HR0645 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0645 LRB095 12877 KXB 38363 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the pastor and congregation of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lena as they celebrate the church sesquicentennial; and

WHEREAS, On March 14, 1857, Reverend George Donmeyer and Reverend Eli Fair were missionaries who formed two separate congregations in Lena; Reverend Fair led the Amity Lutheran Church, an English-speaking congregation, and Reverend Donmeyer led the German-speaking congregation at Immanuel Lutheran Church; and

WHEREAS, The two congregations built and shared one building, developing a church schedule that allowed members to worship at whatever service fit their needs; in 1868 the Amity congregation purchased the building and the members of Reverend Donmeyer's congregation moved to a new building; and

WHEREAS, In 1966 the two churches merged to form the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, celebrating their 40th anniversary of merging last year; the pastor during the merge, Reverend Richard Bailey, returned to help the church celebrate the anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The current pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is Reverend Roger Hurlbut; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the pastor and congregation of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on this momentous occasion and wish them the best in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Roger Hurlbut as a symbol of our respect.