In Memoriam--David George Truemper

Today--October 30--I remember a good friend--David Truemper--whose untimely death occurred five years ago.

David and I met as freshmen in high school at Concordia College-Milwaukee in September 1953. For 51 years,our lives would intertwine and intersect. We considered each other's parents our own. For 30+ years, we had a"standing date" for the Institute of Liturgical Studies at Valparaiso University, which, for 20 of those years, Dave served as Director.

Dave was a theologian. He was a Doctor of the Church. Though his own church body rarely recognized the great gift God had given them in David, theologians world-wide recognized Dave's scholarship, particularly his insights into the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Today I give thanks to God for God's gift of David to the Church and for David's relentless pursuit of "telling the story" of the Gospel.

But, even more than that, I thank God for God's gift of David to me--as a dear friend, a colleague, a confidant.

"Rest eternal continue to grant to David, O Lord,

and let light perpetual shine upon him."

Anticipation

This has been a week of anticipation for me. Months of planning for the 50th reunion of my junior college class is about to come to fruition this Saturday and Sunday as we gather in Oconomowoc WI.

Concordia Milwaukee's Class of 1959 numbered 62. Ten members of the Class of 1959 have died. We were not able to locate two others. Of the remaining 50, 28 will gather to remember and reminisce and give thanks for all these years of friendship that began on the campus of Concordia High School and College in Milwaukee.

Saturday, June 27, will also mark the 44th anniversary of my ordination to the Office of the Public Ministry of the Church.

This will be a great weekend of remembering and gratitude.

Semana Santa [Holy Week] in Antigua Guatemala

This was the first of almost daily processions that Margaret and I saw as we observed Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Antigua Guatemala.

Each of the many Roman Catholic churches in Antigua has a "float" (anda is the Spanish word for it) that can be almost two car lengths long, can weigh up to 3 tons, and is carried in procession by anywhere from 80 to 100 men. Those who carry the anda change every block.

Each anda has the figure of the suffering Christ on it. Each procession will have its own "band" that will follow the anda and will play funeral dirge music. There's lots of incense (the boys and young men try to outdo each other in how much smoke they can create!).

The anda with the suffering Christ on it will be followed by another (smaller) anda that will have the figure of the weeping Mary and will be carried by young women.

The processions are marks of devotion on the part of those who participate, but they are also a marks of "penitence."

The procession from La Merced church on Good Friday leaves the church at 4 am and does not return until 2 pm--10 hours later.


The procession in this video came past the home where we were staying about 3:00 in the afternoon of Palm Sunday. It was one of 4 or 5 that came past our home that week--one of them as late as 1:30 on Easter morning!

The Final Sunday

It was with a mixture of sadness, and hope for the future, that 20+ members of Immanuel gathered for their final worship service on December 28, 2008. As the year 2009 begins, the "diaspora" of Immanuel's members will have begun.

Based on the Gospel for the day (St Luke 2:25-40), Pr Burke concluded his homily by saying, "And now it is time to bid farewell to the ministry that you have so faithfully carried out at this place. It's time for us to join Simeon and Anna in saying, 'Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word.' I'm ready, Lord, for whatever may come. You've shown even me how much my life is in your hands. So, what can disturb me now? Life is good, but the best is yet to come!"

At the conclusion of the service, plaques, recognizing continued service to Immanuel over the years, were presented to LC Cook (head elder); Kelley Schau (organist); Lester Busse (usher and "jack of all trades"); the Viveros siblings (Nicholas, Rebecca, Cynthia, Melinda and Sarah) for their service as acolytes; Dana Aseves; Art Arellano (president of the congregation); and Pr Burke for his 5 1/2 years of providing Word and Sacrament ministry.

Then, members were invited to come to the Christmass treee and remove an ornament of two to take home, as a reminder of their participation in this last service.

Final Sunday for Immanuel

Sunday, December 28, will mark the final Sunday of worship for the members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in South Chicago. Effective January 1, 2009, Immanuel will cease to exist as a congregation, and the Northern Illinois District of the LCMS will take title to the property.

Remaining members of Immanuel have been planning for this end-of-the-year closing and have been choosing new communities of faith where they will transfer their membership.

