Centennial History of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Part 4, 1973-1983

In September, 1973, the church purchased carpeting (not for under the benches) for $4,600.00. Memorials from Ladies Aid Rug Fund came to $1,800.00 and from the Congregation Memorial Fund was $2,800.00.

In January, 1973, our Pictorial Booklet was organized by Mr. Connor of Chicago, Illinois. He took pictures of the church organizations and individual pictures for our 90th Anniversary.

September 23, 1973, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated their 90th Anniversary of our church. Guest speaker was Reverend A. H. Laesch, Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

November, 1973, Reverend Roland Roehrs received a call to Luxemburg, Wisconsin. He served us 6 years. The Vacancy Pastor was Reverend R. Muehl.

In 1974, Reverend Everett Schleef from Aurora, Minnesota accepted the call to Granton.

The installation was April 28, 1974. Dr. Lloyd Goetz, President of the North Wisconsin District Lutheran Church performed the rite of installation and preached the sermon.

Reverend Muehl was in charge of the service. Pastors of the circuit participated.

Pastor Schleef, with the Church Council, appointed a Board of Education with the Elders to guide the group. Some of the responsibilities of the group were to review Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Catechism material, to promote interest in Bible classes for teachers and families of the church.

In 1976, a Young Adult Group was started which included the young people out of high school and other young people not active in Ladies Aid - L.W.M.L or Men's Club.

The Board of Education was also encouraged to start a Church Library. This was adopted as a project for the L.W.M.L in 1981.

Photograph: Library Committee: Beverly Helm, Catherine Sternitzky and Warren Beulke.
Notice the bookshelves that are a memorial to Robert Aeschbacher.

The bookshelves in the Narthex are a Memorial to Robert Aeschbacher. Books have been donated and others have been purchased.

Starting in 1983, each month, a special book is featured in our Newsletter and Sunday Bulletin. The library is open to all members.

It was during Pastor Schleef's time, the Youth Group joined the American Lutheran Church for meetings and fellowship. They named their group "L.Y.F." (Lutheran Youth Fellowship). The youth group flourished and grew.

Photograph: Instrumental Group - Lisa Helm, Marilyn Helm, Kelly Wenker.
Second row: Brenda Garbisch, Jay Bartsch, Sandra Helm, Alaine (Elmhorst) Gerl,
Missing are: Sandy Elmhorst, Lisa Schmidt, Donna Naedler, Joyce Naedler.

In 1975, under the direction of Fred Schram, a Brass Band Ensemble and a Wood Wind Instrumental Group was formed. They played for special occasions in church such as Christmas, Palm Sunday & Easter Sunday.

On June 5, 1976, a new piano was bought to be used in the church. It was dedicated as a memorial to Wilma (Mrs. Lee Garbisch), better known as "Billy". She was the organist of the church for many years, before her death on July 30, 1975.

In 1976, the young girls took part in being "Junior Ushers" of our church, with the boys, after their confirmation. Their duties included taking up the offerings and ushering after church services. On August 26, 1976, Reverend E. Schleef, accepted a call to Youngstown, Ohio, after serving us for 2 years. The Vacancy Pastor was Reverend R. Muehl, Kellner, Wisconsin.

In January, 1977, Armin & Lois Moh took the job of custodian for Zion Lutheran Church. Hugo and Minnie Trimberger resigned after being custodians for forty-three years.

In June, 1977, Reverend Horst Augustin from Maple, Wisconsin accepted the call to Granton.

Installation was held July 3, 1977. Reverend Henry Simon, President of Northern Wisconsin District, preached the sermon. Installation was assisted by the area pastors.

On October 5, 1977, the Ladies Aid celebrated their 60th Anniversary. Non-aid members of our congregation were asked to be our guests. The program opened with a hymn and a short sermonette by Reverend H. Augustine. A short program was put on by Lutheran Women Missionary League (L.W.M.L.).

Over the years, the Ladies Aid has helped the congregation with many special projects. Some of which include, Bibles for the 4th graders, gifts to the confirmands attending Camp Luther, donations to students going into church work, providing altar flowers on Christmas and Easter and other special occasions, the care of communion ware and helping with the upkeep of the parsonage and fellowship hall.

