as packing and unpacking hymnals, communion ware, offering plates, etc. Tables had to be moved and chairs arranged. The altar was a table set on 4 one-gallon paint cans from the janitors’ closet and covered with an antique linen tablecloth. Joan Crowell, Betty Hawthorne and Betty Wertheim made banners. A sign was set up each Sunday at the corner of Walnut and County Line Road announcing the worship service at the school. The sign had to taken home each Sunday by a member. A permanent sign was needed to publicize the future building on the church property. Victor Fritze, the father of Joan Crowell, made a sign for this purpose. After the church was organized the church council discussed the need for another street sign to publicize the church at its February 1989 meeting. Larry Crowell volunteered to furnish the materials and Victor Fritze made a second sign which when completed was erected on FM 725. WestPoint Pepperell, the owner of the property, gave their permission for the sign. Sunday school classes for children began on 24 January 1988. Lenten and Advent services as well as the early Easter sunrise service were held jointly with St. Paul. Early in 1988, eight ladies, none of whom had ever made a banner, met at the home of Betty Wertheim. With material donated by WestPoint Pepperell they made their first banner for Easter Sunday. It had lilies and a butterfly on an orchid background. The present banners with either a green, orchid or red background were made from that first donated fabric. A retreat was held in June 1988 to write a charter. The Living Charter of Peace Lutheran Church is as follows: It is with joy and thanksgiving that, by the call of the Holy Spirit, we join in forming a new part of the body of Christ, Peace Lutheran Church. It will be our mission to serve Christ by serving our community and the world, inviting all people to share God’s love. Through worship, fellowship and service, we are to nurture God’s people in their faith, develop their gifts of the Spirit, and equip them to go forth and proclaim the gospel of God’s love in Christ Jesus. To assure that this fellowship remains a vital force in our lives and community, we faithfully commit the time, talent and treasure that God has entrusted to us. Charter membership was opened on 11 September 1988 with a special service. Don Gebert, assistant to the bishop of the Southwestern Texas Synod, preached the sermon for the day. Sixty-six persons signed that day, representing 28 households.
THE CONGREGATION IS ORGANIZEDThe worshipping community was not an organized congregation, so the process for organization began with a request to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for recognition as a congregation on 11 November 1988. The new regional mission director, Bill Tate, approved the request. A kick-off catered dinner in the fellowship hall of St. Paul Lutheran Church was held on Sunday evening, 4 December 1988. The pre-organizational meeting was conducted on 8 January 1989 after the Sunday service with 34 voting members and Bill Tate in attendance. Bill Tate said that about 120 confirmed members were needed before a church building project was feasible. The ELCA agreed to assist with an architect, building plans and financial assistance. A number of resolutions were adopted, the first of which read as follows: Whereas, we and others associated with us, believing in the Lord Jesus as our Savior, desire to band ourselves together into a congregation of the Southwestern Texas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to be called Peace Lutheran Church and located in New Braunfels, Texas. Therefore, be it resolved that we, and others of like mind who are or may become associated with us, organize ourselves into such a congregation. A constitution was adopted along with articles of incorporation. The following were nominees for the first church council: Bill Compton, Larry Crowell, Greg Gunderson, John Guthrie, Anita Hanz, John Hawthorne, Becky Schultz, Barbara Shea, Marilyn Smith, and Kurt Wertheim. Larry Crowell, president; Kurt Wertheim, vice-president; John Hawthorn, secretary; Greg Gunderson, treasurer; Bill Compton, council member; and Becky Schultz, council member, were elected to the Peace Lutheran Church Council. Those elected drew to determine who would have a two-year term with Crowell, Gunderson and Hawthorne selected. Kurt Wertheim volunteered to work with the Herald Zeitung to publicize the organization of the congregation scheduled for the following Sunday. Peace Lutheran Church was officially organized on 15 January 1989. Some 80 persons attended the organizational meeting of the congregation. David Schulte was called to serve as the first pastor of Peace Lutheran Church of New Braunfels. Charter membership was closed with 88 charter members. Arthur Rode, bishop of the Southwestern Texas Synod of the ELCA, was the preacher for the organization day service. During the Sunday school hour he led a “Meet the Bishop” session. The first meeting of the newly elected church council was held on the evening of 15 January 1989 in the pastor’s living room. It was decided that all future meetings of the church council would include a pastor’s report and that the financial secretary would record all contributions and prepare monthly statements. Benevolence was set at 25% of offerings for 1989. Bill Bruggeman, dean of the San Antonio Conference of the Southwestern Texas Synod of the ELCA, installed the following as mission pastors at a meeting of the conference at Beitel Memorial Lutheran Church, San Antonio on 7 February 1989: Nathan Lafrenz, San Lucas Lutheran Church, Eagle Pass; Gregory Weyrauch, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, San Antonio; and David Schulte, Peace Lutheran Church, New Braunfels. David Schulte was duly installed as pastor of Peace Lutheran Church on 26 February 1989 by his father, Henry Schulte, pastor of Zion Lutheran, Kerrville. His sermon was entitled, ”The Call to Ministry.” The Bell Choir from St. Paul participated in the service. A potluck dinner followed the service. The first Every Member Visitation stewardship program on 19 February l989 followed cottage meetings on February 12 with the theme, “Vision for Mission. The completion of the program was celebrated in March. The church council discussed the need for street signs to publicize the church at its February 1989 meeting. Larry Crowell volunteered to furnish the materials and his father-in-law, Victor Fritze would make a sign which when completed was erected on FM 725. A brass choir arranged by Penny Compton played for the regular Easter Sunday service in 1989. The ministry of the congregation was divided into several committees. These were Support, Service, Outreach, Worship and Education. By July all committees of the congregation were meeting. In August a Pastoral Support Committee was approved. In 1993, the Fellowship and Property Committees were formed. The Youth Advisory Board was appointed in 2005.
