German Greeting

That is what you might have heard 125 years ago…

We welcome you to the 125^th Anniversary of the Founding of this Church, St Peter’s Evangelical UCC

I, by the way am David Rauch, member of church, church board--representing the 5^th generation of my family to be involved in the life of St. Peter’s Church-- a bit of a local history buff, and a recent retiree…By the way there are at least a couple of here who some would say are prematurely retired, who have gained some new expertise these past few weeks that might even afford us some new found part time work opportunities that we may just as well advertise this afternoon. That expertise is has to do with the removal of old cornerstones from old buildings—and we even know some of the do’s and don’ts about what to do with the contents that are sometimes found within…

Cornerstone gained some notoriety…contents on display and identified…

Guten Tag ice breaker

We gather together to celebrate past… not to just dwell on the past nostalgically as a sentimental journey into the proverbial, and rarely truly, "good old days."

But we gather to celebrate and give thanks for the contributions and sacrifices of those who have come before, those who have helped shape the world in which we find ourselves, who have helped make us who we are, if you will. We gather to acknowledge and celebrate God’s abiding grace throughout the years; to affirm that Grace and to use our knowledge of the pat to learn more about who we are and to gain instruction as we face the future.

I think that we as among the faithful would agree that those are Biblically grounded goals.

Let us acknowledge up front that the history of this congregation—like the history of any congregation, including the early Christian Churches of the first century to which many of the writing of the New Testament address and admonish—the history of this congregation is not without fault or blemish, and unfortunately some of those have been pretty staggering at times. But as the old saying goes, "God is not done with us yet," either.

And as we learn from the achievement and high points of the past, may we also learn from our mistakes, the errors, this sins of the past, as well.

And there is much to celebrate, much to glean from the past and upon which to build the future. And we have some very special recognitions to make as part of our program this afternoon.

Ring the bells Church bells..call us to worship.. .sometimes to toll out sad news…and thankfully, as well, to announce good news and celebrations Let us ring the bells in celebration…

Pastor Doug Burwick, 23^rd pastor invocation prayer

Sing "Fairest Lord Jesus" English or German

In the mid 1830’s the earliest settlers came to the area that later would include the town the became known as Billings.

But it was not until the early 1870’s that the area would grow in population and develop economically.

As was the case in so many areas of the western expansion in so many areas of the western expansion of the United States, the catalyst for growth and change involved two important ingredients: immigrants and other settlers looking for land and opportunity, and the coming of the Iron Horse: the railroad.

By 1871 the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad—soon to be known as the Frisco—had stretched its way into Southwest Missouri.

In that year an eastern railroad executive by the name of Fredric Billings offered a building lot and $1000 to construct a union church, if the community would name itself after him. The offer was accepted and the town of Billings was put on the map.

The Railroad was granted land yet to be homesteaded along its planned corridor to use and sell to gain capital and encourage the development of markets to assure its profitability.

In the late 1870’s through the early 1880’s a wave of German speaking immigrants relocated to Southwest Missouri. Some of these pioneers had previously settled in other parts of the American Midwest; others came directly from their homelands of Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

In the late 1870’s advertisements placed by the expanding new railroad into the frontier in the west would appear in eastern newspapers offering free rail passage for those interested on moving west and willing to scout out potentially productive and comparably inexpensive land.

In 1880, after initially settling in Ohio, my great grandfather, Philipp Rauch and his brother Nikolaus, along with their neighbor in Germany, Johann Griesemer, who had just arrived themselves from Germany, all took the railroad up on its offer, scouted out land between Springfield and Pierce City and ended up buying 80 acres each in or nearby the newly organized town of Billings. These three were typical of many others who would end up in the Ozarks.

Here is a quote from a letter written back to his family Germany by Nikolaus Rauch. This letter along with several others, by the way, was found in recent years in the attic of the old Rauch home place in Germany, which is still standing today and is the current home of one of the relatives from Germany who visited us last spring.

This is part of what Nikolaus Rauch wrote in July of 1880:

"We have the impression that the neat little village where we bought our land is going to grow. There are many Germans there, all of whom have settled during the past five years. There are only about 200 inhabitants, but there are two churches and schools, a doctor and pharmacy. Lumberyards; everything one would need. The land we bought is right on the city limits of the town…the land cost $11 an acre. All the brothers will be able to find land close to ours and they will buy as soon as possible…There is native corn as well as good wheat, grapes and other fruit, including peaches. There is also flat higher ground and a healthy climate. Game is available including large and small deer and numerous rabbits. Wild grapes and wild plum are also plentiful. The humming bird is the smallest bird in the world and there are many to be found in this area."

