The Story of Grace Lutheran Church 7 the Story of Grace Lutheran School 23
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The History of Grace A Church Blessed for 75 Years With the Wonderful Acts of Our Gracious God Charter members of Grace Lutheran Church, back row Ruth and Bill Petzold, front Ted and Esther Rott. on March 11, 1973 nearly 40 years after they and six others signed the constitution June 14, 1933. Published by Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church and School Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 4 Preface This book is the story of God at work, spreading His love and grace in the community of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. It is a story that is told by the way His faithful people have responded to the love they have learned to know through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While it is a story that was acted out by faithful Christians, it is a story about the acts of a gracious, loving God. In this book you will find the personal stories and reflections of three Senior Pastors who were prepared and called by God to inspire and lead His flock at Grace Lutheran Church. Each was uniquely equipped by God to carry out His mission during the years he served. Each faced special challenges, and often each turned to God for the strength needed to carry on with His work. Grace Church started with a gathering of 17 families with 25 adults and six children in September 1932. Since then it has grown to over 2,300 members where weekly services often exceed 1,000 worshipers. This book documents the trials and challenges this congregation has faced, and the difficult decisions that were required to provide needed facilities and staff for a growing church and school. The growth of Grace is the result of much hard work by pastors, teachers and church staff as well as the many volunteers who served as elders, trustees, Sunday school teachers, members of circles, boards and committees. But above all, this book is about what Pastor Fahl states so well in the opening chapter of his reminiscences. This book is about “the wonderful acts of our gracious God,” during 75 years in the history of Grace Lutheran Church. This book does not have an ending. From this first 75 years in the history of Grace Lutheran Church we have learned that God has a purpose and a plan for this congregation in this place and this time. Only He knows what the future holds, but with faith in Jesus Christ we pray that He will guide us to see His purposes and plans clearly so we can carry on with His work for the next 75 years and beyond. 5 Contents Section I: Highlights of Grace Church History 7 The Story of Grace Lutheran Church 7 The Story of Grace Lutheran School 23 Section II: The Times and Memories of the Rev. E. P. Fahl 27 Reminiscences of Pastor Fahl, page 28 The Early Years, page 29 Starting Ministry in Time of War, page 30 A Period of Growth, page 32 Mountain Peak Experiences, page 33 Dedicating the New Church, page 34 The Final Years, page 35 The leadership of the Rev E.P. Fahl, page 39 Stressing Christian Education, page 40 Planning and Building the New Church, page 42 The Challenge to Reach Out, page 43 Building and Starting a School, page 44 Managing a Growing Church, page 45 Time for a “Wake Up” Call, page 46 The Decision to Remain at Grace, page 48 Preparing for Retirement, page 49 A Tribute to a Strong Leader, page 50 Words of Encouragement for Grace Church, page 53 The Retirement Sermon of the Rev. E.P. Fahl Section III: The Times and Memories of the Rev. Dr, Paul Dietz 5 Born and Raised into Ministry, page 58 The Call Back to Concordia, page 62 6 The Call to Grace, page 65 Changing the Constitution, page 69 Remembering the Seasons, Advent, Christmas, page 75 Epiphany, Preparing for Lent, page 79 The Meaning of Lent, page 82 Holy Week and Easter, page 86 Ascension Day and Pentecost, page 91 Remembering Summers, 1978-82, page 95 Celebrating 50 Years of Grace in 1983, page 100 Final Years, Farewell Blessings, page 106 Section IV: The Times and Memories of the Rev. Warren Granke 111 From Boy to Man to Ministry, 1945-71, page 112 Beginning in Ministry, Moving to Grace, page 119 On My Own, 1989-91, page 125 Planning our Future, 1991-97, page 131 Making a New Start, 1997-2001, page 137 Looking Ahead to Growth and Change, page 141 Reaching out, Ministry, Manna, Missions, page 147 Caring,Praying, Making Contact, page 153 Teaching, Learning and Fellowship, page 158 Following His Lead, From 2004 Forward, page 163 Searching for Answers, Considering Options, page 167 The Story of the Rev. Dr. Roy Peterson, page 173 Section V: Vision for the Future of Grace Lutheran Church 177 