DEDICATION
We dedicate this 25th Anniversary Booklet to the glory of God, Who in His abundant love and mercy has generously bestowed His blessings upon Grace Lutheran Church, guiding and strengthening us as we are called to carry on the work of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
“PRAISE THE LORD! O GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER.” (Psalm 106:1)
When we of Grace Lutheran Church look back on twenty-five years of life together in the Lord, we cannot but praise our glorious Redeemer for all the loving-kindness and mercy that He has richly showered down upon us. Twenty-five years of Christian Fellowship, of labor and love in the Lord Jesus, is a significant time in the life of a congregation. It is time enough to grow and to grow up to see relationships from the viewpoint” of ‘eternity, from the vantage point of God’s mercy which endures for ever.
“WHO CAN UTTER THE MIGHTY ACTS OF THE LORD? WHO CAN SHOW FORTH ALL HIS PRAISE?” (Psalm 106:2)
From the words of the founding families, who first suggested a mission in Woodbridge, the first chaplain, who spoke the strong and gracious Word of God to us, to the early Pastors and lay leaders, who stated a need for a permanent House of God, and to these who speak God’s Word and lead God’s people today at Grace, we all can only utter the mighty acts of what our Lord has done for us and through us and, sometimes, in spite of us! Who can show forth all His praise?
“REMEMBER US, O LORD, WITH THE FAVOR THAT, THOU BEAREST TO THY PEOPLE; O VISIT US WITH THY SALVATTON.” (Psalm lO6:4)
The namesake of our congregation is GRACE, the undeserved favor of God given to all mankind on account of the freely given sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. G-R-A-C-E is God’s Riches At Christ‘s Expense. Martin Luther loved to talk about and preach about God’s Gnade, His loving-kindness and steadfast love toward us and all people. In the cross of Calvary we see God’s loving heart and the tender, forgiving feelings which God has for lost mankind. Thank you, dear Father in Heaven, for giving your love to us in Jesus!
“THAT WE MAY SEE THE GOOD OF THY CHOSEN, THAT WE MAY REJOICE IN THY JOY, AND BE GLORIED WITH THINE INHERITANCE.” (Psalm lO6:5)
Standing in the present of a quarter-century milestone, we have looked to the past and now we must look to the future. The same gracious God who has been good to us up till now will continue to bless us in the years ahead. The Father and the Son send to us the Holy Spirit so that we may see our good in the goodness of the Chosen One, the Elect One, Jesus Christ. Our present and future joy is found in Jesus: J-O-Y, Jesus, Others, Yourself. Our ultimate hope is to share the glory of God in Heaven. Our ultimate future is secure because it is founded on God’s grace in Christ, extended and shared in Word and Sacrament, and firmly grasped by a bold and living faith! We share in and shall share in all the promises of God because Jesus Christ is our inheritance, a Personal Legacy whom no one can take from us!
Thanking the Lord with you,
Pastor Alan Hartfield
HISTORICAL SKETCH
“Grace” - the unmerited divine assistance given man for his regeneration and sanctification. Through twenty-five years of blessing, God’s grace has brought our church out of humble beginnings and has helped us to grow physically and spiritually.
We can trace our beginnings to Concordia Lutheran Parish, Triangle, Virginia, on September 13, 1959. This mission congregation was established by Reverend Fred Vonderlage who was called by the Mission Board of the Southeastern District, Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, to establish a congregation In the Dumfries - Triangle - Woodbridge area. Many of these original Concordia members lived in Woodbridge, prompting the Southeastern District and the Concordia voters to encourage the development of a new congregation in Woodbridge.
In December l960, Pastor Vonderlage began a separate worship service and Sunday School in the buildings now known as R. Dean Kilby School on Horner Road, Woodbridge. Thirty-six confirmed members were released from the rolls of; Concordia parish forming the new Woodbridge mission church. In order to help Pastor Vonderlage, Chaplain G.W. Hyatt, then stationed at the Pentagon, was engaged in November 1961. For several months Pastor Vonderlage and Chaplain Hyatt alternated in serving the Woodbridge and Triangle churches.
In 1961, under the dual parish arrangement, a four-acre parcel of land on Longview Drive, Woodbridge, was purchased by the District at a price of $20,000. In October of that year a contract was entered into with Milton Prassas Associates, Washington, D.C., to draw plans for the new church.