THE FIRST BUILDING
The church council called a meeting of the congregation to discuss the need for a building on the church property to serve as church office and meeting room. The meeting was conducted on 15 October 1989 and it was decided to construct such a building when funding was resolved. St. Paul Lutheran Church was contacted about giving the balance of their 5-year, $25,000.00 commitment to Peace Lutheran so that the building could be constructed as soon as possible. The Board of Stewardship of St. Paul drafted the following resolution, dated 8 November 1989: “WHEREAS: Peace Lutheran Church has NO facilities for meeting, office use or weekday classroom space, and whereas there is presently no visible evidence on site of the presence of Peace Lutheran Church, Whereas: Their Church Council has proposed to build a portable classroom-office complex, and small parking lot on their site, to relieve congestion at the parsonage, and give visible evidence of their presence and ministry in our community, And whereas: Peace Lutheran, at present, has NO resources or collateral to borrow funds for this project, And whereas: St. Paul Lutheran Church has committed $5,000 per year beginning in 1987 for a 5 year period for a total of $25,000, and to date has fulfilled this commitment to the amount of $4,100 total. The Board of Stewardship recommends that this commitment be paid in monthly installments (if $5,000/year is paid monthly, it amounts to $417.00/month). Thus we propose that: St. Paul borrow $18,000 from the best possible source with the lowest interest rate possible, with a monthly payment not to exceed $417.00/month, with a payout of not more than 5 years. That the $18,000 be given to Peace Lutheran Church for the above project and that our monthly payment of our pledge to Peace Lutheran be used to may (make) payment on this note.
This will require NO INCREASE in our 1990
budget, but does call us to be responsible and regular in our commitment
to Peace Lutheran and gives them the capital to begin their permanent
work in New Braunfels. St. Paul congregation voted to approve the resolution at the annual meeting. The money was borrowed from the Lutheran Endowment Fund of the Southwest. A contract with S&D Builders was signed by Larry Crowell, president of the congregation; David Schulte, pastor; and David Oestreich, S&D Builders. The total contract was for $18,550.00: a 14’x32’ portable building - $13,000, parking lot - $2,000, utility connections - $3,000, 30’ sidewalk - $300, 50’ privacy fence - $250. An announcement was made at the 14 January 1990 annual meeting that the office-meeting building on the church property had been completed. The 21 January 1990 Church Council meeting was held in the new building, which was dedicated on 11 February 1990. A thank-you letter was sent to S. Paul Lutheran Church. In addition to St. Paul of New Braunfels, a number of other congregations supported the work of Peace as mission partners. They include the following: St. Paul, Bulverde; Abiding Savior, Cameron; St. Paul, Crawford; First, Floresville; Holy Ghost, Fredericksburg; Triumphant, Garden Ridge; St. Paul, Hondo; St. John, Marion; Zion, McGregor; Beitel Memorial, San Antonio, and Emmanuel, Seguin. There may have been others. Following the completion of the church building in 1993, the building was used as a youth building. During the 2005 building program, it served as the construction office. After the church addition was completed, the building was sold on 7 March 2006 to Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Funderburgh of New Braunfels, TX. THE CONGREGATION SERVES
During the first two years of its existence both as a mission church and as an organized congregation, Peace Lutheran Church was involved as a worshiping community and as a witness to the larger community of New Braunfels. Some of the activities and events within the congregation included the following: Every Member Visitation stewardship education and commitments, banner making, organizing of the Women of the Church, making school kits for Lutheran World Relief, pot luck dinners, annual church picnic, men’s breakfast, softball team, participation in bowling league, Peace Youth Group, and Altar Guild, The church was also active in witnessing to the community in the following ways: Christmas caroling in local nursing homes and the neighborhood around the church, blood drives, collecting food for SOS (Spirit of Sharing) Food Bank and providing volunteers and representatives on its board, recycling of aluminum cans and glass, and Halloween parties for the neighborhood. Also tutoring at Carl Schuz Elementary School, selecting a family from the area behind the church and taking them food and Christmas gifts, conducting Sunday School for River Gardens Rehab Center residents, and providing worship services for 2 local nursing homes. The church facility has been used as a voting place and meeting place for Cub Scouts. A CHURCH BUILDINGThe need for a church facility was always paramount for Peace Lutheran Church. A change of principals at Memorial Elementary school caused great concern. However, Carol DeHaven, wife of Pastor Chuck DeHaven of St. Paul, was appointed as principal and the congregation did not lose its worship site. Pastor Schulte wrote a letter to Bill Tate, regional mission director, ELCA, in June 1988 citing the need for a building since New Braunfels was a traditional German community and having a building was necessary for ministry. As early as 18 August 