The first four of the five Rauch brothers who would settle in the Billings along with their wives—and who eventually would have a total of 29 children among them--arrived just a few months after St. Peter’s Church was organized.

The wave of German speaking immigration that would impact the Billings community, would spread through Southwest Missouri, but especially into parts of western Christian County, eastern Lawrence County and in and around the City of Springfield.

With the German speaking people would come dramatic changes. They would introduce a new language and culture. Many brought with them a progressive and experimental mindset, and they would introduce new and improved farming practices. Like many of the early settlers in the area, many of the new German-speaking folk worked together, shared their labor, ideas and knowledge, drawn together by a common language and culture, as well as common need. They developed prosperous farms, orchards and other fruit operations, and picked a lot of rocks, as the rock fence rows and rock piles surviving on many area farms today still testify.

New businesses would arise owned by people with names like: Berghaus, Verfurth, Neyer, Schmidt, Schmill, DeBrunner, Griesemer and Schaefer, to name a few.

The industrious new residents’ penchant for working together for common purposes, would contribute to the establishment a cooperative creamery, as well as one of the first mutual casualty insurance companies in the area. Later when the Missouri Farmers Association, a cooperative farmers organization that has had a significant impact on rural Missouri and the broader Midwest for decades, when the MFA organized in Billings, many German names would be among its founders.

These German-speaking people would bring with them a strong emphasis on education and the love for music. They would also bring with them different faith traditions that would contribute significantly to the spiritual heritage of the Ozarks region.

These people were a mixture of Protestants and Catholics. Their religious beliefs had deep ties to their European homelands. Their faith traditions were very important to them, were a source of comfort and hope, especially in time of trial and tragedy that often accompanied pioneer life.

It was often that when several families settled close together efforts were made to organize German speaking churches and call pastors who could minister to and among them in their native language.

The first Catholic priest visited the community in 1879 and later in 1883, St. Joseph’s Church was formally organized and church building constructed, with the assistance, I am pleased to note, of some of their Protestant friends, including, I must add, my great great uncle John Rauch.

At one time there was a German Lutheran Church in Billings and a German Methodist Church, both which counted German settlers as among their original members. In later years when these churches disbanded, many of the families migrated to St. Peter’s Church, as well as other local churches. It is my understanding that the German Methodist Church stood on the triangular shaped lot across from today’s Billings United Methodist Church. The German Lutheran Church was located in what is today the 300 block of South Pine Street.

By the way, the family of the late Harry Koppenburg, a descendent of one of this community’s prominent German families and early members of this church, has graciously allowed us to display one of many of Harry’s wonderful creations, this one being a scale model of the Billings community at the turn of the 20^th Century with many of the businesses, churches and other public buildings identified. This display can be viewed in the old parsonage/ annex new door, along with the contents of the time capsule recently taken from the current church’s cornerstone, about which I will have more to share a little later.

With the support and assistance of the Home Mission’s Board of the German Evangelical Church of North America an effort was made in 1879 to organize a local Evangelical Church in the Billings community. Under the direction of the Rev. W. Hattendorf, St. Peter’s Church was finally and officially organized in early 1880.

The founders and the founding pastor immediately made plans--and borrowed the funds necessary--for the erection of a church building. The site for the church generously was provided by the Frisco Railroad for the nominal fee of one dollar. The task of construction was assigned to two other early members: Benedict Hutter and E (or A) Schmidt. The church dedication date was June 20, 1880, and it was upon this same date that the congregation was formally organized and named.

Although I have not been able to find a document that actually lists the names of the original founders, a church history written by the Rev. Karl Baur on the occasion of the St. Peter’s 60^th anniversary in 1940, lists the following to be among the charter members of St. Peter’s Church: Casper Goessling, Fredrick Bohm, Louis Lehman, Wilhelm Kruger, Robert Becker, Peter Schuch, Carl Barke and John Wutke.

We want to recall briefly the nine founders of the congregation and to recognize anyone here today, member or nonmember who historically has a connection with these founding members.

Casper Goessling is credited with requesting that the Home Mission Board of the German Evangelical Synod of North America to send a pastor to pursue the establishment of an Evangelical Church in Billings. He is further identified as an active lay leader of the church. He and his wife, Hannah had two children when they arrived in Billings. The two children were among the first confirmation class in 18811. Hannah was born in Germany. We are not sure where Casper was born. Their son, and Hannah herself, both died in 1884. Casper remarried a widow, Anna Popp with five of her own children. Caspar and his new wife would have three more children, two who were apparently twins, a girl and boy and both died shortly after birth in 1887; the third child, Emilie, lived into adulthood. Emilie’s grandson, Casper’s greatgrandson, Pat O’Bryant, and Pat’s grandson, Isaiah, were here for the time capsule opening last week. Casper died due to an accident in a local mill where he worked in 1889.

