HR0782 LRB096 16135 KXB 31385 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to congratulate the staff and
4 congregation of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in West Dundee on the
5 100th anniversary of the church; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, founded in December of
7 1909, has been a mainstay of the West Dundee community,
8 shepherding locals from infancy through their adult lives;
9 throughout 2009, the congregation has recognized its 100th
10 birthday by inviting former pastors to preach at various
11 worship services; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Reverend Bill Stroup, pastor of St. John's
13 Lutheran Church in Algonquin, presided over the final
14 observance, as the church moves into its second century;
15 Reverend Stroup grew up as a member of the congregation and
16 performed leadership roles in the church before his ordination
17 in 2001; and
 
18     WHEREAS, Former music director Gary Lichthardt also
19 returned to play the organ during the services; Mr. Lichthardt,
20 currently serving Trinity Church in Roselle, formerly led a
21 thriving music program at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where he
22 was organist from 1979 to 1986; and
 

 

 

HR0782 - 2 - LRB096 16135 KXB 31385 r

1     WHEREAS, The commemoration coincided with Dickens in
2 Dundee, a local holiday celebration dating back to 1988; and
 
3     WHEREAS, In addition to liturgy services, the church
4 participated in local happenings, with a bake sale and hot soup
5 and sandwiches; therefore, be it
 
6     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
7 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
8 congratulate the staff and congregation of Bethlehem Lutheran
9 Church and wish them the best for years to come; and be it
10 further
 
11     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
12 presented to Reverend Steven Woita, current pastor of Bethlehem
13 Lutheran Church, as a symbol of our respect and esteem.