A salute to our past

March 2012 Good News, Jean J

During the service on Sunday January 22, 2012, the O.F.s officially retired and passed on the ministry to the new group, The Honey Doers.

The origin of the O.F.s began in 1982 when Pastor Lundin called a meeting of retired men with the purpose of performing preventive maintenance on the church. Pastor Lundin set the stage by serving coffee and cookies and asking the three men in attendance if they ever had a dream?

Bob Heiderich – "I want to be an astronaut."

Ernie Simi – "I want to sing in the choir directed by my son." Pastor Lundin replied, "Why don't you?" Ernie – "A teacher once told me that even frogs can sing."

Barney Hazarian – "I want to be a baseball player."

They reached an agreement this would be a working group – no bible study – and then set their schedule: 8 - 9 a.m. – coffee and left over Sunday donuts over conversation to address the world problems and politics and set their work for the day. 9 a.m. to noon – carry out the work schedule

Slowly the group enlarged as more men retired and became familiar with this quiet group. The church staff remembers the job of replacing light bulbs in the sanctuary. In those days a 16 foot wooden orchard ladder was used. It took 3 men to carry it from the Great Hall into the Sanctuary and then set it up, one brave person to climb to the top while the others (6) sturdied the ladder. This created the saying: How may O.F.s does it take to change a light bulb? Today that ladder is gone, to be replaced by metal ladders and the possibility of a lift rental.

Now, the O.F.s live in our memories and we thank them for the devotion to CGS and the ministry they created. We have said good-bye to: Bob Heiderich, Don Vail, Harry Russell, Art Petersen, Paul Natwick, Eric Forstrom, Lew Guetschow, Ken Evans and Don Berg. Paul Kirchoff lives in Northern California, Dave Hargens and Barney Hazarian are still active at CGS.

The torch from this group has been passed on to Matthew Chun, Randy Presuhn, Jeff Heiderich (son of Bob) and Tom Stein (son-in law of Paul Kirchoff) and the newest recruit Dwayne Riley. We welcome these men as they carry on this ministry.

And yes, the Old F____s chose their name - it does not stand for the Old Fellows.

With much love,
Jean Jensen, in collaboration with Barney and Dave.

History of CGS

CGS began life as two separate congregations, Christ Lutheran and Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Here is our story.