Peter Schuch was born in Nieder Liebersbach, Hessen Darmstadt, 1in 1848. His wife, Magdalena Schaeren . came Canton Bern in Switzerland. They both came to the United States as young people and married in Galion, Ohio, in 1875. When they came to Billings they settle on a farm south and east of town, where their granddaughter Helen Tinsley lives today. They had four sons. One died in infancy and is buried in St. Peter’s Cemetary. Their son, John, was the first son of the congregation to be ordained into the Christian ministry, and was the grandfather of Mary Burkhardt.. Peter Schuch was the delegate representing St. Peters at the state meeting of the Evangelical Church in 1892, a fact we learned from one of the documuent recovered from the time capsule. Peter Schuch died in 1922 and Magdalena died in 1946.

Frederick DeBrunner was born in Switzerland 1837 and married Mary Werder in 1868, before they came to the Billings community from Sigourney, Iowa, in 1877. They had five children. A grandson was Leonard Combs who was long a friend of St Peter’s Church though he did not live in Billings. Fredrick DeBrunner for years he pumped the organ and also served for a while as the church custodian. He was a businessman in Billings and apparently very involved in the town in its early days. When he died on Feb 21, 1907, Pastor Kraft noted in the church death records that Frederick DeBrunner’s funeral was conducted in English as well as the typical German, which may in part have been due to the fact that many English speaking people attended his funeral, testifying to his involvement in the broader community. By the way the same record indicates that Dr. Brown, the long serving and well respected local doctor stated that Mr. DeBrunner died of a sudden heart attack.

Wilhelm Kruger was born in Germany in 1841and died in a tree cutting accident in 1885, leaving his widow, Fredericka Acterberg, with eight children and one on the way to provide for. She would later remarry Karl Theodore Zeiroth and they would have one children and one on the way when he was killed when kicked by a mule in 1890. She went on to raise all of her children on a farm south of Billings where she lived until her death in 1912. Wilhelm Kruger was the first of the original founding members to die and to be buried in the St. Peter’s Cemetery which was founded in 1881. He was the grandfather of Louise Bluebaum.

Julius Lehman, also believed to be known as Louis Lehman was born in Germany. He married Auguste Bengsch in 1873 in Menestic, Michigan. It is believed that they came to the Billings community in 1877, being among the first German speaking settlers to settle here. Julius and Auguste had had six children when he died in June of 1888. In the fall of 1888 Augusta married John Voelkner. Fred and Carolyn Zell are descendents of Julius Lehman.

Carl Barke, and his wife Wilhelmina, both were born in West Prussia in what is now Germany. They had four children. Carl and Wilhelmina were married in Germany and their eldest child was born there. They first located in the State of Ohio and later moved to Billings. In Germany Carl was a shoemaker by trade. Though he brought tools of his trade with him, the story goes that he was too busy clearing land and making a living from farming to ever pursue his original profession. Carl died in 1886 in his early 40s. Wilhelmina survived him by 40 years and never remarried. There grandsons, Philipp Barke and Otto Barke still live in the Billings community along with other descendents.

Robert Baecker is one of the founders about whom we know very little. The church records indicate that he was born in New Orleans in 1847, and died in Billings in 1903 and was buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery, although today there is not known grave marker. Ludwig Heinrich Baecker was confirmed in 1884 and this was probably Robert Baeker’s son.

John Wutke was born in Hamburg Germany in 1842 and died in Billings in 1929. He was the lived a longer life than most of the other founders of the church, outliving his wife by 30 years. They had one son and six daughters. One of their daughters, Minnie Wutke Haynes donated a significant amount of money for the time in the mid 1960’s which was used to pay for the addition of the current fellowship hall and downstairs Sunday School rooms in 1967. The fellowship hall is officially named for the Wutke family.

Frederick Bohm was born in 1837 in Tempelburg, in the German state of Pommerania which is today part of Poland. He married Allima Kruger and they had two children. He was a farmer and lived the longest of life of any of the founders, dying at age 89 in 1929. Apparently all those with the Bohm family name in the community stemmed from this Frederick William Bohm. The late Minnie Bohm was among his grandchildren, as was Ed Zell whose mother was a Bohm, Fred and Carolyn Zell’s father.

