"GOLDEN... and beyond" - Hope Lutheran's Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration.

 
Why is this woman laughing?
  
   
   
   
 
Could it be that she's giddy with joy over our celebration of Hope's Fiftieth Anniversary? Yes, folks, 2002 marked the fiftieth anniversary of Hope Lutheran Church. Our anniversary weekend held on September 7 & 8 was a big success. We also held a re-enactment of Hope's very first worship service, on Sunday, July 21, 2002, using the same Scripture readings and order of worship that were used in very first service on July 20, 1952. We are presently moving into our "and beyond" phase of "Golden and Beyond" with a program of spiritual renewal concentrating on four areas: prayer, study, worship, & celebration. We will continue to display some pictures as well as a list of key events from Hope's past.

For more information, call us at (708) 748-1995 or e-mail us at hope@lincolnnet.net.
  
 
 
 
Special Anniversary Dates in Hope's History
  
   
 
  • January 17, 1999: Pastor Michael Heggen (fourth from left) installed as Pastor of Hope Lutheran.
  
     
   
     
 
  • January 31, 1960: The first school building (now Multipurpose Building "B") was dedicated.
  
     
 
  • March 5, 1967: The second school building (now Multipurpose Building "A") was dedicated.
  
     
 
  • April 4, 1955: Hope celebrated the confirmation of its first four students.
  
     
 
  • April 5, 1953: Worship services were moved from Lakewood School to Sauk Trail School.
  
     
 
  • May 9, 1952: Reverend Luther W. Bekemeier accepted the call as Mission Developer in Park Forest.
  
     
 
  • May 21, 1967: the cornerstone for the "new" church (present sanctuary) was laid.
  
     
 
  • June 3, 1962: the first eighth grade graduation (with eight students) was held.
  
     
 
  • June 9, 1985: the Reverend John Welge was installed as Associate Pastor.
  
     
 
  • June 10, 1955: the first kindergarten class "graduated" at Hope School.
  
     
 
  • June 15, 1953: the first Vacation Bible School was held.
  
     
 
  • June 21, 1953: the first congregational and Sunday School picnic was held.
  
     
 
  • June 27, 1965: the Reverend R.H. Bekemeier was installed as Assistant Pastor.
  
     
 
  • June 27, 1971: Terrence Baeder, the first member of Hope to graduate from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, was ordained at Hope.
  
     
 
  • July 20, 1952: Hope Lutheran's first worship service was held.
  
     
 
  • July 29, 1952: Hope Lutheran's first voters' meeting was held.
  
     
 
  • August 3, 1952: the first Sunday School classes were held with twenty children in four classes.
  
     
 
  • August 7, 1977: the Reverend David L. Wacker was installed as Pastor.
  
     
 
  • August 12, 1952: our first constitution was adopted and the name, "Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church" was chosen.
  
     
 
  • August 21, 2000: "Roots and Wings" Before and After School Enrichment Program opened its doors.
  
     
 
  • August 24, 1952: Hope held its first communion service.
  
     
 
  • August 28, 1998: "Little Angels" Early Learning Center opened its doors.
  
     
     
 
  • September 3, 1952: Hope started its first adult instruction class (Religious Information Class).
  
     
     
 
  • September 7, 1980: The Reverend Robert Erickson was installed as Pastor.
  
     
 
  • September 8, 1959: Hope's parochial school opened with 47 students in Kindergarten and 44 in Grades 1 through 4.
  
     
 
  • September 13, 1954: Hope's first Kindergarten class opened with 18 students.
  
     
 
  • October 7, 1967: Hope's current sanctuary was dedicated.
  
     
 
  • October 24, 1980: Hope's first house of worship (now Bethel Chapel and the office area) was dedicated.
  
     
 
  • December 14, 1952: Hope's first congregational Christmas party was held at St. Paul's School Hall in Chicago Heights.
  
     
 
  • December 24, 1952: Hope's first Children's Christmas Service was held at Lakewood School. The bulletin for the preceding Sunday invited the congregation to participate as the children presented "the Christmas message in pageant and song".
  
     
 
 
 
Who ARE These Kids?
  
   
 
These are photos taken from the 1967 copy of Remembrances, the yearbook for Hope Lutheran Elementary School.
  
     
     
 
Allan Erdmann, now an usher & father of Stephane Erdmann.
  
Bill Erdmann, now Director of the Discipleship Commission, Choir Member, Stephen Minister, & church webmaster.
  
     
   
     
 
Laurie Riggert (I originally thought that this was Lauren Thiesen but I was wrong. Does anyone know the whereabouts of Laurie Riggert?).
 
Thomas Ziegler, present member of Hope and husband of Jo Rodenburg Ziegler.
 
   
   
 
Hope Lutheran School's "A" Basketball Team, coached by then-principal, Dr. James Kirchoff (back when he was Mr. Kirchoff). The team practiced in the gymnasiums of Westwood Elementary & Talala Elementary Schools.
 
   
   
 
I can't remember who won this "home" game (played in the gym of Talala Elementary).
 
 
 
 
A Children's Celebration
  
   
 
These are copies of some Polaroids found in the church library. I'm not sure what this event is or when it occurred, but from the looks of it, it took place in the late seventies or early eighties.
  
     
   
 
If anyone knows who any of these people are, you can e-mail us at hope@lincolnnet.net.
 
     
   
   
 
(Left to right) Former member, Jill (formerly) Hake with current member, Eva Bolden.
 
   
   
 
Left to right: Former member, Cindy Szymanski shakes hands with current member (and church board member), Reta Schaap.
 
   
   
 
A youngster tries her skill at the dart toss.
 
 
Church Picnic, Summer of 1984
  
   
 
Here are three photos from the church picnic held in the summer of 1984. They were taken by a late member, Dorothy Hirsch. See if you can pick out some past and/or present members.
 
   
   
 
I believe that the second & third persons from the left are Chris Rechsteiner (formerly Teichman) and former pastor, Bob Erickson.
  
   
   
 
The Egg Toss - former pastor, Bob Erickson, is on the far left.
  
   
   
 
The Water Balloon Toss - on the far left is former longtime member, Art Dutton, and current member, Karol Johnson.
  
     
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