Palatine’s Christ Lutheran celebrates 60th anniversary
Christ Lutheran Church, 41 S. Rohlwing Road, in Palatine, celebrated its 60 year, diamond anniversary with a special evening reception and concert on Saturday, June 22, and a celebratory worship service on Sunday, June 23. Current, former and prospective church members and friends were in attendance.
It was the first Lutheran Church within the area between Mount Prospect and Crystal Lake, established with the National Lutheran Council, in the early 1950s.
The anniversary theme, “Learning and Growing Together,” was based on the Bible verse John 15:5: “I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me, you can do nothing.”
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church was established on June 28, 1953, thanks to those who recognized the need for a Lutheran church in the suburbs of Chicago. It was officially organized and designated as a “package mission” of the American Lutheran Church. During this time, the congregation met in the Oak Street School (now known as Gray M. Sanborn Elementary School), until the church building was built at 41 S. Rohlwing Road and dedicated to God, on June 12, 1955.
Today, although charter members have past, many of their families still attend or keep in touch with the church. At Sunday’s service, those with 50 years of membership of more were recognized: Howard Anderson, Jeanne Anderson, John Blyth, Marion Darman, Clifford and Ingeborg Dean, Jerry and Lois Frey, Dawn Graese, Margo Grulke, Dorothy McDaniel, Jeff Rollefson, Doreen Truckenmiller, Annetta Werneske, and the longest-time active member — Marjorie Stibgen — who has been at Christ Lutheran for 59 years.
“Our church was started by families, and it is still family fellowship that nurtures our church. We know one another, and there is something for everyone, the fellowships, activities and caring of members, just like when I started in 1954,” said Stibgen.
Since 1955, building additions, and restorations have taken place, but the beautiful woodcarvings that adorn the altar, reading desk, baptismal font, as well as the figure of Christ on cross, carved by founding member John Torell, are still a reminder of the dreams, prayers, hard work and dedication of the families that strived to established a Lutheran Church in the area.
Just as those who planted the seed of Christ Lutheran Church on the day of its birth, the current community of CLC, along with the Rev. Paul Hayes, interim pastor, planted a colorful Japanese maple tree in the front of the church, to remind them to nurture the growth of the church and give thanks for their holy place of worship. He points to Proverbs, Chapter 3, which pictures wisdom as “the Tree of Life for those who embrace her”; and hopes this tree will give people a renewed desire to welcome God’s path.
Currently Hayes presides worship services for Christ Lutheran Church while the call committee of the church continues to seek a minister, to take over from retired minister the Rev. Dr. Craig Wagner, who was pastor for 20 years.
“God is good all the time — all the time, God is good. God has certainly watched over and blessed our church, as we have dealt with peaks and valleys over these 60 years,” says Sharon Whiting, president of Christ Lutheran. “We look to Scripture for guidance, and we find John 15:12: ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.’ We are bound together by love, compassion, and strong faith at Christ Lutheran.”
Following the reception, prior to the concert, Ken Spengler, member and professional organist at Christ Lutheran Church for 46 years, introduced Steven Smith, president of Triune Music Company and representative for Rodgers’ Instruments Corporation. Smith designed and installed Christ Lutheran’s Rodgers III manual digital organ. Then, Spengler introduced guest organist Adam Gruber, an Arlington Heights native, who entertained the crowd for over an hour with traditional and contemporary organ music (from Bach to the Beatles). One of the pieces that Gruber played was “Passacaglia”, a creative piece with Bach undertones, written by his former organ teacher, Dr. Dennis Northway, from Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park.
Gruber, a talented accomplished performer currently attends Oberlin Conservatory in Oberlin, Ohio, and has been featured on Chicago’s classical music station, WFMT. He has played “from Seattle to Scotland” in his young career, and he is honored to be an E. Power Biggs Fellow of the Organ Historical Society.
On Sunday, the Rev. Cynthia K. Hileman, associate bishop, from the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America inspired and challenged worshippers from the start, by teaching them American Sign language for these words: Growing in Love for All People. She asked the congregation how they can lift others up, and said that it is important to be open to new learning and ideas, in order to understand God and grow. She also stressed that growth means change, just like a tree needs pruning to grow. In closing, Hileman blessed the congregation, saying, “May Christ Lutheran Church be a place for people to be lifted up and for those longing for the light of God.”
“Jubilate! (Everybody make a Joyful Noise),” by G. Gilpin was sung by Christ Lutheran’s spirited Chancel Choir, and several inspirational duets were played by organist/member Ken Spengler and pianist/music director, Dr. Yeeseon Kwon.
After service, ushers handed out a special thank you token to everyone; a “Seeds of Faith” bookmark/biodegradable cross, embedded with wildflower seeds, to plant at home. As the final festivities concluded, and the last person shoveled the red mulch around the newly planted tree, attendees looked up and saw a shepherd’s crook “drawn” in the sky. “Look! God is watching us!” said a boy. An adult nearby said, “Yes, forever.”
Christ Lutheran Church invites you to worship services on Sunday mornings at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Stop in the Holy Grounds coffee shop after worship. They offer programs for everyone: Sunday school, Youth, Spirited Women’s Group, Men’s Group, Quilting Group for Lutheran World Relief, Adult Education, Bike Group, Bible Studies, Green Team, Gardening Group, and many others. For information, contact the church office at (847) 358-4600 or visit www.clcpalatine.org.
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