As we gather for our last service around Word and Sacrament, we give thanks to God for God's blessing during the 135+ year ministry of Immanuel, as well as for the faithful pastors, teachers and lay persons who were God's instruments in Gospel ministry in South Chicago all these years.

Resident pastors who served Immanuel during her 135 year history include:

H P Duborg - 1873 - 1879
C Eissfeldt - 1879 - 1896
Ferdinand Sievers - 1896 - February 7, 1918
W C A Martens - November 1918 - 1947
Walter Greve - 1947 - June 18, 1951
H W C Luedke - November 7, 1951 - 1971
F Robert Modr - July 1972 - January 1975
James Foley - June 1975 - September 1992

Non-resident pastors who served Immanuel
for extended periods of time since 1992:

Andrew Wiesner
Matthew Becker
Stephen Knapp
Robert F Burke

Additional Photos from November 2 Celebration

Here are additional candid pictures of Immanuel's celebration of ministry on November 2.

Greetings from Pr Matt Becker

Dear saints in Christ Jesus at Immanuel:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

I was pleased to have served you as your vacancy pastor during the early 1990s. I was then also a fulltime student at the University of Chicago and a part-time assistant pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran in Dundee, Ill. Those were busy days, but good ones, full of many blessings. Not only did your kind remuneration help to put food on my table but, more importantly, your sharing in the gospel and your faithful service in rather uncertain times were a great inspiration to me. That remains the case today.

My wife, Detra, and I will always remember with great fondness how you rented a bus so that you could attend our wedding in Dundee. Your participation in that event truly made the whole day more joyful and memorable for us. I still laugh when I think of how I told you a few months later that Detra was sick that Sunday morning and could not join us for worship. Almost immediately several of you started giggling and whispering among yourselves, "She must be suffering from morning sickness ... " While your suspicion that day turned out to be incorrect, since the Lord did not bless us with a child until a few years later, that occasion was a clear example to me of how you all enjoy a good laugh from time to time! (BTW, our son, Jacob, is now 9 years old.)

I am also grateful for the work of ministry that friends Andrew Wiesner, Steve Knapp, and Bob Burke have provided you through the years. These pastors are great blessings to the Lord's church. I know that today you join me in expressing a heartfelt "thanks" to them, these good and faithful servants!

And now what of your future? We are, each one of us, like the thief on the cross. Every day we can only exclaim, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Thankfully, that future kingdom is greater than any earthly building or piece of turf. That divine and certain future is inclusive of all the saints who have gone before us and who will come after us. The Lord knows and remembers his own. He does not forget anyone who calls on his name. Indeed, the only things the Lord promises to forget are our sins! Thus, I am confident that the one who has begun a good work in you on the south side of Chicago will bring it to completion on the day of the Lord Jesus Christ. We all share in his grace through our holy baptism. Despite our physical separation from one another, he keeps us united in his body, the church, and through his holy communion he nourishes and feeds us with that which will last for all eternity. No matter what the immediate, earthly future might bring each of you, the Lord promises to guide you and keep you forever.

Detra and I wish we could be with you today, to help you remember and celebrate Immanuel's past and also to offer a word of encouragement and hope. Alas, we must stay here in Germany. Nevertheless, please know that you will remain in our prayers. We are praying that your love may overflow more and more for one another and that the Holy Spirit will guide you in the weeks to come. The grace of Christ be with you!

In his name,

Matt Becker


Matt, Detra & Jacob Becker
Munich, Spring 2008


Matt Becker,
with bust of Martin Luther
Erfurt, Germany | Fall 2007

Immanuel Celebrates

Sunday, November 2, marked the day for Immanuel Lutheran Church of South Chicago to celebrate her 135 year ministry, to give thanks and praise to God for God's steadfast love during those years, and to prepare to close her ministry at the end of 2008.
The Rev Dan Gilbert, Bishop of the Northern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, preached the sermon and pronounced the benediction. Former resident pastor, James Foley, was assisting minister. Prs Don Gourlay and Stephen Knapp also participated in the service. Robert Burke, who has provided Word and Sacrament ministry for the past 5+ years,
presided at the Eucharist.

Pr Bob Burke, Pr Don Gourlay, Bsp Dan Gilbert, Pr Steve Knapp

About 80 people were present for this service, most of whom stayed for a luncheon that was provided for all who came, including long-time members Herman & Lille Eicke and Ruth Harsany, below.