We do not seem to know much about who E. Schmidt was, though we do know that Mr. E Schmidt and Benedict Hutter are credited with constructing the first church building. Benedict Hutter was a well known early member who served the church in many capacities over his long life. Benedict Hutter’s wife died aboard ship and was buried at sea after the family left their native Switzerland in 1873 for America. He and his six children first settled in the state of Indiana, but eventually settled in the Billings community around 1880. Many of our current members have a common connection to this church and to each other through a common ancestor, Benedict Hutter.

Obvously, there are many more names to add to the list of the members of this church, early on and later on, who have played a central role in its life. We recall the names of the identified founders today, and in so doing we pay our respect and give thanks for the lives and sacrifices of the many pioneers and pilgrims in faith who blazed the trail for future generations, including the generations represented here this afternoon.

The church’s original constitution, adopted in 1880, and of course in German, begins with a statement of Belief and Purpose: Translated it reads as follows:

The German Evangelical Synod of North America was an offshoot of the German Evangelical Church of the Union in Germany. The mother church was a result of the merger of several regional Lutheran and Reformed churches in Germany in the early 19^th Century.

St. Peter’s Church from the beginning and throughout its early years was an active part of what would later be shorten to The Evangelical Synod of North America. In 1934 this denomination and the Reformed Church of America merged to become the Evangelical and Reformed Church. In the late 1950’s the E & R Church joined with the Congregational Christian Church to found the United Church of Christ.

The denomination that St. Peter’s has been tied to historically has been deeply committed throughout its history to ministering to the world in which found itself. The Evangelical Church created and supported mission boards and institutions of higher education. In response to the call of a practical faith, it founded many benevolent institutions, including hospitals, homes for the mentally handicapped, children’s homes, homes for the elderly, and institutions and facilities with which to assist the less fortunate and the poor. From its very beginnings, and perhaps in part because of it immigrant background, this was a denomination deeply committed to social justice and striving to live out the Kingdom of God in this life, as well as the next.

In matters of faith, as stated in the congregation’s original constitution, this is a congregation that has looked to the historic Augsburg Confession, Luther’s catechism and the Heidelberg Catechism as guides to Christian faith and practice. However, at the same time, throughout its history, St Peter’s has been part of a faith tradition that has refused to be bound by any authority except the Holy Scriptures and the conscience of the individual believer.

The United Church of Christ, as was the case with its individual predecessor denominations, has always been receptive to ecumenical discussions and activities. A motto of the church is "That they may all be one." A historic principle of the church continues to be: "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, diversity; in all things charity."

For many years St. Peter’s was commonly referred to in the community of Billings as the "German" Church. Though proud of the congregation’s historic roots, today St. Peter’s Church--like the denomination that has evolved with which it continues to be associated--is an active, committed and diverse community of faith, as well as a reminder of the German-speaking heritage of the Billings community and the Ozark’s region. It’s current membership includes some who draw direct connections with the congregation’s original founders, as well as those of various other faith traditions and church backgrounds. Today, I believe my fellow member would agree that we consider our diversity a sign of our strength as a congregation as well as our commitment to the calling of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people and to all the world.

We are pleased to have The Rev. Dale Parson, the Associate Conference Minister of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ to bring greetings from the larger church, of which St. Peter’s has been a part for the past 125 years.

During its early years especially, St Peter’s congregation enjoyed a special association and kinship with other Evangelical Churches in the area. For many years St. Peter’s Church along with Zion Evangelical Church in Hoberg, or rural Mt. Vernon, also known as Spring Creek Prairie, St. John’s Church in Springfield, and St. John’s Church in Verona, shared a common monthly newsletter called the Ozark Evangelical Herald, and gathered together for special events such Mission Festivals.

Zion Church, Hoberg, was founded in 1879, and as such was the first Evangelical Church founded in the Ozarks. It is still an active though small congregation. St. Peter’s played a helpful role in the founding of both St. John’s Church in Verona in the early 1890’s, as well as St. John’s Church in Springfield in 1887. The church in Verona closed its doors many years ago. St. John’s Church in Springfield, at the corner of Scott and Main, and St. John’s Chapel United Church of Christ remain active congregations today.

St. Peter’s first church structure, built in 1880, served as a house of worship for the fledgling congregation until 1893 when a much larger and more elaborate sanctuary was dedicated. The first church was moved to back of the church lot to accommodate the construction of the new church.

Thereafter the original church building served as a church school, Sunday School, and fellowship hall until it was razed in 1967 to make room for the new fellowship hall/Sunday School addition which continues to serve the church today.

