[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 95 (Thursday, July 16, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H5638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SESQUICENTENNIAL OF HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH IN COLLINSVILLE, IL

  (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to announce that my home 
church, Holy Cross Lutheran, in Collinsville, Illinois, is celebrating 
its sesquicentennial, 150 years of laboring for the Lord. Our theme for 
the celebration is Celebrate, Reflect, Focus.
  Holy Cross Lutheran will celebrate this month with a reunion of 
former church workers, along with sons and daughters of the 
congregation who have moved on to be pastors and teachers, of which I 
am one. We will also celebrate the Church's German heritage, using 
translations of the original services and a sermon preached in 1873.
  In addition, Holy Cross will reflect upon its history. The church and 
Christian day school were founded in 1848 after Pastor Frederick 
Lockner began meeting with German Lutherans in Collinsville, Illinois.
  Our focus will be on God, thanking Him for all the blessings He has 
given our Church and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
  I extend my deepest congratulations to Holy Cross Lutheran Church as 
they Celebrate, Reflect and Focus on 150 years of hard work and rich 
blessings.

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