This is our 50th Anniversary
St Luke celebrated its 50th Anniversary in September by having a banquet and two special services (see descriptions and photos below). The slogan we chose for our anniversary was taken from Eph. 2:20 - "... built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself the chief cornerstone”
Banquet
On Saturday, September 17, 2011, a banquet was held at Faith Lutheran Church in Surrey, BC. The banquet was preceded by a meet-and-greet at which attendants were able to share time with friends and family and reminisce with former members. Ed Tyler MC'd the event. Matt Tressel organized the entertainment. Matt, Simon, Adele, Daniel, and Mark began the musical portion of the program. Patti, accompanied by Steve on piano, sang a composition specially composed for the 50th anniversary by Eric and Carol. The Tressel clan wrapped things up with some good ol' gospel music.
Sunday Services
Two special services were conducted Sunday, September 18.
Pastor Don Schiemann was our special guest at the morning service. He focused his sermon on God's faithfulness to us based on the text in 1 Corinthians 1. The choir selected two pieces that were aligned with the 50th Anniversary's slogan - Our Sure Foundation and Jesus is the Living Stone. Matt also performed a self composition during the offering entitled "My Cornerstone".
Following the first service, Counsellor Marvin Hunt presented St Luke with a certificate on behalf of the City of Surrey in honour of our 50th anniversary. He also read a letter addressed to the congregation from Mayor Diane Watts who, in part, thanked St Luke for its contributions to the community over the years and for the VBS children's letters that were sent to her following her accident.
Following the service, members of St Luke's Lutheran Women's Mission League provided a wonderful luncheon.
Pastor Garwood Rentz, the first pastor to serve St Luke back in 1961, was our special guest in the afternoon service. His sermon was based on Eph 2:11-22, further illuminating how Jesus is our cornerstone and the foundation of our faith. The choir and Matt sang again in the second service. Following the service, the LWML provided dessert and coffee.
Thanks
We want to give thanks to our Lord for being so gracious and benevolent to our congregation over the years.
We want to thank Gladys and her organizing committee members, Pastor Govaski and Rosalyn for planning the services, for Pastor for leading the services on Sunday, our special guests and visitors, particularly Pastor Schiemann, Pastor Rentz, and Councillor Marvin Hunt, those who set up the banquet hall, those at Faith Lutheran who provided their facilities, our trustees and their vounteers who worked hard to get our building and grounds in the best shape possible for the weekend celebrations, as well as adding the stage, new stained glass window and projector as legacies of the event, our council and staff who led and supported the event, and our choir and musicians who provided sounds pleasing to our Lord.
PHOTOS
Banquet
Photos courtesy of Ken Deichen
First Service - Message by Pastor Schiemann
Photos courtesy of S. Bowler Photography
Second Service - Message by Pastor Rentz
Photos courtesy of Jean Davies and Eric Weiss
A brief history of St Luke
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| Free collage personalized with Smilebox |
- Services began in Hjorth Road Community Hall. The hall was located at the current site of the RCMP offices on 104 Avenue and 148 Street
- Our first pastor was Rev. Garwood Rentz who led our congregation from 1960 to 1968
- St Luke organized and officially accepted by Lutheran Canada Missouri Synod in 1961
- We purchased property on 104 Avenue on Nov. 11, 1962. The occasion was marded with ground-breaking services
- Dedication services for the church were held in June 1963
- Rev. Wayne Stuhlmiller was installed as our second pastor in August 1969. He led our congregation until 1975
- Rev. Fred Gabert served as vacancy pastor from 1975-1976
- Rev. Ron Olsen served as our third pastor from August 1976 to September 1980
- Rev. Carl Hennig and several other pastors served St Luke until the arrival of Rev. Lawrence Koehler
- Rev. Lawrence Koehler was installed in August 1981 and led the congregation until his retirement in September 2006
- St Luke outgrew it's accommodations in the early 1980s. The property at 10177-148 Street, our current location, was purchased in 19xx and a new building was constructed
- The new church building was dedicated in June 1984
- Rev. Edivar Govaski and his family made the long journey from Brazil to Surrey to become pastor in 2006
- Our 50th anniversary celebrations will continue throughout 2011. However, we are planning a special banquet on September 17 and several special services on September 18