1990 the Readiness for Building Memo Information sheet was signed and sent to the Division for Outreach of the ELCA in Chicago. In September 1990 the first application for approval for a building was completed. The ELCA response was that when 60 Household Income Equivalents were reached and less than $10,000 of contributions came from sources outside of the congregation and the average commitment of each giving unit was at least 3.5% of income, the congregation could reapply. It was decided to wait until after the 1991 annual meeting. The congregation voted to resubmit its application for a building at the annual meeting. The Request for Building Memo was approved. Bud Bonesz, ELCA building consultant, explained that this was the beginning of a long process. One thing necessary was a capital fund drive. On 19 May 199l, the congregation signed a contract with Charity Fund Unlimited of Seguin to lead the campaign for $5,800. Charity Fund Unlimited would design a master stewardship plan for the congregation, direct intensive stewardship education, develop effective organizational structure for volunteers, supervise and evaluate major gift prospects, train volunteers, and plan a kick off dinner audio-visual program, design an effective brochure and direct follow up program. In the summer of that year, the church held its first capital fund drive, “To Grow and Serve.” The goal of the campaign was $75,000 over a two-year period. By 4 August that goal had been surpassed with total commitments of $75,000 and there were still a few commitment cards outstanding. Dan Mathis was the congregational chairman of the drive. A Building Committee was appointed: Larry Crowell, chair, Bill Compton, Beverly Giacoletti, Ed Hanz and Lanny Henderson. (Ed Hanz later resigned from the committee). Bill Shanks, the new building consultant of the ELCA met with the committee and Church Council. In September the congregation voted to ask the ELCA to transfer title of the property to the church. The Building Committee visited other churches in the area for ideas and investigated using the ELCA Mission Builders to build the church. A schematic design was developed by the ELCA staff architect. In March 1992 Ed Nicholson and Associates were selected as architects. The design was completed by June and the ELCA gave its approval. Bids were solicited and were to be received by 16 July. Groundbreaking services were held on 23 August 1992 at 11:00 am following the 9:30 am worship service. Greg Butrico was the congregational president. Timbercon, Inc. of San Antonio was awarded the contract on 31 August 1992. Actual work began on 4 September. Some 30 members served on various subcommittees to select floor coverings, furnishings, colors, textures, etc. Pastor Schulte noted “this brought the congregation together.” The total estimated cost for building, furnishings and related expenses was estimated to be $619,913, including cost of land and site work. Some problems were encountered during construction. Engineering test proved that the site was “rock and roll” ground. It was necessary to excavate 6 feet deep and then fill in with packed material 6 inches at a time to create a stable “rock” for the building to ride on. During the excavation it rained and the hole was filled with water. The central beams for the sanctuary were to be 6” too short. The architect, however, was able to work around the problem. The building was completed in March 1993. A workday was scheduled in March to complete some finish and clean up work by members of the congregation. Members also built the lawn shed under the supervision of Lee Compton. Lighting for the outside sign was installed and the landscaping plan was completed as submitted by Virgil Weese, Julius Holm and the landscape sub-committee. The first service in the new church was conducted on 28 March, and the church was dedicated on 18 April. Henry Schulte, bishop of the Southwestern Texas Synod, ELCA, was the guest preacher. He praised the beauty and practicality of the new building and challenged Peace Lutheran to put it to good use serving God and His people. David Schulte, pastor, was the presiding minister; Hope Blackman, organist; Penny Compton, Max Ebert and Jennifer Smith, brass ensemble; Jennifer Smith and Larry Crowell, readers. Some 264 persons attended the service, which was followed by a reception. A Building Committee Appreciation Potluck was held on 25 April. The “old blue bag” which had been used for five years to carry items from the office building to the school was formally retired and a plaque given to Larry Crowell for his leadership of the project. A representative of Memorial Elementary School attended and was presented with a copy of the book, The Giving Tree. A tree was planted at the school in appreciation for the use of the cafetorium as a worship site for more than five years. A certificate and bonus were given to Sanchez Bonafacio, janitor of the school. The Building Committee presented its final report on 20 June 1993. They reported that $615,733 of the estimated cost of $619,933 had been paid, of which $544,991.21 had been borrowed from the ELCA Mission Investment Fund. The vision statement was prepared and approved by the congregation in the fall of 1993. By November 1993 the sanctuary had become too small to accommodate the worshippers in one service with attendance of about 150 so a second service was added. In 2002 the congregation experimented with a third Sunday morning service during the summer months.
