Wednesday, October 16, 2002
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Wednesday, October 16, 2002 |
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Christ Our Hope Lutheran will celebrate 25 years October 20 Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church in Riverdale will have its 25th anniversary celebration this Sunday with a worship service at 10:30 a.m., lunch at noon, and a special program beginning at 1:30 p.m. The church began in 1976, when Pastor Jeffrey M. Halenza was commissioned by the Lutheran Church in America to serve as a mission developer and to gather a congregation to serve the Clayton-Fayette-South Fulton area. Following four months of door-to-door visits, an interest meeting was held Jan. 16, 1977, with 54 people in attendance. Halenza relates his memories of the first few months and the people he visited: "A Baptist minister's son who had not been in church in 14 years; a Lutheran couple who was worshipping with a Methodist congregation because there was no Lutheran church in the area; Presbyterians and Catholics and Methodists seeking a church home; a Moslem thinking about converting to Christianity; lifelong Lutherans excited about the prospect of forming a new congregation; people who believed with all their heart; people who weren't quite sure they believed anymore; people seeking hope ... this is the story of Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church." On Feb. 13, 1977, the first worship service was held at Community Christian Church and 127 people gathered. The congregation grew to the point where it was able to officially organize on Oct. 23, 1977, with 178 baptized members. For the next three years, the congregation met at Community Christian for worship and Sunday school. The need for a building soon became apparent and on May 18, 1980, the first unit was dedicated. "This new home enabled the congregation to establish strong programs, particularly in the area of education and youth," Halenza said, "Also, it was a period in which the congregation began to take seriously its commitment to serve the community and became involved in the Redeemer Soup Kitchen and Mental Health programs." Rapid growth in membership brought about the need for additional space and on Nov. 4, 1984, an educational-fellowship wing and a remodeled first unit were dedicated. Hardly before the paint was dry, merger discussions with the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd were initiated. The merger occurred on June 2, 1985, and added more than 170 baptized members to the congregation. In addition, Pastor Carl Berkobin of the Good Shepherd, became the co-pastor. Education and youth ministries were strengthened and new programs were developed to serve all age groups. Commitment to the community was increased with involvement in more community programs. A second wing was added. The 1990s brought about some painful years of transition and membership slowly declined. The areas of growth were far south of the congregation and the community became more racially diverse. But the congregation dedicated itself to fulfilling its original purpose of being a diverse congregation that welcomed all people and reflected the community it served. As the new century dawned, the church paid off its mortgage and became debt-free. "After 25 years, Christ Our Hope is seeing the original vision become a reality," Halenza said. "We are a multiracial, multinational congregation that welcomes all and seeks to serve all; a congregation that seeks to be Christ and bring Christ to others. At the heart of the story of growth and serving has been the caring of people for one another. In the midst of the great joys and the terrible tragedies and the deep confusion, people have been there for one another and God's love has been experienced in a very real way." Halenza says the church's story has been an exciting one of growth in the congregation and commitment to the community. "It's a story of people of all colors and all backgrounds coming together in great hope. And, through the faith and dedication of its members, Christ Our Hope will continue to be a story of the wonder of what God can do in and through a congregation." Christ our Hope is at 2165 Ga. Hwy. 138, SW, near the Clayton-Fayette County line. For information about the church or the special day's activities, call 770-997-7117. |