The voters assembly of Concordia and the District Mission Board agreed to dissolve the Triangle - Woodbridge dual parish arrangement as of July l, 1962. At that time, Chaplain Hyatt began to serve the Woodbridge church regularly. The Mission Board then extended a call to the Reverend George McRee, of Memphis, Tennessee, who had spent twenty years building mission churches in various, states. Reverend McRee was installed as the first resident pastor of Grace Mission on September 23, 1962.
From the beginning, rapid growth could be seen in the church, and by the end of 1962 there were one hundred sixty baptized members and sixty-five communicant members. In April 1963, Grace Lutheran Church was formally received into membership in the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
A ground breaking ceremony was held at the Longview parcel on, Easter Sunday 1963, and in May construction began by the firm of C. M. Hale Company of Kensington, Maryland.
The modernistic structure with an unusual undulating roof design was a departure from traditional architecture. However, it was expected to complement the sweeping lines of the main edifice which was to be added as the Congregation grew.
Though major construction was done by the Hale Company, much of the interior work was done by Reverend McRee and many other dedicated members of the congregation. Their efforts produced the Chance cross, the altar, the communion rail, the pulpit, the baptismal font, hymn boards, cabinets and shelves.
They spent countless hours painting, planting grass and shrubbery, and building walks and the footbridge spanning the creek in front of the church. These hours of living service saved enough money to allow the purchase of chairs and tables, the exterior cross, and various construction items.
The building was completed at a cost of $140,000, and the dedication service was held on Jubilate Sunday, April 19, 1964.
Grace congregation said farewell to Reverend McRee during a special service on Reformation Sunday, October 31, 1965, and welcomed its first called pastor, Reverend Ronald Jackson, on November 14, l965.
Grace continued to grow under the pastoral leadership of Pastor Jackson. Church records for 1965 show five hundred baptized members, two hundred forty confirmed members, and a Sunday School enrollment of three hundred forty-eight. Many important programs that became an integral part of our church activities were initiated during Pastor Jackson’s tenure, including the acolyte program, the greeter’s program, Christian pre-school and kindergarten education, and Action in the Community Through Service (ACTS), a joint venture involving nine-teen area churches. To represent our church in the community ACTS program, Grace organized and maintained ACTS Alive within the church to provide emergency assistance to the congregation and to function within the larger ACTS program. ACTS Alive was involved with the sponsorship of the two refugee families Grace supported.
Pastor Jackson and other members of the congregation were also actively involved in the effort to secure hospital facilities for eastern Prince William County. Their efforts helped to make Potomac Hospital a reality in November, 1972.
One of the church’s first major financial undertakings of this time, aside from the church’s construction, was the effort to purchase a parsonage on Longview Drive. This was accomplished by means of a program dubbed “Operation Equity” in which church members were encouraged to deposit their savings in God’s Bank, a religious, charitable, non-profit organization of the South-eastern District. A loan was then secured through God‘s Bank, and the parsonage was purchased.
Another important step, taken three years after Pastor Jackson’s installation, was the congregational vote to declare itself self-sufficient as of January 1, 1969. Grace Lutheran Church was accepted into membership of the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod during its convention at Richmond in May of that year.
In February 1973, Pastor Jackson was called to Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Bristol, Connecticut. Pastor Robert Schoenheider; served Grace congregation until the installation of its new called pastor, Reverend Paul Hoffman, in December 1973.
During these years Grace became involved in many Christian outreach endeavors including Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Social Service and the sponsorship of two separate refugee families.
Gulam Allihbai arrived from Uganda in December 1972, with the rest of his family arriving in February l973.
Having lost nearly all their possessions, this family of four was assisted in numerous ways by the members of Grace, especially in finding housing, employment, and providing overall support until the family became self-supporting. Encouragement and support continued for several years afterward.
Another family, the Vo Duc Dai family, arrived from Vietnam in June 1975. Under the direction of Grace’s ACTS Alive committee, this family of nine was given financial and emotional support to help them adjust to their new life. They were assisted in finding housing, jobs, and medical care. Clothing, furnishings, and a car were donated by the congregation, and within one year this grateful family was self-supporting.
Assistance in the form of free-will offerings of money, furniture, clothing and supplies was also provided on two other occasions: to the Hai Kim Nguyen family, also Vietnamese refugees, and to a desperate, needy family in the community.