A CHANGE OF PASTORS
Pastor Schulte accepted a Call from Texas Lutheran University to be Director of Church Relations; his resignation, effective 1 December 1997, was accepted by the Church Council on 9 November. A farewell lunch reception was held for him and his family following the 10:30 am service on Sunday, 30 November 1997. In 2001 he became the senior pastor of Zion Lutheran Church of Helotes. The “Call Process” to call a new pastor was begun on 15 November when Stan Meyer, assistant to the bishop of the Southwestern Texas Synod, ELCA, met with representatives of the congregation. A Call Committee was appointed on 14 December. Members of the committee were Rusty Brockman, Larry Crowell, JoAnn Meyer, Philip Reus, Kathy Smith and Jesse Vernon. Stan Meyer suggested Don Adickes as an interim pastor. Addickes served as interim for several months and was followed first by Irv Njus and then Arnold Moede during the nine months without a resident pastor. A “Congregational Profile” for the calling of a new pastor was completed. The six most important leadership needs were identified as the following: 1) preacher, 2) worship leader, 3) youth leader, 4) interpreter of theology, 5) minister in crisis/counselor and 6) teacher of adults and children. Following interviews, the Call Committee recommended calling Gary Lange to be pastor of Peace Lutheran Church. The congregation met on 12 July 1998 and voted to issue a Letter of Call to Gary Lange, which he accepted. The Church Council set his installation for the afternoon of 13 September with Bill Bruggeman, Dean of the San Antonio Conference, as the installing pastor and preacher. The installation service began at 3:30 pm with Gary Lange serving as presiding minister for Holy Communion; Larry Crowell, assisting minister; and Cathy Brigham, organist. Pastor Lange, son of Monroe and Bernice Struckmeyer Lange was born on 12 June 1954 in Brenham, Texas. He is a graduate of Brenham High School, Texas Lutheran College, Seguin and Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa. He is married to Loy Stautzenberger and they are the parents of one son, Eric. Pastor Lange previously served St. Peter Lutheran Church of Walburg, Beitel Memorial Lutheran Church of San Antonio and St. Paul Lutheran Church of Hondo.
THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SPACE
The need for more educational and fellowship space had become more and more apparent. In May 1995 Pastor Paul Krupicka, Christ Lutheran Church of Georgetown, presented some ideas on long range planning. In June of that year a Long Range Planning Committee was appointed with Larry Crowell as chairman to develop a plan for the future of Peace Lutheran. In addition to Crowell, the committee consisted of the following members: Glenn Grein, Sherry Hill, Chris Mengel, Rhonda Schmidt and Marilyn Smith. The Long Range Planning Committee completed its work in July 2001 and a Long Range Building Committee was appointed: David Oestreich, Jack Ralph, Carroll Schumann, John Thiem and Robbi Will plus others at the discretion of the committee. This committee looked into various ways to enlarge the fellowship space, floor plans and costs. Timbercon was consulted about an addition by the playground area toward Walnut Avenue and additional parking space. The Church Council appointed a planning team, consisting of Mike Cobb, Ed Fairchild and Carroll Schumann, assisted by Eric Edwin, Earl Koester, David Oestreich, John Thiem, Robbi Will, Jack Ralph and Jennifer Pfannstiel, in March 2002. Two possibilities were considered: 1) a metallic multipurpose building (9,000 square feet) which would include a gym, commercial type kitchen, restrooms with showers, a large meeting room and four class rooms. The cost would be between $500,000 and $600,000. The Church Council did not think this was feasible with the current indebtedness. 2) Remodel and extend the current fellowship hall (744 square feet) and a classroom addition toward Walnut Avenue (1632 square feet) with a cost estimate of $247,463 given by Timbercon Construction. In 2003 a Building Committee of the following members: Rusty Brockman and Billy Brown, co-chairs; Darrell Braune, Donna Braune, Alvin Bravenec, Dorothy Brucks, Marilyn Compton, Larry Crowell, Eric Edwin, Earl Koester, Pastor Lange, JoBeth Oestreich, Jackie Pendleton, Rhonda Schmidt, Carroll Schumann, Jeff Smith, Rick Smith, Ken Voss, Jennifer Weibley and Cory Wood worked on plans for additional space for the congregation. In March 2003 the congregation voted to hire an architect to prepare a Facilities Master Plan at a cost not to exceed $12,000. Ben Heimseth was hired as the architect. The master plan was given to the congregation at a special meeting on 7 March 2004. Option 4 was approved by a vote of 93 to 4. This plan included a new narthex in the area of the courtyard, which would also serve as an extension of the fellowship hall and an expansion of the sanctuary to include the old narthex. Also included were two offices and a new secretary’s office, restrooms, a workroom, six classrooms, a meeting room and a new entrance to the office suite with a total cost estimate of $697,696. At another called meeting on 12 December 2004 the congregation gave final approval of the plan with six classrooms and a cost not to exceed $740,000. Later it was determined that it would also be necessary to install a fire sprinkler system in the old part of the building as well as the addition to meet the city of New Braunfels building codes at a cost of some $85,000. The additional $85,000 was approved at a special meeting of the congregation on 20 March 2005. This raised the total estimated cost of the project to about $825,000. