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PHONE:
(702)732-2052
FAX:
702-734-3769
rfmlv@embarqmail.com
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Reformation Lutheran Church History page 3
prepared and written by:
Eileen Ward & Herb Hansen
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy were assassinated... President
Lyndon Johnson announced the end of bombing in Viet Nam... Six cents bought a
postage stamp...It was 1968, and the little church at Sixth and St. Louis was
beginning its period of greatest growth. Pastor J. Kenneth Edwins was in his
second year of ministry at Reformation Lutheran and would be with us the
entire decade. Our first 20 years were a time of building our physical
structure - our sanctuary and fellowship hall, in particular. This third
decade focused on building programs, and also saw many changes in personnel.
1968, was the birth of a Lutheran thrift shop - originally set up to support a
Halfway house for ex-convicts. Over the years it evolved into what is now
Martin's Mart Thrift Shop, contributing its proceeds to many community
agencies. In 1969, a Shepherd program was started. Since our members were
spread throughout the city, it was felt that neighboring groups would bring us
closer together...it did just that. It should be noted that this year we
designated 17% off the top of the offerings for benevolence. In 1970, as our
congregation was growing, we shared the services of Pastor John Martinson with
Calvary Lutheran. After six months Reformation took over the entire cost of
Pastor John. A RAMAD group (the acronym standing for Reformation, Arts, Music,
And Drama) was started in 1971. The talents of this group lifted up the life
of our congregation with music, skits, entertainment, and drama for: many
shows, celebrations, and worship services. Pastor Martinson left us in June,
1972, and Pastor Ferdinand Fritz Meyers was called as an assistant pastor. It
may be noted that the Arrowhead house was used as a parsonage for Pastors,
John and Fritz. 1973, saw our largest member ship count with 778 baptized and
458 confirmed. Our largest average attendance was this year, also, with 238
worshipping each week. In December, Pastor Meyers left to accept another call.
For several months in 1975, Pastor Carl Eveland was contracted from the Synod
to study our evangelism, to hold cottage meetings with members, and to make
recommendations to the congregation. A highlight of this year was the
opportunity for our congregation to sponsor the resettling of a Vietnamese
family. The members worked hard on this, and we were richly rewarded. The
Arrowhead property was sold in 1976, for $22,500. This was placed in savings.
Records indicate that 435 people worshipped with us on Easter Sunday that
year. Vicar Diana Vidlak from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary came in
November of 1977. The estimated cost of this internship $9000 came from the
Arrowhead monies. Throughout this decade the minutes and annual reports are
overflowing with programs and groups that some members may still remember.
Some of these were: Holy Notes, Young at Heart, Each One Teach One, Prayer
Circle, Lutheran Church Women (3 circles), Luther League, Boy Scouts, LINCS,
Christian Cavaliers (men's group), Marriage Encounter, Stephan Ministry, and
on and on. Mother-daughter banquets, father-son banquets, Gemuthlichreit, and
Octoberblest celebrations were held. It was a very vital decade.
We are God's House of living stones, Built for his
own habitation; He fills our hearts, his humble thrones, Granting us life and
salvation. Were two or three to seek his face, He in their midst would show
his grace, Blessing upon them be stowing.
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