Pastor Hoffman accepted a call to Bethel Lutheran Church in Dallas, Texas, in January 1978. Grace Lutheran Church welcomed her new pastor, Reverend Alan R. Hartfield, on June 25, 1978. He came from Trinity Lutheran Church in Chestertown, Maryland, and continues to serve our congregation in this 25th anniversary year. He encourages and supports the activity of the various boards and organizations within the church, participates- in the Senior Choir, and involves the children of the congregation in regular children’s sermons. He has also been actively involved in a Pastoral Counseling Center which served the Woodbridge - Dale City area for several years. His pastoral leadership is a blessing to our church as we work toward unity of purpose and fulfillment of our Christian goals.
During the years of growth within the church it became obvious that the Sunday School facilities were inadequate to meet the needs of the congregation. In 1980 a committee was appointed to study the feasibility of renovation of the narthex, church offices, educational area, and the church exterior. The project received support from the Pastor and congregation, and the construction began in March l98l. Corkill Associates of Glen Dale Hts., Maryland, completed the architectural design for the project. But again, the industrious service of many within the congregation enabled the completion of a major project undertaken in a spirit of faith and dedication. The new narthex, offices, Sunday School rooms were joyfully dedicated on Sunday, September 11, 1983.
Then, yet another challenge confronted Grace. Time and the elements had continued to take their toll on the roof of the church. Efforts to correct the problems by redecking a large portion of the roof in 1975 and subsequent recoatings were not successful. It became obvious that major roof repair would be essential.
While various alternatives were being considered to under-take the project, a portion of the funds necessary to finance it was found in an overlooked Certificate of Deposit in God’s Bank. This discovery provided the impetus to go ahead with the major roof rebuilding plan, with the remaining funds being generously donated by the congregation. In June of 1984 the company of W.R. Manchester of Alexandria, Virginia, completed construction of a flat roof over the original undulating design.
Grace Lutheran Church presently has a baptized membership of four hundred ninety-one with three hundred fifty-seven confirmed members. The church has grown and changed dramatically in its twenty-five year history, as has the community it serves. In the past, Grace Lutheran Church was the location of the Woodbridge Training Center for the Mentally Retarded until l967 when it moved to its present facilities on Smoketown Road, Woodbridge. It was also the meeting place for a Jewish congregation needing classroom facilities on Saturday mornings during 1973. Also, until recently, ACTS Turning Points for abused women met in Grace’s facilities.
At present, in addition to the regular worship and fellow-ship activities of Grace congregation, the church facilities are also used by a Korean Presbyterian congregation on Sunday afternoons, and by the Alcoholics Anonymous Morning Break group on Mondays and Wednesdays. Members of the community and surrounding areas are warmly welcomed to Grace’s worship services, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and special events.
ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH
Numerous boards and guilds within Grace Lutheran Church form the heart of its Christian ministry.
Members of the congregation are elected to serve in the offices of President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Financial Secretary, as well as on the Boards of Elders, Education, Evangelism, Trustees, Finance and Stewardship.
The Church Council is made up of the Congregational President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairmen of the various church boards and one representative each from LWML and the youth group organiza-tions. Its overall function is to foster unity and cooperation in carrying out the Christian purpose of the congregation. Among other duties established by the church constitution, it has the power to develop and implement church programs which are not under the direct control of the Voters Assembly, propose an annual budget, and eliminate or add committees, as necessary, to further the work of the church.
The Board of Elders is presently comprised of thirteen members who assist the Pastor and serve as the basis of contact between the Church and members living in various areas of the community. They are available to handle problems and concerns within the congregation and matters of spiritual welfare. By the approval of the Voters Assembly in June l984, the Elders are permitted to assist the Pastor in the distribution of the elements during Holy Communion.
The Board of Education consists of six members who are responsible for the organization and direction of the Christian educational programs within the church, including Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and the Confirmation program.
The educational programs of Grace have a rich history of their own, beginning with the first Sunday School and Vacation Bible School meeting in Dean Kilby School before the facilities of Grace Lutheran Church were completed. During the years of 1967 - 1974 Grace maintained a Christian pre-school and kindergarten known as “Kiddie Kollege”, which was open to members of the congregation and the community. After Kiddie Kollege closed in 1974, a weekday pre-school program continued in the church until 1979.