Soon after the founding of the church the church board decided out of necessity and tradition that there was a need for a church cemetery. The earliest grave marker dates back to 1882, although the church records indicate that the cemetery was established in 1881.

In its own way the cemetery is a testimony to the sometimes difficult and challenging lives of, especially the early members of the church. Those brief biographies of the nine founders and their families are witnesses to that, obviously, as well as the anchor that their faith had to play in their lives. Life was not easy back in those days

In 1880 the Ozarks region was still very much of a frontier in ways, and vulnerable to the unpredictable forces of nature and circumstances of life. By 1900, just 20 years after the congregation’s founding, the church records number 100 deaths, of which 75 were infants and youth.

St. Peter’ Cemetery remains a cemetery serving primarily the members of the church. Next Sunday, Memorial Day Sunday, if the weather holds we will dedicate two new flag poles during our traditional annual morning worship service at the cemetery. The flag poles are intended to fly the nation’s flag and the traditional Christian flag. The presence of the American flag will in part honor those buried there who were in the military services., which by the way, include veterans of the Civil War, the Indian Wars, as well as the wars and conflicts of the 20^th Century.

With its growth in membership during its early years, discussion began about the need to construct a new and bigger church to accommodate the church’s expanding membership. After much discussion a consensus was reached build a new church in the summer of 1892.

The construction of the new Church began with the laying of the cornerstone on what would be a combination of Mission Sunday and Reformation Sunday, October 30, 1892. It was an occasion of great celebration that attracted people from throughout the area, and included the participation of pastors from Springfield and neighboring Hoberg, . The following is taken from an article in the local newspaper at the time, contributed by founding member of the Church, Fredrick DeBrunner:

"Never in the history of our little city has any event, political, social or religious ever created so great and undivided enthusiasm, as did the laying of the cornerstone of the new German Evangelical church on Sunday last. On Saturday evening people from the country began pouring in from every direction by wagon loads and took up quarters with their German friends for a night’s rest. The morning trains from east and west brought additional visitors. As the morning hours wore along the sun began to thrust its friendly rays through the foggy crust of the autumnal sky, seemingly anxious to add its charm to the solemnity of the occasion and perhaps too, to search whether this act was going to be done in a real Christian spirit; and by nine o’clock, the hour appointed, fully 400 people covered the church lot to do honor to the occasion and to pay homage to their Creator and Preserver.

And that was just the morning activities… Another service followed in the afternoon.

Article concludes:

It was not until the fall of 1893 that the completed new sanctuary was dedicated "to the worship of the triune God and service to man."

The contractor was John Kastendieck and the final cost of the building was $2351. A debt of over $800 was carried until it was finally paid off nine years later.

The church bells were installed at the same time and were tuned to D and F sharp. The bells were cast in St. Louis by a company known as Stuckstede and Brother in 1893 and they are inscribed with the scripture verses, in German, "Come, for all things are ready" And "Yes, come Lord Jesus!" By the way their cost was just under $292.30 and that included freight from St. Louis. The old records of the church indicate that the cost of installing the church bells in the tower of the new sanctuary was a total of $3.50.

The laying of the cornerstone of the new church even made the Springfield news papers the day after. But it is not make the newspaper’s front page….that took 125 years to accomplish! As we approached our 125^th anniversary celebration the Church Board agreed that we were the generation for whom the time capsule in that cornerstone had been placed to discover! Cornerstone, as many of you have read, contain some very interesting documents, including a listing of the 82 individuals representing as many families who made financially pledges to the construction of the new church, totally more than $2000, a substantial amount of money for the time. It also included a very interesting then current copy of the Billings Times, the local weekly community newspaper, the only document in the English language. The contents of the cornerstone’s copper box are displayed and identified in the front of the church……

Obviously, at the time of the construction of the new church, the German language was the language of worship at St. Peter’s. The use of the German language continue to a lesser and lesser degree into the 1930’s which coincided with the passing of many of the original generation that first settled the area and were responsible for the founding of the Congregation.

An ongoing reminder of the congregation’s ethnic past is the distinctive inscription that remains on the wall behind me. Taken from the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, the fourteenth verse, the endearing proclamation of the Angels to the lowly shepherd outside Bethlehem that first Christmas Eve:

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill to all people."

That message of Good News and hope has challenged, encouraged, and comforted the faithful of this congregation for more than 125 years now, and its continuing promise beckons to us today as well.