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on Easter Sunday, 27 March 2005, at 9:30 am. The service was led by Pastor Lange and members of the Building Committee, Rusty Brockman, chair, Alvin Bravenec, Randy Evola, Earl Koester, Roy Linnartz, Jean Pfluger, Carroll Schumann and Ken Voss and members of the Finance Committee, Mike Cobb, chair, Randy Evola, Mark Lange, Natalie Rougeux, Ken Voss and Janet Wittler. Heimseth Architects of Austin was the architect and Brath, Inc. of Round Rock the contractor. A large crowd attended the groundbreaking ceremony, which consisted of breaking ground at the three sites of the addition to the church facilities. Construction began on 18 April and was completed on 3 December with the installation of the stained-glass windows in the narthex. Several members of the congregation finished some parts of the project, including the installation of tile and the painting of the interior walls. A crew of about sixty members did the final cleanup of the completed facility on a Saturday shortly before the dedication. On Sunday, 4 December 2005 the new additions were dedicated in a 2:00 pm worship service conducted by Gary Lange, pastor, and assisted by the following lectors: Jean Pfluger, Randy Evola, Kaitlyn Blanchard, Leslie Wellbrock, Megan McFerran, Bob Ross and Angie Hargreaves. Also assisting were Rusty Brockman, Cindy McFerran, Billy Deiker, Kristy Geyer, Larry Crowell and Valerie Wood. Jeannie Kawazoe served as organist and Taylor Davis was the acolyte. The Peace Lutheran Adult Choir under the direction of Bill Kretzmeier presented the anthem, “Rejoice in the Lord Always.” Each of the following additions/new construction was dedicated with a Scripture reading and a prayer: the narthex, the stained glass windows, the sanctuary, educational wing, conference room, offices and workroom. The Rev. Carol Spencer, representing the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, thanked the congregation for its support of the fund and pointed out that the fund was the source of the congregation’s loan for this construction project. Rusty Brockman, Building Committee chair, thanked all the members for their support and assistance. Pastor Lange also thanked the Interiors Committee: Donna Braune, Marilyn Compton, Molly Koepp, Rick Thomas, Gary Wittenborn and Sue Wittenborn. Following the dedication service the congregation hosted an open house with tours of the facilities and refreshments in the Fellowship Hall.
THE GROWTH OF THE CONGREGATION
Peace Lutheran Church has experienced steady growth during its existence with some years showing a decrease in baptized membership because of the removal of those who have become inactive. The church began with 79 baptized members and reached a high membership of 444 baptized members in 2007. In 1999 some 82 inactive members were removed, 49 in 2001, 58 in 2003 and 42 in 2004. The current membership is 423 baptized members. Although the congregation is receiving many new members each year, a somewhat like number are leaving for a number of reasons; such as, moving from the community, joining other congregations or inactivity. It was discovered in 1999 that there were many whose names still were on the membership list but were no longer involved in the life and ministry of the congregation. They were contacted and if they were no longer interested in being a member or did not respond, they were removed. Worship attendance has remained steady at about 190, which is about 45% of the membership, over the past eight years. Offerings and contributions have increased over the years from about $41,000 in 1989, to $138,000 in 1993, to $200,000 in 1997 and to over $439,000 in 2007. In August 1995 a need for a part-time secretary was expressed and a secretary was hired in September. Volunteers had previously handled the duties of a secretary.
CURRENTLY IN PEACE LUTHERAN
The congregation is governed by a Church Council of 8 members. The present council is composed of the following persons: Jeremy Davenport, president; Diana Beardsley, vice-president; Patty Young, secretary; Kez Wold, treasurer; and Roy Linnartz, Gene Monroe, and Rick Smith, council members. The originally constituted committees have been renamed Ministry Teams; each is composed of a number of members, appointed by the Church Council, and a member of the council who serves as liaison. The teams select their officers and meet monthly to review their area of ministry, plan for the future and make recommendations to the Church Council. In addition to many of the areas of ministry within the congregation and within the community mentioned earlier in this history, today there are others. For example, the Singles’ Luncheon and the Lunch Bunch, which meets once a month for a potluck meal. During the summers since 2006, the congregation has sent teams to Canada to conduct vacation Bible school for Lutheran Association of Missionary Pilots. In 2008, it also sent a missionary team to help construct an orphanage and staff a VBS in Mexico. Current (31 Dec 2008) membership is 423 baptized members and 358 confirmed members representing households. Average attendance in 2008 was 179 per Sunday. There were 336 confirmed members who communed in 2008 and 32 unconfirmed communing members.
The Educational Ministry of Peace
Sunday school classes for the children of Peace Lutheran began on Sunday, 24 January 1988, following the worship service. The Adult Sunday school class had its first session on 29 January 1989. There were no classes for children during the summer until 1990 when there was one large class for all ages. The children of the church presented their first Christmas program on 16 December 1990 during a potluck dinner following worship. During the meal the children, dressed as characters, interrupted to bring greetings and the Good News of Jesus. First Communion classes and confirmation classes have been a part of the educational ministry of Peace since the beginning. The first confirmation class, consisting of two girls, Erica Sagebiel and Jennifer Smith, were confirmed on Reformation Sunday 1990. Annual Vacation Bible Schools have been held each summer; however VBS had to be postponed during the summer of 2005 because of the building project. In addition to Sunday morning Bible study for adults, educational opportunities have included many special Bible studies as well as topical studies. A Spanglish class, led by David and Linda Lange, studied the lessons appointed for the Sundays of the church year in English and Spanish. A Reference Corner/Church Library was established in 1993 with Dorothy Ebert serving as the first librarian. Thanks to the work of Jerry Wehman and Sue Wittenborn, resources of the library were catalogued and put on computer. Jerry Wehman serves as the current librarian. The Puppet Ministry volunteers organized in January 2006 with Molly Koepp as facilitator.