Grace congregation was also blessed to be able to offer the Bethel Bible Series. Several members of the church received in-depth training to qualify them to teach this two-year overall Bible study to interested members of the congregation. The first class was held on November l, 1978, and the two-year series has been taught several times since then.
The Sunday School program at Grace serves all ages from two years through adulthood. Nursery services are provided for infants and toddlers. Periodically, special adult instruction is provided by the Pastor.
The confirmation program is designed to instruct the young people of the congregation to prepare them for active membership in the church. The program presently serves 5th and 6th graders in pre-confirmation instruction and 7th and 8th graders in more in-depth study which leads to confirmation, the conferral of full church membership and privileges.
The Board of Evangelism consists of five members whose primary duties are to carry the Gospel to the unchurched, enlist the help of all of God’s people in the work of spreading the Gospel, and deepening the faith and activity of the members of the congregation.
The Board of Trustees, presently comprised of seven members, is responsible for the administration, repair, and maintenance of the property of the congregation.
The Board of Finance, with three members including the church treasurer and financial secretary, carries out the financial business of the congregation. They propose the annual budget, supervise fund raising, supervise and coordinate the expenditure of church funds, and count and record financial contributions.
The Board of Stewardship, consisting of, six members, encourages and coordinates the use of time, talent, and treasure from each member of the congregation to achieve the church’s goals of Christian ministry. The efforts of the board are climaxed each year in the annual Stewardship Drive which is designed to help each church member individually recognize and develop his own time, talent, and treasure for effective Christian service and growth.
Grace Lutheran Church is especially blessed to have had the services of dedicated administrative assistants who perform numerous secretarial and administrative duties in the church office and in close contact with the Pastor and the congregation. ln the early years of our church these duties, were carried out by various volunteers from the congregation. These services were also performed by a parish worker from July 1967 through July 1969, and by a hired deaconess from July 1970 until December 1971. The church Voters Assembly approved the hiring of its first administrative assistant in February 1977.
MUSIC PROGRAMS
The choir of Grace Lutheran Church provides the music ministry for the congregation during regular worship and special church services. Through the years, Grace has been served by many dedicated organists, choir directors, and choir members.
There have been times, in previous years, when there were only a few choir members; other times, as in this anniversary year, the Senior Choir is a beautiful blend of many voices.
The children of Grace congregation have also contributed to the worship in song, sometimes sharing the music they have learned in Sunday School or Vacation Bible School. In the past, when there has been sufficient interest, Grace has also had a Junior Choir. Our present Junior Choir, with its own director, meets regularly to learn songs and rehearse them for presentation during the worship services.
AUXILIARIES
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) of Grace Lutheran Church is able to trace its history back to the formative years of the congregation itself. The first meeting was held at the home of Rosemarie Owen on July 19, 1962.
LWML is an auxiliary of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod with three main, objectives – mission service, mission education, and mission inspiration. The first 10% of all income raised by the LWML through projects such as yard sales, bake sales, cook book and calendar sales is donated to local, national and international missions.
Mite boxes are channels of personal giving by LWML members. Seventy-five percent of the funds raised from this effort are used in District LWML endeavors, while twenty-five percent is forwarded to the International organization.
In the early years of our church, LWML provided nursery care during worship services, altar care, baptismal napkins and special help for the area’s needy families. Many of these services now fall under the direction of other boards within the church, LWML is actively involved in, such projects as the Memorial Fund, banner projects, confirmation dinners and banquets, and Bible studies.
LWML has donated many items to our church, including the organ, kitchen and nursery furnishings, and carpeting in the Chancel and other areas of the building.
GUILDS
The Dorcas Altar Guild. performs valuable service to the church in its preparation and care of the altar throughout the year. It is presently comprised of nine women members of the church and our Pastor. The guild cares for the altar linens and prepares the altar each Sunday for the appropriate worship service, including flower arrangements and preparation of the elements for Holy Communion.
FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Throughout the twenty-five year history of Grace Lutheran Church, fellowship has been a very special blessing among the members of the congregation. There have been numerous youth and adult groups which have contributed so much to the spiritual and physical growth of the church as well as reaching out to the community in Christian love.
This joyful fellowship continues in the youth and adult groups that currently function within Grace.
