[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH GAYLORD, MI

                                 ______


                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 1996

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to announce the 50th 
anniversary of organization of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Gaylord, 
MI. Lutheran services have been held in Gaylord and the vicinity since 
July 16, 1933. Pastors from neighboring towns such as Boyne City and 
Cheboygen led the congregation until 1946 when Rev. Elmer Scheck 
settled in Gaylord and became a permanent pastor for the church.
  On March 3, 1946, the congregation adopted a formal constitution 
affiliating their membership with the Confessional Lutheran Church-
Missouri Synod. Along with the formal constitution came the need for a 
permanent building. The white log church, as it came to be known, was 
erected in 1947-1948 for $10,000 plus donated labor. The congregation 
eventually outgrew the white log church and a new building was 
constructed in 1973-1974. In 1994 an addition was built to house the 
Sunday school classrooms and the congregation remains in the renovated 
building today.
  In 1979, Trinity Lutheran Church began a preschool. Although most of 
the students are not from the congregation the school promotes a 
positive Christian emphasis and atmosphere for its students and their 
families.
  Over the past fifty years many pastors have served the Trinity 
Lutheran Church of Gaylord. In 1994, the congregation built a new 
addition and named it after the Rev. Richard T. Noffze who was an 
interim pastor throughout the years at Trinity Lutheran. The current 
pastor is Rev. James F. Haenftling.
  From each member of this congregation, past and present, to each 
pastor, from Reverend Noffze to Reverend Haenftling, the one thought 
that has prevailed as the Trinity Lutheran Church grew is found in 
Romans 12:5: ``So in Christ, we who are many, form one Body.''
  The many citizens of the Gaylord community have provided 50 years of 
spiritual guidance and community fellowship to form one body, the 
Trinity Lutheran Church. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the 
Trinity Lutheran Church on this, their golden anniversary.

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