The Music Ministry of Peace
Hope Blackman was the first organist; she served as volunteer organist until the end of 1989. A search for a new organist resulted in the selection of Greg Holbett of San Antonio to be the organist at a salary of $50.00 per week for a 40-week year. However, on 16 March 1989 he notified the congregation that he would not be able to be the organist, but Hope Blackman returned as organist. Connie Meyer was organist in 1994. Ashlyn Ramsburg Mengel, organist and Music Director in 1995, was extended a call to be the Director of Music at a congregational meeting on 21 January 1996. She resigned effective 16 June 1996 when she and her husband moved back to Atlanta in the fall of 1996. A substitute organist was hired through August of 1996. Cathy Brigham became the organist and director of music for Peace Lutheran Church on 20 October 1996. She was installed on 27 October. She served until 16 March 2003, when she resigned following her being awarded a Ph.D. in music and joining the staff of Concordia University, Austin. Today she is the Dean of the College of Adult Education at Concordia. In June 2003 Jeannie Kawozoe, who had served as substitute organist playing one Sunday of the month for a number of years, became the regular organist. The first choir director was George Probst who died in 1991. In February 1991 the choir was reorganized under the direction of Cathy Haueisen, a student at Texas Lutheran University and daughter of an ELCA pastor in the Dallas area. She resigned in the fall as she was working with the student congregation at TLU. In October 1991 the choir was revived with Penny Compton and John Schultz serving as director and assistant. Cathy Brigham served as choir director along with her duties as organist and director of music for six years until 2003. In June 2002, Bill Kretzmeier, who also serves as director of the local German Gemischte Chor, became the new choir director. Jeannie Kawazoe served as the accompanist. Following the resignation of Bill Kretzmeier in November 2006, Walter Sparkman accepted the job and now serves as Peace Lutheran’s choir director. Special music was provided for the dedication of the church in 1993 by a brass ensemble composed of Penny Compton, Max Ebert and Jennifer Smith. In August 1996 a band was formed which provided the music for a contemporary service once a month. Presently the band plays for the contemporary service at 10:30 am on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. Current members of the band include: Jeff Smith, keyboard & vocals; Rick Thomas, trumpet & vocals; Billy Deiker, guitar; & Bill Compton, bass guitar & vocals. Other members who have played with the band include: James Hargreaves, guitar; John Thiem, drums; Steve Heffelfinger, guitar; Jay Pfannstiel, vocals; & Ann Grunner, flute. There have been attempts to form a children’s choir. In 1995 it was noted that there may be enough children for a choir. A children’s choir scheduled regular rehearsals in 1997. During the Advent season, 2005, the Adult Choir presented a Cantata, “Born a Savior, Born a King,” by John Purifoy. The choir, directed by Bill Kretzmeier, was composed of 12 women and 8 men. Jeannie Kawazoe served as pianist. A Youth Band was organized in December 2005 with James Hargreaves as director. Their first public appearance was in the 2005 Christmas program.
The Youth Ministry of Peace After the completion of the church, the portable building became the youth building. During the construction of 2005, it was used as the contractor’s office. It has been moved across the parking lot and is again the youth building. The first youth group of Peace Lutheran, the PYG (Peace Youth Group) was formed on 12 August 1990. John and Becky Schultz were the sponsors of the group of 6th-12th graders. Regular meetings were scheduled for every other week. Special activities discussed included the following: outing to Enchanted Rock and Blanco State Park, hamburger cookout, Saturday babysitting for Christmas shoppers and a tour of the Christmas lights in San Antonio. A fundraiser was planned in 1991 for those attending summer Bible camp. The group also assisted with an Easter egg hunt for younger children. In 1994 John and Becky Schultz moved to Ohio. James and Gena Orth and Cory and Valarie Wood were called as sponsors for the PYG. In July 1994 the Orths accompanied seven youth to the National Youth Gathering of the ELCA in Atlanta. Peace Youth were not able to attend the next Youth Gathering in New Orleans because of limited available space, so the group decided to go to Sky Ranch in Colorado in 1998. In 1998 the PYG was divided into three groups: 1) grades 4-6, which became the Peewees; 2) the confirmation class for grades 7 and 8; and the high school youth in grades 9-12. At the 21 January 2000 annual meeting of the congregation a playground was discussed. The committee to plan the playground consisted of Eric Edwin and John Thiem, co-chairs; Greg and Tina Butrico, Brent Clark, Mike Cobb, Janice Thiem and Jack Ralph. The plan was approved at a 19 November 2000 congregational meeting. The site selected was south of the classroom wing. In 2005 the playground had to be removed because of the building program. In 2006, a new updated playground was added where the portable building had stood. The Peewees, 4th, 5th and 6th graders, with Valarie Wood and Kathy Smith as sponsors, collected $330.05 for the children of Afghanistan in 2002. The need and desirability of having a part-time youth director was noted and on 1 November 2002 Ryn DeYoung, a student at Texas Lutheran University, became the youth director (part-time) and served until the summer of 2003. The congregation decided it was necessary to take a more active role in the oversight of the youth activities and a group of interested persons became involved. The Church Council also voted to make the position of youth director full time. From these efforts a Youth Advisory Board was formed, consisting of the following persons: Kathy Pfullmann, council member; Mike Stallings, chair; James Wellbrock, youth; Robbi Will and Patty Young. On 1 August 2005 Angie Hargreaves, a graduate of Texas Lutheran University, became the full time Director of Youth Ministry of Peace Lutheran. She was a counselor at Lutheran Camp Chrysalis, Kerrville several summers. Angie Hargreaves has planned a full schedule of youth activities. Peace Kid’s Club has the following schedule: the Pyglet Youth Group (Kindergarten through 3rd grade) and the PeeWee Youth Group (4th through 6th grades) meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month from 4:30 to 6:00 pm for Bible study, crafts, games, music and snacks. The Peace Youth Group (high school students) has attended ELCA Youth Gatherings and benefited from attending numerous retreats and camps over the years. 7th and 8th graders are in confirmation instruction under the direction of the pastor and youth director. Seventy-five youth have been confirmed in the life of the congregation.