Several years ago, Bill Zoller, who grew up and was confirmed in this church, in recent years crafted the stained glass angels that now surround and accent that message of the Angels for us today

As has been mentioned before, Music has played a special role in the life of St. Peter Church throughout its history. Over the years the adult and youth choirs have been a mainstay of weekly worship as well as a highlight of special events, especially those surrounding the Christmas season, which is always a special time here at St.Peter’s.

Adult choirs, youth choirs, brass choirs, quartets, soloists and all kinds of other combinations and arrangements have marked the musical heritage of this congregation over the years. Central to all of these has been the accompanying instruments of the organ and the piano. As I look out over those assembled here I can identify several who have sat at the piano bench over the years, often the unsung heroes, or heroines, assisting and augmenting musical ministry. Anyone who has played….

But no part of St. Peter’s history is more remarkable, or noteworthy, than that of the high calling of Church organist, a position held by an incredibly small number of individuals over the life of the congregation. For the first 58 years of St. Peter’s life as a congregation, one man, Mr. William Bluebaum, braved all kinds of circumstances and even weather to be the Church organist and all that went with that distinguished calling. Most, if not all, of those years the instrument he played had to be manually pumped to amplify its sound.

Closing in on Mr. Bluebaum’s daunting record as Church organist is St. Peter’s current Church organist, Erna Lou Kastendieck, who is now well into her 51st year on the bench. Not only has Erna Lou faithfully served her home church for these many years, but she has also served the broader community as well with her musical gifts.

We want to honor Erna Lou in a special way this afternoon as we attempt to recall and celebrate her amazing dedication and generosity over the years. I can think of no one who has more faithfully shared her God-given talents as generously and as competently as had this remarkable and talented lady!

Rough math calculates that Erna has accompanied more than 2900 regular morning worship services over the years….Of course this does not include the incredible number of weddings, funerals and other special occasions you have played for over the years.

Erna, we honor you and give God thanks for your enduring service these many years.

Reflections and presentations…

Representing an appreciative community beyond the members of this congregation, is Judy from Meador’s Funeral home to make a special presentation.

There are at least four other individuals who help fill in the gap between the time that Mr. Bluebaum concluded his years of service in the late 1930’s and when Erna Lou began her service to St. Peter’s in 1954. Three of those four young women happen to be with us this morning and I want to acknowledge each of them. Ella Marie Rauch Schultz, Helen Kathryn Rauch McGinnis and Betty Ann Rauch Brady. Please stand…

Helen Kathryn is going to grace us with a presentation at the piano that reflects her recollections on what she recalls as the musical history of the congregation during her lifetime. By the way, if you look closely, you will find Helen Kathryn on the front row of this picture, albeit during your slightly younger days…

Eleven years after the founding of St. Peters Evangelical Church, then-Pastor Wenger encouraged the women of the church to formally organize themselves as a service organization within the young congregation. On June 4, 1891, the St Peter’s Ladies Aid was founded, and now for more than 114 years this group has been an essential and exemplary part of the life of the church ever since. Recalling the history and the contributions of St. Peter’s Church over years, within its membership and beyond, could not be told without noting the role of this group throughout the years

For generations now the women of St. Peter’s regularly have met together for study, for prayer and spiritual growth, for fellowship and for service to the church, the community and beyond. Their legacy has included a myriad of special ministries that have touched the lives of countless people, literally all over the world.

One of the very special ministries of care and compassion of the women of St. Peter’s has been that of providing food, especially in times of special need. With this in mind one of the special projects that we have taken on during the year of celebration is that of publishing a commemorative cookbook which will be dedicated to the honor and memory of the women who have made up what is now known as the Women’s Guild and their unique ministry throughout the years.

This special cookbook includes a variety of special recipes, some of which have been passed down over the years.

By the way, we have a signup sheet for any who would like order one of these commemorative cookbook.

Youth and young people have been central to the life and focus of St. Peter’s Church from its beginning days. It was very interesting to note that a number of the documents found in the time capsule were youth related, covering a variety of age groups.

There has been an active Sunday School program for all ages here ever since Pastor Balzer introduced the idea in the early 1880’s. An emphasis upon the training of the young has been a priority throughout the congregation’s history and has always been considered essential to the future of the faith and of the church. Throughout the years many dedicated adults have given of their time and talents to the teaching ministry of the church. These teachers have provided both a lasting influence, and endeared themselves to the lives of literally hundreds of children and young people who have been associated with St. Peter’s Church over they years.

There is not a young person who grew up in this church—and this is probably true of all churches—who does not have a distinctive memory of the women (and sometimes men, too) who touched their lives as Sunday School teachers and/or youth group leaders over the years. As I think back I believe I can recall each person who I had as a teacher here at St. Peter’s both while I lived here as a child and when I would come back and visit. Among the first in my own memory were Dora and Rosie Ebert who are with us this afternoon.