The Krazy Kristian Kids are our 7th and 8th grade confirmands involved in just-for-fun activities throughout the year. The CIA (Christians in Action) are confirmed youth and young adults who meet regularly and provide many special services for Grace including the Easter egg hunt, Easter Sunrise Service, Halloween Party, and birthday party for Jesus.
The Couples Club is a fellowship for adult couples that evolved from a marriage encounters group (“Love As A Couple”) under the leadership of Pastor Hoffman in January and February 1975. The club sponsors various planned events including dinner theater outings and progressive dinners. At one time, the Couples-also maintained a Lutheran Book Store (through Concordia Publishing House) offering reading materials and inspirational items.
Fun and fitness are the rewards of involvement in Grece’s basketball and softball teams. Members of these teams enjoy Christen fellowship with each other and with members of other area churches during regularly scheduled intramural games.
REFLECTIONS
From its humble beginnings as a mission church, the twenty-five year history of Grace Lutheran Church is filled with memories. There have been times of joy and times of heartache, times of difficulty and times of triumph, many challenges and many fulfillments. But as we reflect on the years of growth and development we rejoice in the knowledge of God’s presence. As Grace has met each challenge in faith, God has responded with the fulfillment of His promises. And we give thanks to God for all the very special people of Grace congregation and friends of Grace who contributed so lovingly in so many ways through the years.
As we look to the future, let us do so with great joy and expectation. Each new day becomes a new opportunity to serve God, seeking His will and constant fellowship with Him. Each challenge, met with confidence and trust in God, is a step forward in our mission to carry out Christ work, to share with each other and with the world around us the Good News of God’s grace.
The Spirit of our Lord, the Spirit of Grace and Love and Truth is truly among us.
PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED US
 Reverend E. Fred Vonderlage (1960 · 1962): Reverend Vonderlage was born in Fremont, Nebraska. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1953, and an M.A. in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis in 1958. In 1959 he received his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and was ordained at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Franconia, Virginia, on September 6, 1959. He began serving Concordia Mission in September 1959 and Grace Mission from December 1960 until September 1962.
Reverend Vonderlage has held numerous teaching and administrative positions since that time, including Associate Professor of History at Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He is currently a broker-realtor and also serves as Assistant Pastor at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Ft. Wayne.
 Chaplain Gerhardt W. Hyatt (1961 - 1962): Chaplain Hyatt was born in western Canada was educated at Concordia College, Edmonton, Alberta. He received his seminary training at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and was ordained a minister in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod at Raleigh, North Carolina in 1943. He was commissioned a chaplain in the Army in 1944, serving military duty in Newport News, Seattle, Guam, and Korea. In 1952 he was assigned to the Office of Chief of Chaplains in the Pentagon.
He served the dual parishes of Concordia (Triangle) and Grace Mission (Woodbridge) on an alternating basis from November 1961 until July 1962, and the Grace parish regularly from July l962 until Reverend McKee was called in September 1962.
He was named Army Chief of Chaplains in 1971 and in 1975 he retired from the Army as a Major General. He has served as President of Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota, until recently. Currently, he is 2nd Vice President and Assistant to the President of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in St. Louis.
 Reverend George McRee (1962-1965): Reverend McRee was born in Newton, North Carolina. He attended Concordia College, Conover, North Carolina, and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. His work chiefly involved the building of mission churches in Illinois, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. Pastor McRee served Grace Lutheran Church from September 1962 until October 1965.
Pastor McRee is now retired and living in Newton, North Carolina. He winters in Sun City, Florida.
 Reverend Ronald E. Jackson (1962-1973): Reverend Jackson was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and was graduated from Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1961 he completed his studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, after which he worked as a “mission developer” in the Ashland area of Hanover Country, Virginia. There he was instrumental in the organization of two congregations, whom he served until accepting the call to Grace Lutheran Church in November 1965. His service continued until February 1973 when he was called to Immual Lutheran Church in Bristol, Connecticut. He is now Pastor of Covenant Lutheran Church in Bristol (affiliated with the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches).
 Reverend Paul G. Hoffman (1973-1977): Reverend Hoffman was born in Bronxville, New York. He graduated from Valparaiso University, Indiana, in 1967 and from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1971. He also attended the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond where he received an M.A. in Christian Education. In 1972 he was ordained and installed as the Assistant Pastor and Minister of Education and Youth at the Lutheran Church of St. Andrew, Silver Spring, Maryland. He accepted the call to Grace and served from December 1973 through 1977, when he was called to Bethel Lutheran Church in Dallas, Texas. He served there from January 1, 1978 until late 1983, and is now Senior Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Los Gatos, California.