The Women’s and Men’s Ministry of Peace
The women of Peace Lutheran met following worship on 7 August 1988 to discuss forming a unit of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The women organized the Women of the ELCA of Peace Lutheran Church on 14 September 1988 at a meeting held at the home of Barbara Shea. Thirteen women were present including Mary Ann Pfennig of San Antonio, a member of the Board of the San Antonio Conference of the Women of the ELCA. Hope Blackman signed the minutes. They adopted a constitution on 9 February 1989 and Hope Blackman and Becky Schultz were selected as co-chairs of the new organization which was to meet twice a month: once for Bible study and once for fellowship. Assembling school kits for Lutheran World Relief was adopted as a project. Some 8 complete kits as well as some extra items were collected in one month. In 1990 a Prayer Chain was organized. The group continued with their Lutheran World Relief project by gathering 15 school kits in 1992 and making at least 10 quilts for those in need anywhere in the world. The Women of Peace had their first Thankoffering service during the 10:30 worship service on 24 October 1993 and hosted the local Church Women United World Community Day on 5 November 1993. They hosted the San Antonio area Women of the ELCA in 1994; however, due to declining attendance they scheduled no meetings in 1995. After several unsuccessful attempts to reorganize, a group of women revived the women’s work in 1999. They met on 28 October of that year to make quilts for Lutheran World Relief. In January 2000 they decided to quilt on two Tuesdays a month from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Later the group decided to quilt every Tuesday. In January 2001 the group started a Bible study from 9:00 to 10:30 am on the second Tuesday of each month. Also in 2002 the women began Super Sundays on Super Bowl Sunday. This event begins with a covered dish dinner after the late service and then the quilt making continues until evening. In the years from 1999 to 2008 the women have made 1444 quilts, assembled 419 school kits, 206 health kits, 85 layettes and collected 164 sweaters as well as some soap for Lutheran World Relief. These items are taken to a collection point in San Antonio the week following Easter and shipped to the Lutheran World Relief warehouse in Maryland, from where they are sent to those in need around the world. The women also make afghans and pillows for the local Children’s Shelter. There is also a women’s Bible study the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm. In 1989 a men’s group was established. They meet every month for breakfast on the first Wednesday at 7:00 am.
Stephen Ministry
For a number of years Peace Lutheran Church had as a part of its long range plans the establishment of a Stephen Ministry program which provides effective lay Christian care to those who are in a crisis or going through struggles in life. After receiving 50 hours of training, Stephen Ministers are matched with care receivers and provide visits, prayers, and encouragement. In October, 2007, Pastor Gary and Carolyn Smith began training its first class of Stephen Ministers and commissioned them on Sunday, April 13, 2008. The first class included: Larry Crowell, Ellie Koester, Becky Krogness, Rhonda Schmidt, Ellie Woytek, and Patricia Vollentine. In July 2008, Bruce Thatcher and Carolyn Smith attended training to become Stephen Leaders and are currently training three more lay members to become Stephen Ministers. They have also joined St. Paul Lutheran in a joint venture of providing these training classes. Since May 2008, Peace Lutheran’s Stephen Ministers have provided over 242 hours individual care to members of the congregation. Additionally, 874 hours of their time have been given to training, supervision, and for preparation and general administration of the program. In the future the team hopes to expand its ministry to the community at large.