As an act of gratitude to God, Immanuel presented checks of $6000 each to representatives of Walcamp and Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois, to assist in programs of those two institutions.



Among those responsible for arranging for the luncheon were Chris Arellano and her mother June Aseves, below.

Immanuel Celebrates 135+ Year Ministry

On All Saints' Sunday, November 2, 2008, Immanuel Lutheran Church of South Chicago (90th and Houston) will give praise and thanks to God for God's steadfast love during the 135+ years of her ministry in South Chicago. Former members and friends of Immanuel have been invited to come and join in worship that day.

Guest preacher for this special service will be the Rev Dan Gilbert, Bishop of the Northern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Pr Jim Foley, last resident pastor of Immanuel, together with Pr Stephen Knapp and Pr Don Gourlay will share in leadership of worship that day. Pr Robert Burke, who has provided Immanuel with Word and Sacrament ministry on a regular basis since May 2003, will preside at the Eucharist.

A catered luncheon will follow the service.

By the end of this year, Immanuel will conclude her ministry in South Chicago.

Welcome to the Schau Family

Immanuel Lutheran Church welcomed Matt & Kelley Schau, together with their daughter Emily into membership with the congregation during worship service on Sunday, July 15.
The Schaus transferred their membership to Immanuel from Saint John Lutheran in Forest Park.

The Schau family is not a stranger to the congregation.

Kelley grew up at Immanuel during the time that her father, the Rev Jim Foley, was pastor here.

Since about 2002, Kelley has been Immanuel's regular organist for worship on Sunday.

Matt is on the Faculty at North Park College on Chicago's North Side. His field is molecular biology.

Emily, now three, is eagerly anticipating the arrival of a sibling during the first week of August.

Immanuel is glad to have the Schau Family as a permanent part of our community of faith.

Welcome aboard!

Farewell and Godspeed to Art Sample

Once again, Immanuel members bid farewell and Godspeed to a long-time member. This time, it's to Art Sample, who is leaving Chicago to move to the Detroit area to be closer to his children there.

Art has been a member at Immanuel for more than twenty-five years. During that time, Art served as chair and vice-chair of Immanuel.

During the 3½ years that I've served Immanuel with Word and Sacrament ministry, Art has served as an usher/greeter, handing out worship folders, passing the offering plate, and distributing the cup at the Holy Eucharist.

Art's last "official" Sunday at Immanuel just happened to be the last Sunday of the current church year, Christ the King, November 26.

The Ladies Aid of Immanuel hosted a farewell pot-luck luncheon for Art on Sunday, November 19, at which time members shared fond memories of Art's time at Immanuel. They also presented him with several "going away" gifts. And, we took one last picture of Art, surrounded by church council members with whom he served.

Left to Right: Karen Viveros, Icora Miller, Art Sample, LC Cook, Art Arellano, Chris Arellano

I'm a Grandpa again

My grandson, James George Andrews, was born on July 27. He weighed 9# 5 oz. His "big sister" is Sophia.

A Weekend in Minneapolis

Recently, we spent a weekend in Minneapolis with our daughter.
We spent some time at the newly-opened Minneapolis Public Library.
Above is a picture of the main entrance of the Library. (Click on picture for a larger view.)


Here's a view from just inside the main lobby.
















Finally, here's a view of the Mississippi River from the "bridge" of the Guthrie Theatre.

English District Recognition

At the English District Convention Banquet on June23, Bishop David Ritt recognized a variety of people who had served the district in various capacities during his nine-year administration.
I was recognized for having served as Chair of the Public Relations committee during those nine years.

Farewell and Godspeed to Delores Williams

Delores Williams has been a member of Immanuel for at least 30 years.

She has served as Treasurer of the congregation for many years.

Today, July 2, we bade Delores Farewell and Godspeed. Later this week, she will move to Texas.

Immanuel Lutheran Church - South Chicago

Founded in 1873, Immanuel Lutheran Church in South Chicago (in the shadow of the Skyway Bridge) has been without residential pastoral care for 15 years. I am privileged to provide Word and Sacrament ministry to this "little band" of God's people on Sunday mornings.

First Post

This is a blog where I will post some of my activities as a Retired Parson