Reverend Alan R. Hartfield (1978-Present): Reverend Hartfield was born on December 29, 1940, at Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He attended Concordia Junior College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne Indiana. He graduated from Concordia, Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1968 with a Master of Divinity degree, and was ordained in his home church on June 30, 1968. Before coming to Grace he served Good Shepherd in Sandy Spring, Maryland, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Chestertown, Md. He was installed as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church on June 25, 1978 and continues to serve us at present.
CHARTER MEMBERS OF GRACE
Members listed below were released from - Concordia Parish - Triangle, to Woodbridge, Va. on July 1, 1962 to form GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Abramson, Clifford H.
Abramson, Miriam A
Chitwood, Alice
Crocker, Ruth
Darnauer, Donald
Darnauer, Claire
Dauernheim, Louis
Dauernheim, Waltrand
Dombrowsky, Richard
Dombrowsky,
Forry, Norman
Forry, Janet
Griggers, Dorothy
Griswold, Betty
Holthus, Elmer
Holthus, Virginia
Keller, Robert
Keller, Mary Ann
Kluytman, Eleanor
Lewis, Maurice
Lewis, Marjorie
Makela, Victor
Makela, Lynn
McBride, John
McBride, Stella
Marlow, Janet
Owen, James
Owen, Rosemarie
Ritenour, Robert
Ritenour, Phyllis
Ruther, Vernon
Ruther, Doris
Ruther, Diane
Ruther, Jack
Szabo, John
Szabo, Wilma
PRESIDENTS OF GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
1962 James Owen
1963 Albert Weaver
1964 James Owen
1965 Louis Ostendorff Jr.
1966 Al Hemphill Sr.
1967 Hubert Moore
1968 Robert Ames
1970 Tommy Hickman
1971 Louis Ostendorff Jr.
1972 James Williams
1973 Don Kuntzelman
1974 John Payne
1975 Charles Bollmann
1976 Tal (Cecil) Anderson
1977 Richard Moss
1978 Richard Moss
1979 William Posey
1980 William Posey
1981 Whitney (Buck) Woodburn
1982 Orville Brockman
1983 Albert Kellert
1984 Gilbert Roesler
Roll Call of Saints – May 27, 1984
(Members of Grace who have died)
Jo Lynn Brueggen Oct. 11-65
Earl Caulin ???
Bessie Royston Dec. l8-67
Annabelle Barnhart Sept. 14-68
Mary Ann Johnson Dec. 30-72
Leonard Kemp Jan. 24-75
Elsie Oswald Feb. 8-76
Charles Bahm April 6-76
Lee James LeBarron April 28-77
Nancy Ann Vis Nov. 26-78
Dora M. Schultz Oct. 78
Geneffa Alfreda Brockman Mar. 17-79
Infant Rathbun Mar. 79
Caroline Robinson Nov. 28-79
Gary Fulcher Mar. 20-80
Mandy Sue Andrist Oct. 23-80
James W. Jackson April 6-81
Carol Stewart Dec. 27-81
Mildred G. Koch Oct. 30-82
James M. Palm Nov. 16-82
Charles J. Koch Mar. 7-83
Virginia Brueggen May 1, 63
Membership Grace Lutheran Church - as of July 1, 1984
Date of membership at Grace:
11/80 Adam, Raymond & Henrietta.