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd	Christ Lutheran Church
1946
Regional Home Mission Committee aurhorized Immanuel Lutheran Church (located downtown SJ) to sponsor a branch Sunday School in the Willow Glen area
1947
MARCH-Sunday School classes began at Hall of the Willow Glen Post of the American Legion, 1504 Isobel Drive. OCTOBER-Sunday worship service is added. Mr. Hugo Pearson, Stanford law student, Homilist
1948
AUGUST 1-Board of Missions calls Rev. Constant R. Johnson for full time position november 7-Congregation officially organized, chartered with 55 adults and 28 children. Eucharist celebrated once a month
1949
APRIL 17-Rolls closed with 78 adults and 51 children
1951
MARCH- 2 acre site on meridian at Alta Glen purchased (1550 Meridian) OCTOBER- Worship is expanded to two services: 8:30am and 11:00 with Sunday school at 9:45 am
1952
JANUARY-Membership:167 adults, 89 children APRIL-Campaign for building funds for 1st unit AUGUST 31-Groundbreaking for Sanctuary (1st unit) SPETEMBER-Work begins on 1st unit NOVEMBER-Membership: 191 adults, 132 children
1953
APRIL-Palm Sunday, Dedication of Sanctuary (what is now the Fellowship Hall). 4000 hours of donated labor given to building unit. Membership: 248 adults DECEMBER-Parsonage is completed.
1955
	Christ Lutheran is a member of Pacific Southwest Synod of United Lutheran Church in America Baord of Mission authorizes Rev. Donald L Albert, mission developer, to begin church in Foxworhty/Leigh area AUGUST 7-1st service 10:00am in home of Mr. and Mrs. Sven Olson, 15425 Chelsea Drive. 20 people attend OCTOBER 30-Two services due to increase iin August attendance (9:30 and 11am). Sunday school at 10am. Holy Eucahrist last Sunday of the month. NOVEMBER 27-Charter Sunday. Average attendance: 44 Fall of 1955-2.6 acres (chicken ranch) upon which stand 2 house and a barbeque pit are purchased at 14480 Foxworthy Ave. United Lutheran Church underwrite financing of property. Plans call for construction of sanctuary and educational facilities.
1956
	FEBRUARY 12-Formal occupation of property begins. 60 persons attend. Services at 9 and 11, Sunday school at 10. APRIL/MAY-Evangelism mission outreach started
FALL-Rev. Johnson leaves for Chicago parish Rev. Perry A Carlson is issued a call and installed.	SEPTEMBER 7-Rev. Albert weds Joan A. Ranges. OCTOBER/NOVEMBER-Rev. Albert departs. DECEMBER-Rev. Richard C. Arthur arrives and is installed.
1957
	FEBRUARY 15-Christ Lutheran becomes organized mission congregation with 70 members.
1958
MAY-Dedication and use of Educational unit. 375 members NOVEMBER 8-10 year anniversary service	SPRING-Building Committee formed and building project started. Services 8:30 and 11, Sunday school at 9:45.
1959
	Adult membership: 165
1960
Building committee formed for new sanctuary. Luther League both Sr and Jr formed. Membership: 425 adults, 234 children, 275 communing. Average attendance: 209 worship, 147 Sunday school.	JULY 31-Rev. Arthur resigns. MAY 17-Plans for first unit approved. OCTOBER-Call issued to Rev. Robert W. Warblow. DECEMBER 1-Rev. Warblow first Sunday.
1961
	JANUARY 15-Rev. Warblow installed. JUNE 18-Groundbreaking Membership: 340 baptized, 213 confirmed, 156 communing. Average attendance: 126 worship, 79 Sunday School
1962
NOVEMBER-celebration of 15 year anniversary. Membership: 425 confirmed.	FEBRUARY 4-Dedication serivce for entrance into new chapel. 241 attended. Membership: 328 Baptized, 224 Confirmed, 185 Communing. Average attendance: 138 worship, 100 Sunday school.
1963
JANUARY 1-Merger of United Lutheran Church, American Evangelical Lutheran Church (Danish), Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church (Suomo synod), and Augustana Lutheran Church to form the Lutheran Church in America under the presidency of Dr. Franklin Clark Fry.
1964
	DECEMBER 20-Enter new facilities of Fellowship hall, Education classrooms, and administration offices.
1965
JANUARY-Ground breaking for new sanctuary takes place. Membership of 425. NOVEMBER 7 (17 year anniversary)-Service of dedication for new sanctuary.	JANUARY 17-Dedication service of Chapel and Education building.
1966
	AUGUST 28-Rev. Varblow leaves for ministry in Northridge, CA NOVEMBER 13-Rev. Norman J. Thalman is installed at Christ Lutheran.
1967
Warren Howell intern from PLTS begins	Beginning in '67 and continuing through to 1970 there is a deficit balance.
1968
Membership: 609 baptized, 351 confirmed, 305 communing. Average attendance: 125 Sunday school.	Membership: 752 baptized, 398 confirmed, 330 communing. Average attendance: 200 Worship, 228 Sunday school.
1970
