newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2009/1209/front_page/021.htmlGrace Lutheran Church marks 50th anniversary
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — A group of six families coming together in the summer of 1952 with a dream for a church of their own was the origin of Grace Lutheran Church.
On Dec. 7, 1952, the Rev. Ansis Kirsfeld began presiding at worship services with 13 families at the Freehold YMCA, according to information provided by Su Hu, the church secretary.
The name Grace was chosen by the congregation in thanksgiving to God and with the prayer that it would be by the grace of God that a Lutheran parish would be established in Freehold Borough, according to Hu.
Recognizing the need for a church in the borough and the deep commitment of the families and clergy involved, the Board of American Missions of the United Lutheran Church in America sent the Rev. Robert Oberkehr to be the full-time mission developer for the church in February 1959.
Grace Lutheran Church was officially organized as a congregation of the United Lutheran Church in America on Oct 11, 1959, with 109 adults and 40 children.
Ground was subsequently broken for the construction of a church and on March 11, 1962, the church building at the corner of Park Avenue and West Main Street was formally dedicated, according to Hu.
Today the house of worship is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Freehold Borough.
The Grace Lutheran Church has an active congregation and "in this challenging economic climate, the Stewardship Committee is encouraging members to celebrate generosity and to discover the joys of giving through growth in giving," Hu said.
She explained that Sunday school students are introduced to the Gospel each Sunday through stories and activities and learn the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles Creed together. Fifth-grade students receive their own Bible at worship. The church also has an Evangelism Committee, which works to find ways to encourage others to share Jesus Christ with the greater community, according to Hu.
The Rev. Kim Krogstad, pastor, who came to Freehold Borough from North Dakota, said she is enjoying her time in the community.
Referring to the church assignment as her "first call," Krogstad said she accepted the call and has been leading the church for two years. She discussed some of the programs and work the church does with its congregation.
"The purpose of the Evangelism Committee is to spread the word of Jesus Christ and what it means to us in our community," the pastor explained.
The pastor also focused on the religious instruction groups that are offered, such as the adult Bible study groups, which meet on Sunday morning and Thursday evening. Currently, the Thursday evening group is studying Old Testament individuals and their relevance to people's lives today.
"Currently, we are talking about Rachel in the context of lamenting," she said, adding that the talks center around disappointments in people's lives and how talking about these Biblical characters can be meaningful to those who are in situations like Rachel.
Krogstad said Rachel experienced love and betrayal as she lost her love to her older sister and ended up having to wait 14 years to marry the love of her life.
"We may not have to wait that long," the pastor said, "but we recognize the feeling of lamenting and deep longing and the emotions that are going on there. You don't have to be married to know what betrayal feels like, or not getting what you love or to be separated from the one you love."
The Sunday morning group is examining scripture to discuss where God is still working in the world.
The church also has a Social Ministry Committee which has hosted many community meals at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Freehold Borough. According to Krogstad, the Friday night dinner held at St. Peter's is hosted by Grace Lutheran Church quarterly.
"We plan the meal and bring in the food and interact with the people in St. Peter's Fellowship Hall," she said.
Youth group meetings are held monthly, according to Krogstad. A recent activity taught the young people how to purchase food for a family of four people on a limited budget.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Grace Lutheran Church a special service was held on Oct. 25. Bishop E. Roy Riley from the New Jersey Synod preached and Pastor Bruce Ewen, Pastor C. Robert Burkins and Pastor Beth Spitzner Neubauer led the congregation in prayer. Honored guests included many of Grace Lutheran Church's charter members.
The 50th anniversary celebration continued at the Jumping Brook Country Club, Neptune. This was a time of fellowship where the congregation had an opportunity to reminisce about the church's earlier years, according to Hu.
Krogstad added, "It was really nice to meet people who had ties to the church and to meet former pastors as well."