Looking Back to See the Way Forward, page 177 Leading the Way Forward, page 179 Our Mission, Our Vision, page 185 7 Section I Highlights of Grace History ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Story of Grace Lutheran Church 1932-33 to 2007-08 The history of Grace Evangelical Lutheran writing these articles was to acquaint members of Church of Menomonee Falls dates back to 1932 Grace with the “ wonderful acts of our gracious when two sisters, Esther and Ruth Wilke, who grew God ” in the fifty-three years of Grace’s history. up on a farm just east of Pilgrim Road, married Today we can look back 75 years and see clearly Theophil Rott and William Petzold. The two that the “ Lord of the Church ” is still in control. He couples made their home in Menomonee Falls, but continues to perform His wonderful acts of grace at they were disappointed that there was no Lutheran Grace Lutheran Church church in the village where they could worship and Keep Pastor Fahl’s words in mind as you review hear the Word of God with other Lutherans. So they the Timeline of Key Events. You will find more took steps to solve their worship problem. They about the times and memories of Pastor Fahl in contacted the South Wisconsin District of The Section II of this book. Note that it was the Holy Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and convinced Spirit that planted the seeds of faith in the hearts of District officials to start a mission church in the founders. It was God who wanted Grace Menomonee Falls. Lutheran Church and School here where He could The story of the early history of Grace Lutheran carry out His wonderful acts of grace . Church is first a story of determined, young Imagine yourself being present at that first believers who wanted to worship in a Lutheran service on a Sunday morning in September, 1932. church. It also is a story that hints of hard times. As you walk up the steps to enter the “store front” Historic facts confirm that it was indeed a difficult ------------------------------------------------------------- time to start a new church. Average wages in “Welcome Wisconsin had dropped 60 percent from 1929 to 1932. There was also widespread unemployment. in Christ’s Name, The number of industrial jobs in Wisconsin fell by We Preach 37 percent and farm prices fell 57 percent. These hard times were a part of the reason why the Christ Crucified” founders of Grace wanted to have their own church ------------------------------------------------------------- in Menomonee Falls. Driving into Milwaukee to church you are greeted with the words “ Welcome in worship each week was difficult and expensive. Christ’s name.” You are going there to worship The Rev. E. P. Fahl, who served as Senior Pastor with a small group who proclaimed boldly that “ We of Grace for 36 years from 1941 to 1977, Preach Christ Crucified. ” documented much of this early history in a series of The place of worship that Sunday morning was a articles he wrote in 1986. Pastor Fahl points out that store-front building on the corner of Main and the story of Grace Lutheran Church is much more Water Street that later became the Heebie Jeebie than a story of human effort. He described the tavern. It’s now a vacant lot next to Mohrhusen history of Grace as times “ fraught with manifold Heating and Plumbing. As you enter, you see a trials and joys, ” but through it all it was “the Lord room just large enough for a couple dozen old of the Church who manifested Himself as the one theater seats, a small pump-style reed organ, and a who is in control. ” Pastor Fahl said his purpose for small white altar in the front. These furnishings had 8 been donated by the Mission Board to make the Timeline of Key Events inside look a little like a church. While the -------------------------------------------------------------- surroundings were meager, a grand, historic event was about to take place. Only 25 adults and six The 1930s children attended the service, but the Spirit of God ** 1932 Two families contact the Mission Board with was there to perform His wonderful acts of grace . concerns over the lack of a Lutheran Church in Menomonee Falls. While the Mission Board had provided a young pastor to conduct the service, it was God who had ** The board assigns Rev. Erich Keller to help organize called the Rev. John Pingel to be there and preach two new mission churches. God’s word to His flock. Fifty years later, Pastor Pingel remembered that day in a letter of ** July and August 1932 Pastor Keller completes the congratulations on the 50 th Anniversary of Grace preliminary work to start a mission church in church. His sermon text that day was Romans 1:16, Menomonee Falls.