A Long and Complicated History (Life)

I have had the opportunity recently to prepare a lesson for our confirmation students on the history of St. John’s Lutheran Church and School.  We will celebrate our 170th anniversary on July 19, 2027. (We may plan something special for the weekend of July 17/18 … so stay tuned.)  

I was reading with considerable interest the history prepared at the congregation’s 75th anniversary in 1932.  It was a bit like reading a glorious record of God’s amazing and unending blessing, and the fabulous accomplishments of her pastors and other leaders. In the portion of the history written by Rev. M. Reinke, he observes that “To date life in our congregation has pursue(d) an even tenor, uninterrupted by any noteworthy event.”  There was a similar history prepared 25 years later with more information. 

However, there were a few complications along the way … 

• Two pastors died while they were pastor of St. John’s. Rev. Joseph Niethammer (1873-1890) was stricken with appendicitis while making sick calls. Rev. Paul Eickstaedt (1903-1930) died at his desk while filling out a baptismal certificate.
• The restriction on only preaching in the German language was lifted in 1904, but it wasn’t until two world wars were completed that the congregation was compelled to move away from the use of the German language. German services continued until 1951.
• In 1944 the church resolved to construct a new church building rather than remodel the building on the corner of “A” and 3rd streets.  The church wasn’t completed until 1954.  And before construction could begin, the architect, Mr. Hugo Hauser of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, died and another architect had to be engaged to complete the project.

Examples could be multiplied, but suffice it to say that St. John’s history is a long and complicated one. Sometimes meetings included significant rancor and there was no unanimous opinion among the members of the congregation. While we would like to imagine life in the church is a continuous realization of God’s abundant blessings, that is simply not an accurate reflection of our actual life together.

The same is true for each of us.  Our lives, and most especially our relationships, are a complicated mix of good and bad, evidence of grace and the clear demonstration of evil. In some cases God’s blessing is obvious and in other cases God’s desires are thwarted, and sometimes by our intentional action.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 11:8)  My efforts may come to naught … God’s love in Christ is certain.