In outreach of the Ladies Aid they sponsor Pittsville Lutheran Hour, contributions to Bethesda Lutheran Home and the Price Missionary Family.

November 4, 1981, Reverend H. Augustine accepted a call to Windom, Minnesota. He served us 4 years. The Vacancy Pastor was Reverend M. Dake, of Stevens Point.

In May, 1982, Reverend Kevin L. Wenker, of Oak Lawn, Illinois accepted a call to Granton.

Installation was held June 13, 1982. Liturgist was Reverend E. Keller, Pittsville. The sermon was by Reverend M.L. Dake, Stevens Point and officiant by Reverend Henry Simon, Wausau.

In March, 1982, repair work began at the parsonage. New tile was put in the kitchen and bathroom floors, a fan in the bathroom and the west wall in the kitchen was repaneled.

Photograph: Summer of 1982, bell tower & chimney repaired and wrought iron railing and ramp was installed.
Notice cross on the church roof.

In 1982, the Church chimney and bell tower was repaired for $12,238.00. In 1982, on the west side of the church, a new sidewalk, ramp, iron rod railings were installed for $1,113.00.

Since Pastor Schleef's ministry here our congregation has had a part-time secretary. This past year the church office has been remodeled and a Panasonic copier has been purchased. The cost of the copier was $2,995.00. Lois Garbisch is our secretary.

In August, 1982, the 100th Anniversary Centennial Committee started work on the Celebration of our 100th Anniversary of our congregation, 1883 - 1983.

In October, 1982, a committee was formed to set up guidelines for a Zion Lutheran Vocational Scholarship started by the Schune Estate Fund to be used for scholarships for students going into full or part time church work. Another scholarship, which was previously formed, is available for students entering the ministry. The funds were made available by past and added to by present members of our congregation.

December 19, 1982, was the date of the Christmas Program, which was held earlier this year, (Sunday evening, December 19), with instrumental playing, children speaking and singing and the distribution of gifts.

Photograph: Holy Communion celebrated on December 19,1982, the last Sunday in Advent.

December 24, 1982 was the Christmas Eve "Candlelight Service" which was held at Zion at 8:00 p.m., with the singing of Christmas carols and instrumental playing of Christmas Hymns. Reverend K. Wenker's Christmas sermon, taken from Luke 2:7 was "Do You Have Room For Christ?". This was followed by the consecration and distribution of Holy Communion. Then each member was given a small candle. When all candles were lit, the members sang "Silent Night", closing with the Lord's Prayer and Benediction.

Photograph: Beverly and Heidi Helm, pianists for children's Christmas program, December 19,1982.

Photograph: Primary Grades, December 19, 1982, children's Christmas program.

Away In A Manger Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

Photograph: 6th grade recitation on December 19, 1982 Children's Christmas program.

Photograph: Children's Choir directed by Caroline Helm,
accompanied by Kelly Wenker and Alaine Elmhorst on flute.

Photograph: Altar with Christmas trees. Notice Chrismons on tree on right side.

Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing, Alleluia,
Christ, the Savior is born! Christ, the Savior is born!

Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

January 9, 1983, Installation of the congregation officers for 1983 were held. President- Donald Bartsch; Vice President - Robert Nick; Secretary - Roger Helm; Financial Secretary - Richard Schmidt; Treasurer - Dave Tyler. Trustees are: Gary Sternitzky, Vic Elmhorst, William Nickel. Elders are: Walter Helm, Merle Bartsch, Albert Hasz.

On February 27, 1983, the 8th graders were chosen to be the Acolyte (light the candles for the church service). The person wears a special white surplice for this duty, can be either boy or girl. The surplice symbolizes the robe of righteousness. Any other Junior Usher may also do this duty.

Photograph: Acolytes - Mark Schmidt, Mark Bletsoe, Kevin Free, Laura Stemitzky

One of the meaningful ideas that Pastor Augustin gave to us was that we take the Christmas tree that adorned our church and remove all of the branches. This leaves only the trunk. It is then shaped into a cross and placed in the chancel during the Lenten season. On Easter the cross is decorated with Easter lilies symbolizing new life. This reminds us that Christ gives us new life through his resurrection from the dead. This is our church today, Easter Sunday, April 3, 1983.

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