10/74 Anderson, Cecil & Carole - Darren, Cheryl
8/65 Andrist, Lowell & Denise - Martha
12/69 Ator, Martha
10/75 Ator, Donald V
2/84 Avellino, Maureen - Pam
10/66 Bahm, Mary Ellen - Robert
11/80 Bahrns, Steven & Elizabeth
2/75 Bartuch, Kathy
7/70 Beuock, John & Judy
1969 Bennett, Valerie
1977 Bennett, Jeff
10/75 Bennett, Charles & Betty - Chris, Randy
2/84 Berney, Melaine
11/64 Blevines, Wanda
12/79 Boatman, Howard, & Karen - Erik
6/76 Bogle, Richard & Kathy
10/77 Borland, Arthur & Kay - Michael, Chris
8/82 Boysen, Patricia
1/83 Boysen, Irvin (Skip)
5/75 Brockman, Orville
6/82 Brockman, Margaret
6/68 Brown, Franklin & Arlene
8/63 Brueggen, Edward - Jon, Lori Ann
2/71 Burke, Jack & Arlene
12/65 Calvin, Betty
1/83 Carstens, Virginia
11/80 Carter, Joan
5/68 Chergosky, Francis
7/62 Chitwood, Alice * Charter Member
6/83 Clancy, Bryant & Elma - Stephen
1/83 Clay Joseph & June
9/68 Clayton, Friederike
9/68 Clayton, Walter
3/69 Corbin, Grace
2/84 Costell, Elaine
5/67 Crabtree, Florence - Tina, Kimberley
2/71 Davies, Sheila - Brian, Diana, Rhonda, James Jr.
8/83 Duderstadt, Bruce
8/70 Eicher, Eileen - Deborah, Carl
10/75 Emminger, Ted & Louise - Lisette
5/84 Fagerberg, John
5/70 Fajna, Emil & Joyce - Michael, Mark, Nancy
3/78 Farrell, Bonnie
11/83 Fetherolf, Linda
10/67 Garrett, Lisa
10/64 Goetz, Donald & Lisa
11/64 Goretsas, Donald & Lola
9/83 Grafenstein, Gene
6/83 Haar, Patrick & Debra
2/75 Hall, Malcolm & Nadine - Wendy
4/63 Hammer, Harry & Jean
2/84 Hanley, John
4/80 Hannemann, George & Jean - George Jr., John-Karl
2/76 Harpine, Carol
6/78 Hartfield, Alan & Pamela - Laura
4/63 Havener, Shirley
10/64 Hawkins, Sandra
5/81. Heft, John
5/83 Heft, Tammy
4/77 Highfield, Roger & Diane
6/78 Hobbs, Diana
11/83 Hoffmier, James Sr. & Karen - James Jr.
6/83 Huff, John & Karen
1/83 Humt, Linda
6/74 Kellert, Aibert & Cheryl
6/65 Kinney, Elfrieda - Sharon
12/65 Kitchen, Brian
12/ 65 Kitchen, Norman & Kathryn - Michael
2/76 Kollas, Samuel & Shirley - Samuel Jr., Sharon
11/ 73 Kriethe, Jack & Mary - Vernon, Michael
10/75 LeBarron, James & Nancy
4/82 LeClerc, Richard & Sarah
5/79 Laabs, Chris
5/82 Laabs, Jennifer
8/81 Leahy, Margaret
2/ 79 Leiby, Larry
6/78 Leiby, Cheryl
2/74 Leidy, Paul & Joanne - James
5/83 Leveretein, Michelle
7/62 Lewis, Maurice & Marjorie - Warren, Alan * Charter Member
5/64 Little, James & Irene
5/64 Little, James Jr. & Freda
5/75 Livengood, Arthur & Nancy - Terry
5/75 Livengood, Bryan
9/80 Lowrie, Luther & Sandra - Steven ‘ V ` V
2/75 Luedke, Glenn & Judy
3/84 McClure, Henrietta
5/75 McIllvoy, Kenneth & Janice
1/81 McKeown, Charles & Patricia
6/67 Maddox, Laurie
6/74+ Marr, Francis & Barbara - David
5/84 Mekelburg, Michael & Sharon
1/ 83 Meyer, Bill & Barbara
4/79 Meyer, Roger
10/66 Miller, George (Sam) & Hope - Jennene
10/66 Miller, Jeff
5/67 Miller, Lori
10/83 Millsap, David & Patricia
5/73 Moss, Richard & Merva
4/65 Mummert, Jacqueline
6/76 Murcek, Walter & Carol
9/68 Murray, Norma
10/ 67 Nawab, Mary K.
