[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 154 (Thursday, November 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       PASTOR ALBERT W. BAHR: FIFTY YEARS OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2001

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pastor Albert W. Bahr 
upon the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his ordination in the 
Lutheran ministry and his many years of faithful service to the Lord as 
spiritual leader to Christian followers in New York, Missouri, 
Wisconsin, and Michigan, including the past 10 years as administrative 
pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing, MI. Pastor Bahr also 
served at St. John Lutheran Church in Port Hope, MI.
  Those who know Pastor Bahr say his introduction to the Lord's grace 
and good works began at his mother's knee soon after his birth in 
Seaford, Long Island, NY on June 2, 1924. His formal religious training 
culminated with his ordination on November 11, 1951, at St. Martini's 
Church in Milwaukee, WI. Since then, Pastor Bahr has dedicated his life 
to directing people of all ages and backgrounds to our Savior. Pastor 
Bahr has positively enriched many lives beyond measure and his 
influence will be felt for generations to come.
  It has been Pastor Bahr's mission to serve in a multitude of 
capacities at the Congregational, Circuit, District and Synodical 
levels of the Lutheran Church. His spiritual devotion has also called 
him to spread the word of God through Christian example in community 
activities outside the parameters of his ministry. During his 50 years 
of service, Pastor Bahr has achieved many successes and played a 
pivotal role in myriad projects, including leading efforts to build two 
magnificent churches. Pastor Bahr's faithfulness and dedication in 
sharing with others the good news of God's love in Christ has made him 
a beacon of hope and grace to the congregations to which he has 
ministered and to the larger communities where he has lived and 
preached.
  Pastor Bahr would be the first to acknowledge that the love and 
support of his wife, Loide, has been an integral element in his 
success. Others know that the guiding hand of parental examples clearly 
led their six sons, Paul, John, Joel, Seth, Mark, and David, and their 
daughter, Mary, to active roles in the church. Six of the Bahr children 
are engaged full-time in church service and one is an active lay 
leader.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in praising 
Pastor Bahr for all he has done to meet the spiritual needs of his 
flock and in wishing him continued strength and good fortune in 
spreading God's word for years to come.

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