We celebrate the teaching ministry of St. Peter’s as we recall its first 125 years, and ask that all who have been a part of that ministry—in any way—over the years.

Thank you all as we celebrate your special contributions to the ministry of this church over the past 125 years!

Nothing was looked forward to in the life of St. Peter’s Church more, especially by its young people, than that of the annual Sunday School and All Church Picnic. Each summer a Sunday was set aside for the members of the church, their families and their friends from other churches to gather for a day of fellowship, food, relaxation and games and activities for the children.

Sunday Church services were held at the picnic’s location. For many years that site was at Park’s Branch Spring south of town on what is now known as the Howard Rauch farm. A carry-in picnic dinner would follow, as would an afternoon of fun and fellowship before the crowd would have to disperse to home for evening chores.

The tradition of an annual Sunday School picnic has continued throughout the years. Last year we decided to reinstitute an all day event; this time the location was at what is known as the Spout Patch just west of town and owned by Jim and Gayle Boswell. It was a great success and we were reminded once again that we have much to learn from the past!

This year, again, we plan to continue this resurrected tradition, again at the Boswell property. We invite you all to join us for a festive 125^th Anniversary All Church All Day Sunday School Picnic. This summer’s date is scheduled to be Sunday, July 17. Again, you’all come!

Based on a review of the church’s earliest records, it was the intention of the founders of St. Peter’s to actually provide for a church school, a parochial school, for the church’s youth, and during those first years the church did support a school for the first eight grades. With the development of organized public education, that goal apparently soon faded. However, a full year of church school, nonetheless was encouraged and expected for children of confirmation age. That year of study focused largely on religious instruction but also provided elements of general education, as well. It was the responsibility of the pastor to be the school instructor.

The confirmation of the baptismal vows by the children themselves. made by their parents on their behalf as infants, following formal religious instruction, has always been a primary commitment of those churches that share a common religious tradition and understanding with St Peter’s, The Evangelical Church, and today, the United Church of Christ.

Since St Peter’s congregation was formally organized on June 20, 1880, a total of 630 individuals have made their profession of Christian faith through the Rite (or Ritual) of Confirmation, and, thereby have been accepted as members of this local church as well as Christ’s Church Universal.

Typically, the age of confirmation has been toward the end of elementary school and the beginning of high school years. This is a time when children begin to become young adults, both physically and mentally. This is an age when young people face more distinct moral choices, when their value systems become more clear and when they are more ready to make reasoned decisions about their lives. It is, therefore, a time for life-molding decisions about matters of faith.

In the Evangelical Catechism, which for many years was the primary source of confirmation instruction, the following summary is found:

.The act of confirmation is very old and has a sacred tradition. We trace its origins back the early church. Following confirmation and its attendant profession of faith, the benefits and obligations of full church membership were/are granted, including participation in the Lord’s Supper.

Our faith tradition challenges us to realize that being a committed Christian also requires actively making contemplated life choices that require thoughtful consideration, prayer and action. Confirmation, among other things, seeks to instill a broad and informed faith foundation and understanding on which to face life’s choices and circumstances.

There have more than 75 confirmation classes since the church’s beginnings. As you realize, we have not covered all of them in this pictorial presentation. It is our plan to prepare a special confirmation class CD for distribution at our planned anniversary event in the fall, which will include pictures of all the classes available and identifying all the members of those classes.

I would like to ask that all those present today who were among a confirmation class here at St. Peters over the years please stand. I would like to identify a member of the earliest confirmation class….

Pastor Doug Burwick is the twenty-third pastor to serve St. Peter’s Church since Pastor Hattendorf help found the congregation in 1880. Pastor Doug has served the church first in a part time capacity and later in a full time capacity for more than six years now. The tenure of some of these pastors has have been as brief as one years or as long as seventeen years. Each pastor has left an indelible mark on the congregation. The church’s second pastor, John Balzer, came to St. Peter’s as a young man and while here under his leadership the Sunday School program was established. Later in his life would become the Synod President of the larger church.

The Rev Albert Muecke was the pastor who led the church at the time of the construction of the new church.

The Rev. George Orlowsky was pastor during the time of the first world war, a very difficult time for many people of German background in this community as well as other communities throughout the United States, even though several sons of this congregation dutifully answered the call to serve were called to bear arms against the original homelands of their parents—and one—Carl Verch—made the ultimate sacrifice and was laid to rest in St. Peter’s Cemetery The same kind of sensitivities existed at the time of the Second World War, but time and the passing of the older generation of settlers and immigrants, many of whom had ongoing ties to their European homelands and the German language, had eased the problems sometime encountered between those of German and non-German background, not to mention the fact that many from this congregation were called to serve their nation and the cause of freedom during the Second World War.