6/67 Neth, Philip & Dolly - Wendy
5/67 Ottinger, Clyde & Nadine
5/67 Ottinger, Diana
1/78 Overbey, John & Sue
7/62 Owen, James & Rosemarie - Steven, Gary, Renee *Charter Member
1/80 Pantke, Tom & Linda
4/68 Payne, John & Mary - Virginia
4/68 Payne, Michael
5/67 Peter, Raymond
5/78 Pressler, Dan ,
5/78 Pressler, Tony
2/83 Prlce, George & Nancy - Amy
6/74 Raasch, Arnold
5/84 Redmann, Jeff & Gail
5/67 Reed, Karen
1/78 Reesey, Dean & Ruth - Dean Jr., Phillip, Larry
1/78 Reesey, Raymond
10/75 Roesler, Gilbert & Ina - Scott, Steve
5/84 Sargent, Susan
2/84 Schiltz, Dave & Sandra
1/65 Shaw, Florence
9/83 Shaw, Gary & Linda - Robin
9/68 Shugars, Sylvia
2/84 Spilker, Martina
10/64 Stewart, Ralph
5/67 Stierle, Jutta - Thomas
11/78 Sutor, Merri
2/80 Swavely, Brenda
5/68 Van Campenhout, Nancy
6/67 Van Schoick, Tracy
10/67 Walt, John & Celeste
2/84Watson, Beverly ` I
2/71 Wehr, Samuel & Daisy
5/81 Weiss, Robert
9/79 Weiss, Marcelle
1/ 78 Welch, Keren - Kevin . _
10/74 Wheeler, Daniel & Muriel - Dana, James
8/64 Williams, James & Margaret
5/75 Williams, Keith & Ellen - Tracy
5/84 Wise, Raymond & Suzanne - Renee
3/83 Woods, Willie & Jeanne
10/83 Yeargin, Frances
6/79 Zeigler, Steve & Debbie
DID YOU KNOW
The first Vacation Bible School of Grace (Mission) Church was held on June 18-29, 1962, at Dean Kilby School. Children of ages 3 to 14 years were encouraged to attend, and there was a registration fee of 25¢ per child.
When the church was being built many men of the congregation would devote an additional 6 to 8 hours of work at the church after arriving home from their jobs.
The first early worship service was held at 8:15 A.M. in December 1964.
The first birthday lists of Grace members were published in August 1965.
Grace’s newsletter was published quarterly until June 1965, and then published monthly. In October 1966 it became a weekly publication known as “Grace Notes.” It became the newsletter as we know it in January 1968.
During 1966 Fred Lynn School granted permission to Grace Lutheran Church to use its parking facilities during worship services.
In February 1966, Grace held one of its worship services in Marumsco Theater because the heating system in the church had failed.
In May 1967 Grace acquired a water fountain.
In July 1967 women of Grace congregation were given the right to vote during Voters Assemblies. Prior to this, only male members of the congregation over the age of 18 were permitted to vote. Women and youth could attend the assemblies and offer discussion, but could not vote.
The first Chrismon tree at Grace, trimmed with hand-made Chrismons, was decorated in December 1967.
From 1965 until 1970 Epiphany services were held around a large bonfire. Everyone was encouraged to attend and bring their Christmas tree for burning. The activity had to be discontinued when county ordinances prevented open air fires.
The annual Assateague beach trips began with Pastor Jackson in 1969, and continues to be the highlight of summer activity for our church’s young people.
In 1972, Hurricane Agnes caused the creek in front of the church to rise, flooding the kitchen area. Sandbagging kept the water out of the sanctuary.
The upper parking lot of the church was added in 1972 through a project known as “Operation Yellow Cat”, Families of the congregation were encouraged to contribute funds to pur-chase gravel. Two hundred tons of gravel, at a cost of $2.65 per ton, were needed to complete the project.
During the 1970’s the teens sponsored dances in the church parking lot. This was a community service, designed to provide wholesome activity and entertainment for the area youth.
The first prayer chain within the church was called the “Circle of Grace” and was initiated in September 1974.
The four-year confirmation program was begun in the mid-70’s under the supervision of Pastor Hoffman.
Our church library was organized in February 1977 and held open house in March 1977.
By decision of the Voters Assembly, the church parsonage was sold in July 1977. Rev. Hartfield was 1st to own his home.
The first woman to serve on the Board of Trustees was elected in l979.
The first woman to serve as Chairman of the Board of Elders was elected in 1980.
The present landscaping of the church resulted from the “Sponsor A Plant” program in 1983. Families and individuals within the congregation were encouraged to donate funds for specific plant materials that were part of an overall landscape plan.
YOU are a very special part of the unfolding history of Grace Lutheran Church. Let us give thanks and praise to Almighty God!
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