APRIL 19-Rev. Carlson resigns, good-bye dinner held. APRIL 26-MAY 31-Vice Pastor: Donald Green, Assistant Pastor Richard Froehlig (since '69) in charge of worship. MAY 17-Council and congregation begin discussion concerning events and actions in regard to Christ Lutheran's consolidation proposal and the calling of a pastor. A committee is formed.	APRIL-Council approaches Good Shepherd as to dialog concerning consolidation. JUNE 1-At congregational meeting, 56 vote for merger of Christ Lutheran and Good Shepherd for summer services and further plans of consolidation, 7 voted against. A committee is formed for consolidation dialog.
JUNE 7-beginning of combined worshop services. 9:00am Contemporary, 10:30am Traditional, No Sunday school during summer. Beginning also of other joint activities-VCS, youth groups, etc. Pastor Thalman worship leader and visitation as well as other pastoral needs.
JUNE 7 through JULY 19-Worship at Good Shepherd. JULY 26 through SEPTEMBER 6-Worship at Christ.
JUNE 13-Church picnic
JUNE 18-Combined newsletter entitled "Good News of Christ Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd." Committee for Consolidation meets for the first time.
AUGUST 16-Special congregational meeting called to vote on a resolution to extend combined services until January 1, 1971 or as long as talks for consolidation are in progress. Results of meeting: Good Shepherd-unanimously for, Christ-64 to 33
SEPTEMBER 13-Worship begins at Good Shepherd until January 1. 9am Contemporary, 10:45 Traditional, 10:05 Sunday school.
OCTOBER 4-Panel Discussion on Pros and Cons of consolidation held.
DECEMBER 13-Special congregational meeting on the vote for consolidation. A 2/3 majority is needed by both churches. Those who do not vote that vote is considered a "no" vote. Results of meeting: After six months of gestation consolidation of two sister churches is passed.
Good Shepherd: 86% (272) voted for 7% (20) voted against 7% (22) didn't vote 93% active confirmed voted	Christ: 71% (340) voted for 21% (102) voted against 8% (40) didn't vote 92% active confirmed voted
To this merger, Good Shepherd brings 900 baptized and Christ brings 600 baptized.
1971
MAY 23-Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran CHurch is officially dedicated as a new congregation of P.S.W. Synod of the ELCA. Pastor Thalman is installed as first minister.
Services: 9am Free service (Contemporary), 11:00am Traditional Membership: 1361 baptized, 869 confirmed, 668 communing. Average attendance: 409 worship.
1972
Pastor Thalman concernd first time in ministry he has experienced a decline in membership.
1973
David Simi, organist since 1963, becomes Choirmaster/Organist
1977
Property on Foxworthy (Christ Lutheran) is sold. Reduce debt and remainder put into reserve
1979
DECEMBER 30-Ceremony of Burning of the Mortgage papers for church and for the organ
1980
Pastor Thalman's depression over declining membership over the last 10 years continues. He is seeking other calls. Average attendance: 219
1981
MAY 3-Pastor Thalman has a debate at church-"Genesis is a Myth-Evolution and Creation debate." Congregation is divided.
1982
MAY 23-Pastor Thalman resigns. Celebration of his 30 years in ministry. MAY 30-Barry Vail, Intern Vicar, guest celebrant. FISH started AUGUST 29-Congregational meeting for calling Rev. Jack W. Lundin. OCTOBER 24- Rev. Lundin's first service. NOVEMBER 21-Rev. Lundin's installation service. 9:00 am service changed from fee service back to contemporary. Troop 260 begins meeting at CGS after formerly meeting at Kirk school. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER-Rev. Lundin begins brain-storming sessions for lay leadership involvement in worship life, music, drama, dance and other expressions of ministry as well.
1983
SEPTEMBER 4-Service times changed: 8:45am and 11:00am, 10:00am Sunday School.
1984
JANUARY 2-Begin to celebrate Eucharist at every service on every Sunday. AUGUST 28-Barry Vail is ordained. NOVEMBER 1-Nancy Nielsen joins staff as Parish Education Associate. Membership: 655 baptized, 428 confirmed, 433 Communing. Average attendance: 211 Worship SEPTEMBER through AUGUST 1985-Dave Sharkey is intern.
1985
SEPTEMBER 1985 through AUGUST 1986-Alexia Gunther-Bowley is intern. MARCH-Roberta Wilkins joins staff, after 1 year volunteer work, as Program Assistant. Jean Jensen joins staff as Parish Secretary.
1986
SEPTEMBER 1986 through AUGUST 1987- Timothy M. Huff, Intern. Membership: 686 baptized, 460 confirmed, 481 communing. Average attendance: 215 worship
1987
JANUARY-MAY-Dream sessions are held. What are the dreams, hopes, desires for future ministry at CGS? MAY-Dream proposals are submitted to council for a 3 year pledge drive. Council passes proposal. SEPTEMBER-Every Sunday at 10:00, Forums are held for congregation in orer to discuss and share dreams. SEPTEMBER 27-Congregation will vote on Dream Proposal Pledge Drive.