The local weather forecasters say it will be 91 degrees and will feel like over 100 degrees. Then this afternoon, there is the possibility of scattered storms, and some could be severe. I say stay indoors and read a book. Or watch tv. Or take a nap.
In good old central Illinois one never knows what the weather will be like. After today, the highs will be in the 80's, with a chance of rain each day through Friday. Abundent sunshine on Friday. The weather could be worse.
St. John's Church Conclusion
I've been posting the 50th anniversary history of the Greenview St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church. This was commonly called the "German" church. Many years ago this church combined with the Presbyterian Church to become the current Greenview United Church. This post contains the remaining information. The first part is the summary which was written on the 50th anniversary. The remaining contains some statistics and information on the church organizations. I have several readers who once were members of this church, thus the reason for posting this history....plus all Greenviewanites have been given the opportunity to know the complete history of our town.
CHURCH BOARD
Otto Weidhuner, John Wilken, Karl Deverman
John Miller, Henry Wohler, George Evers
An Introduction
To be an active participant in a great organization often brings us so close to the workings of that body that many points of interest are overshadowed by our own portion of the work. We must, therefore, from time to time, make an analysis of our position to determine the merit of our work. Custom has given us some convenient points at which it is proper for us to pause. If these points are far removed or cover a definite trend in conditions, we may call them eras. If they mark a point in a steady growth we call them anniversaries. This year, 1937, St. John's Church of Greenview is fifty years old and as we observe our Fiftieth Anniversary, we feel a desire to recall the life of our church.
What we of St. John's are today is largely the result of the foundation upon which our church was built, and the material used by successive generations as the structure of our faith was being increased. What we will be in the future will depend upon the faith and energy we possess today, for succeeding generations will build upon the foundation we are placing today.
What a variety of joys and sorrows you have related to me as I have gathered the history of St. John's Church. From this heritage of the past there came to me time and again the passage from the 122 Psalm, which I have chosen as the motto for our Golden Anniversary Year: "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the House of the Lord." In Spirit and in Truth there has been administered the Bread of Life of which Jesus Christ has been the author.
As we honor those who founded St. John's Church by saying that the Spiritual foundation was laid in the name of the Lord, so we become conscious of the challenge that has been placed before us.
Those who have gone before us have been faithful. From a small beginning of only a few families, St. John's has grown into a membership of 250 confirmed members and 75 unconfirmed members, with 140 families paying allegiance either wholly or in part to our church. Thus in numbers we have been faithful to the heritage bestowed upon us by our fathers.
Our dreams for the future of St. John's see a strong and active body of people working in the interest of Him who has been so many times our refuge and strength. Let us continue to grow, not only in numbers, but also in the depth of our spiritual like, for unto this were we called. The Master has admonished us: "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you." Let us rededicate ourselves to a greater loyalty, pray for courage and strength to do the work He has entrusted to St. John's. The Spirit of the Master has blessed us in the past and has given us the assurance, "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Let us be faithful.
A FEW STATISTICS
Baptisms - 402
Confirmands - 289
Weddings - 113
Funerals - 177
Communicants - 3,873; with the years 1903 to 1910 not recorded. By average - 4,611.
A FEW FIRST
FIRST BAPTISMS
Marie Behren, daughter of Wilhelm and Anna Behrens, by Rev. Ott. April 29, 1888.
Katherine Evers, daughter of Frederick and Anna Evers, by Rev. Hammer. August 5, 1888.
FIRST WEDDINGS
Wilhelm Siegel and Sophia Schmidt. Feb. 23, 1888. (Pastor not known).
Herman Boske and Anna Schafer, by Rev. Hammer. The first to be wedded in St. John's Church. Jan. 31, 1889.
FIRST CONFIRMATION CLASS
Karl Schmidt, Geske Luecken, Marie Luecken, Archie Saathoff, Anna Amerkamp, Lizzie Eckhoff, and Minnie Amerkamp. May 5, 1889.
FIRST FUNERAL SERVICES
Heinrich Muller, son of Heinrich and Emilie Muller, by Rev. Severing, (1888).
Johann Rademacher, son of Herman and Adele Rademacher, by Rev. Hammer, Nov. 27, (1888).
OUR ORGANIZATIONS
THE CHURCH SCHOOL
Founded the very beginning of St. John's history, the Church School or Sunday School has kept pace with the growth of the congregation. Offering, as it did at first, an opportunity for the young people to learn the German Language, the aim of the Church School has always been to emphasize education for Christian living. Maintaining high spiritual as well as educational standards the Church School now has an enrollment of about half the membership of our church. Our goal most naturally and very earnestly, is to have every member of St. John's Church a member of our church School. The present officers are: Louis Dirks, superintendent; Fred Kaiser, vice-superintendent; Wilma Wohler, secretary, and John Boske, treasurer. The teachers are: Mrs. Emma Wilhelm, Mrs. Virgie Boske, and Marie Evers in the Primary department; Mrs. Katie Behrens, Juniors; Helena Deverman, Intermediate; Rev. Beehler, young people; and Harold Deverman, adults.