The Office Secretary of Peace Lutheran Church Peace Lutheran Church had no paid secretary during its early years. Larry Crowell assisted with some office duties. Patty Berry volunteered to do the bulletins and newsletters during the time the office was in the portable building. Karen Koepp and Joyce Sarvey served as volunteer secretaries after the church was built. Others who helped with these duties include Dolores Gunderson, Betty Hawthorne and Becky Solis. In August 1995 the Church Council discussed the need for a part-time secretary and a secretary was hired in September. The following have served as employed office secretaries of Peace Lutheran: Sandy Taylor – Sept 1995 – fall of 1995 Angie Thomas – fall of 1995 until August 1999 Jane Granado – 1999 Nina Hightower – July 2000 – March 2001 Slana Graves – April 2001 – Jan 2002 Valarie Wood – Feb 2002 – Present
Retired Pastors Find a Home in Peace Several retired pastors have been members of Peace Lutheran from its very beginning. Myron Blackman and Julius Holm were charter members. Other retired pastors who are or have been members of Peace include the following: Don Boyd, Robert Braun, Albert Buhl, Stephen Clark, Julius Holm, Charles Probst, Robert Pfennig, and L. G. Wehman. In addition, David Lange, a former pastor of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, Bernie Ward-Crixell, chaplain at McKenna Hospital and Alan Watt, interim pastor specialist for the synod, are members. Elliott Pancoast, former assistant to the bishop of the Southwestern Texas Synod, ELCA, was a member of the congregation. The congregation celebrated the following ordination anniversaries: Pastor Holm’s 50th, in 1988; Pastor Probst’s 50th in 2005; Pastor Robert (Bob) Pfennig and Pastor L.G. Wehman’s 50th, in 2008. There was also a celebration for Pastor Gary Lange’s 25th anniversary of ordination in 2005.
From the Church Record Book
Statistics as of 31 December 2008
Total number of baptisms: 181 – 163 children and 23 adults The first baptism: 5 June 1988 - Jennifer Maumann, daughter of Ron and Karan Maumann
Total number of confirmations: 97 The first confirmation service: 28 October 1990 – Erica Sagebiel and Jennifer Smith
Total number of marriages: 64 The first marriage: (no date) Stephen and Joyce Wilson – non-members
Total number of funerals: 49 The first funeral: 17 March 1991 - George Probst
Total number of person who have belonged to Peace Lutheran Church – 904
Baptized Membership - 423 Confirmed Membership - 358 Average Sunday Attendance - 179
BIBLIOGRAPHYFirst Protestant Church
History
HISTORICAL TIME LINE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
15 Jun 1987 – David Schulte accepts call to organize a mission congregation in New Braunfels1 Aug 1987 – David Schulte arrives in New Braunfels to begin work 13 Dec 1987 – First Worship Service in Memorial Primary School 11 Sep 1988 – Charter Membership opened and 66 signed 15 Jan 1989 – Peace Lutheran Church organized; Charter Membership closed with 88 members 26 Feb 1989 – Pastor Schulte installed as pastor of Peace Lutheran Church 15 Oct 1989 – Congregation votes to build temporary building when funding is resolved 11 Feb 1990 – Temporary building dedicated 23 Aug 1992 – Groundbreaking service for church facility 28 Mar 1993 – Church dedicated 9 Nov 1997 – Church Council accepts Pastor Schulte’s resignation effective 1 Dec 1997 12 Jul 1998 – Congregation issues Call to Gary Lange to be pastor 13 Sep 1998 – Pastor Lange installed as pastor of Peace Lutheran Church 12 Dec 2004 – Congregation votes to build addition to church (one of several votes) 27 Mar 2005 – Groundbreaking service for addition 4 Dec 2005 – Dedication of addition 14 Sept 2008- Celebration of 20th Anniversary of Charter 18 Jan 2009- Celebration of 20th Anniversary of Organization
Bob Pfennig December 2008 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
New Braunfels was founded on 21 March 1845 when a group of German immigrants under the leadership of Nicolaus Zink set up camp on Comal Creek (now Dry Comal Creek) near the present-day site of Sts. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church. The campsite was selected by Prince Carl of Solm-Braunfels, the first commissioner general of the Adelsverein (Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas), which was attempting to organize a German settlement in Texas. The first Protestant worship service was led by the Reverend Louis C. Ervendberg, who had been chosen by Prince Carl to serve as the Protestant pastor for the immigrants. The church (today First Protestant Church) was organized in October 1845, making it the first church in New Braunfels. The first Lutheran church in the New Braunfels area was St. Martin Lutheran Church, founded by Pastor Theobald G. Kleiss, who was ordained in Grensach, Baden, Germany in March 1850. His first Call was to organize the German Lutherans in the New Braunfels area, arriving in the fall of 1850. The next year the Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Neighborsville built St. Martin Lutheran Church. Around the end of the 19th century, a shortage of German-speaking Lutheran pastors necessitated the congregation to seek a pastor from the Evangelical or Reformed denomination. Eventually the church was closed and members joined the German speaking Friedens or First Protestant Church in New Braunfels. The old church building still stands on Loop 337 in New Braunfels in possession of St. Paul Lutheran Church. In the early 1920’s the Mission Board of the Texas District of the former Iowa Synod began consideration of the establishment of a Lutheran congregation in New Braunfels. In the late summer of 1925, the Rev. Henry H. Schliesser began work in New Braunfels. The first worship service was held in Mergele’s Hall on Seguin Street on 20 September 1925. On 21 March 1926 the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Paul Congregation was organized. The first church, a small chapel, measuring 20’x36’ was built in 1927.
|
|
| Copyright 2008. All rights reserved | home | about us | worship | outreach | gallery | contacts |