[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 120 (Tuesday, August 10, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HONORING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN 
                               MANISTIQUE

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                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 10, 2010

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Zion Evangelical Lutheran 
Church of Manistique on the church's 125th anniversary. Members of the 
congregation selected the following passage as their theme for this 
historic anniversary, ``We have no mission but to serve in full 
obedience to our Lord; to care for all, without reserve, and spread his 
liberating word.'' It is a mission this congregation has been carrying 
out successfully for 125 years.
  Zion Lutheran was founded on August 15, 1885 by missionary pastor 
J.J. Maakestad. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Michigan's 
Upper Peninsula, the church's founding coincided with the decision in 
1885 by the lumber community of Epsport to officially change its name 
to Manistique. Originally called the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran 
Church, 19 Swedish families totaling 65 individuals comprised Zion 
Lutheran's original congregation. By 1906 the congregation had already 
outgrown the original church built by J.J. Maakestad, and that year the 
present church was constructed at a cost of $10,143.
  Services at Zion Lutheran continued to be held in Swedish until 1947. 
Over the last century and a quarter, 20 pastors have served Zion 
Lutheran and the congregation elected its first women to the Church 
Council in 1974. The first lay person to serve as president of the 
Church Council was elected in 1979.
  Members of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church reach out to those in 
need with open arms and a strong sense of community. The congregation 
sponsors Boy Scout Troop #400 and Cub Scout Troop #402 and it has been 
involved with local Habitat for Humanity efforts. Zion Lutheran is also 
active in Lutheran World Relief and its members make an average of 250 
quilts a year to be distributed to hospitals, orphanages and the sites 
of natural disasters to help those in need. In February 2002, the 
church began the ``Sharing Prayers Ministry'' program, which provides a 
homemade lap robe, or prayer shawl, to church members who are going 
through a stressful or difficult period in their life.
  As a member of the Great Lakes Synod, Zion Lutheran has formed a 
cultural and spiritual fellowship with its sister congregation, 
Magomeni Lutheran Church in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This includes an 
exchange of letters from Sunday schools classrooms, luncheons featuring 
foods from Tanzania, and this past fall two members of Zion Lutheran 
travelled to visit Magomeni Lutheran Church, bringing the Upper 
Peninsula to Tanzania.
  Madam Speaker, the spirit and principles that are intrinsic to the 
Upper Peninsula can be found throughout the history of this church and 
the actions of its congregation. Over the past 125 years, Zion 
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Manistique has shared the joy of the 
Lord with the community of Manistique and with open arms has reached 
out to those in need. For these many blessings, Madam Speaker I ask 
that you, and the entire U.S. House of Representatives, join me in 
recognizing Pastor Dave Hueter and the members of the Zion Evangelical 
Lutheran Church of Manistique on its 125th anniversary.

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