THE WOMEN'S UNION
At the center of activity of nearly every function of St. John's congregation is to be found some member of the Women's Union. The oldest and largest organization, the Women's Union has many valuable spiritual, social, and financial contributions to our church life. On the second Thursday of every month the forty members of the society can be found considering some subject of local interest or of Larger Kingdom service. Organized during the ministry of Rev. Mernitz, the Women's Union has continually sought to interest all the ladies of St. John's in the great work of their society. This work touches every phase of life of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and also meets the local needs. The Lenten Quiet Hour, sponsored by the Women's Union each year, is perhaps the outstanding worship service of our church year. The contributions made each year to the Bensenville Orphanage and the Old People's Home and the Deaconess Hospital at Lincoln are always valuable. And the many fine touches to our Sunday morning services are always in evidence.
The present officers of the Women's Union are: Mrs. Dick Dirks, President; Mrs. Alice Simmering, vice-president; Mrs. Alma Weidhuner, recording secretary; Pauline Eggers, financial secretary; and Helena Deverman, treasure.
ST. JOHN'S BROTHERHOOD
In Point of organization the Brotherhood is one of our younger organizations. On December 13, 1929 a meeting of the men of the church was held for the purpose of organizing a Brotherhood. Under the leadership of Rev. Hildebrand, and aided by a group of Brotherhood men from Pekin, plans were outlined and officers elected, with 22 men signifying their desire to be members of the club. The first officers were: Louie Wilhelm, president; Fred Kaiser, vice-president; Harold Deverman, secretary; and Merle Dennis, treasurer. While several more have been added and others have lost their first interest, the Brotherhood remains active, though being a small group. Once each month, except during the summer harvest season, a program and business meeting is held with the aim always being to further the work of the men in an earnest endeavor to advance the work of the Kingdom of God. The present officers of the Brotherhood are: George Behrens, president; Fred Kaiser, vice-president; C. Beehler, secretary; and Henry Weidhuner, treasurer. The Brotherhood meets on the evening of the second Wednesday of each month.
EVANGELICAL LEAGUE
The Evangelical League is the newest of our organizations. Organized for the benefit of our Young People, the League offers valuable training in the spiritual and social activities of a Christian's life. Meeting twice a month. On the first and third Thursdays, the Young People give expression of the vitality of our future church. Following confirmation each young person is urged to join the Evangelical League and there continue their training in the Christian Way of Life. The publication of The Fireside Glow is one of the best known activities of our Young People as they keep before the Congregation the program of the church and aim to bring into each home some form of deeper inspiration for Christian Living and a selection of religious literature. The present officers of the League are: John Boske, president; Eileen Cramer, vice-president; Betty Boske, secretary; Marie Evers, treasurer. The End.
Question
One reader yesterday wanted to know what happened to all of the pews and other furnshings from the St. John's Church. I think I remember these were sold on auction. It seems I've been to various person's houses and saw pews from the church. Does anyone know for sure?? Thanks.
Old Pictures
Be sure to go to the bottom of the post for other pictures.
What's To Eat At Our House Tonight
It's turkey breast.....sliced and gobbled up with gusto. Maybe I will make a potato casserole and will have some tomatoes furnished by my neighbor. And cucumbers with onions in vinegar and sugar....and my favorite vegetable salad. Recipe follows:
Vegetable Salad
Mix 3/4 cup sugar and 3/4 cup cider vinegar. Add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or chop one clove of garlic. Add 1/2 teaspoon of parsley flakes. Heat 1.5 minutes in the microwave to melt the sugar....then let cool to lukewarm. After cooling, add 1/2 cup chopped onion and 1/2 cup finely chopped celery to the vinegar mixture. Open and drain 2 cans of french style green beans, one can of peas, one can of white shoe peg corn and add to vinegar. Stir and let chill for at least 12 hours. Note: This will keep about 2 weeks in the refrigerate. It's wonderful to take to a summer picnic. You can add chopped green pepper, but I think it tastes a lot better without it.
Thought For The Day
Nothing happens unless first a dream.
--Carl Sandburg
The mighty thought process gives us many areas to visit and ponder. On one occasion, the mind can trick you and make you think you are loaded down with information, then the next moment the mind has played its tricks, and you feel you know nothing. My mind wanders a lot and sometimes I feel like a little kid who hasn't been taught all of the wonders of the world. Today, the heat is wrapping me in a winter's wool muffler, so I feel my mind can't wander and can't move so it's best that I quit talking and go try to get this wool muffler from my mind....I guess by keeping cool. Take care....remember your roots....they grow strong in Greenview and live for long periods of time.
Jerman Tice
Homer Jenison Tice
John Tice
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