There was a father/son combination in the ministry of the St. Peters, both many years ago. The Rev.Herman Pfundt served as pastor from 1994-1900.

His son, one of the children in the previous picture, Erich Pfunt, came back to serve the congregation from 1920-1924.

St Peter’s enjoyed its largest membership during the 1930’s and 40’s during the tenure of the Rev. Karl Baur. Pastor Baur also served as the Pastor of St. John’s Church in Verona as a second charge while serving here at St. Peter’s. This memorable picture was taken either at the time of or close to the time of Pastor Baur’s departure as pastor.

The Rev. Bob Cantrell, his wife Ruth and their family arrived just after a the parsonage was enlarged and modernized to welcome them. Pastor Cantrell’s ministry at St. Peter’s is remembered as a time of growth and reconciliation following a long period when the church was without a full time pastor.

These are but snapshots of the ministries of 8 of the 23 men and women who have served as pastor of this church over the past one and one fourth century. We will attempt to cover the ministries of all 23 in the Confirmation CD that we hope to produce for the Fall Anniversary Event

I must note the presence of a very special interim minister who served this church at a time of particular need, twice, in the church’s recent past. The Rev. Norman Rahmoeller, a member of St. John’s Chapel, and a son of the Hoberg Church, has endeared himself to us all! Welcome as well to Lois, his wife.

Over the years the ministry of St. Peter’s Church has touched the lives of many families and individuals within the local community and beyond. An examination of the church records from its earliest days we find that there have been more than 900 baptisms. There have been almost 250 weddings and almost 600 funerals, as well 630 confirmed into the Christian Faith.

Part of the legacy of St. Peter’s first 125 years and its ministry beyond its own walls, has been the distinction of having five sons of the congregation who have answered the call to professional ministry and have served the larger Church in other areas of the United States and the world beyond. These five men have also left an indelible mark on this congregation over the years, first having grown up here and having been nurtured here in their own faith pilgrimage, and then also their service to this congregation over the years and ongoing association.

The Rev John Schuch was the son of one of the church’s founders and his wife, Peter and Magdalena Schuch. John Schuch grew up in St. Peter’s Church and was member of the confirmation class of 1890. He later attended Eden Seminary and was ordained into the Christian ministry in 1901. He began his ministry in a church in Winesburg, Ohio. He was later the pastor of St. Peter’s Church in Washington, MO; he then followed his father-in-law as the pastor of St. Luke’s Church in St. Louis; and concluded his ministry in Immanuel Church in Holstein, MO. For many years he served on the board of the the Emmaus Home for the mental handicapped with facilities in both Marthasville and St. Charles, an institution founded by the Evangelical Church and still closely associated with the United Church of Christ today. John Schuch was the grandfather of Mary Burkhardt and the great uncle of Helen Tinsley.

The next two "sons," or "offprings" of the congregation have reached significant milestones in their ministries…

Fred Byer grew up in St. Peter’s Church, the son of John M. and Emma Krug Beyer. He was confirmed into the Christian faith in 1927. As a young person he served as the Sunday School Superintendent and a member of the church council. Fred graduated from Billings High School, Drury College and Eden Seminary. He was ordained into the ministry in 1944. Fred and Rayetta Cantrell were married in 1939 and celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary last year. They had two children, John Raymond Beyer and Judith Beyer Arnot.

Fred began his formal ministry with a two point charge with Evangelical and Reformed churches in Dittmer and Cedar Hill outside of St. Louis. In August of 1950, he was called as the pastor of St. Peter Church in Centralia and Zion Church in Central City, Illinois. In 1960 Fred became the pastor of St. John United Church of Christ in Chicago Heights, Illinois from which he retired from the active ministry in 1980. Throughout his ministry Fred was involved in a variety of denominational activities and served on many church and community related boards and organizations.

Fred always maintained close ties with the Billings community and when he retired he and Rayetta came back to the home on his family farm outside of Billings that they always returned during summer vacations. After returning home Fred played an active role in St Peter’s Church for many years, several times as interim pastor.

Last year Fred Beyer celebrated the 60^th anniversary of his ordination. During this 125^th anniversary of the church we honor the service of this son of the congregation.

Raymond Schultz was the only son born to Henry and Martha Venzlaff Schultz. He grew up on the family farm just west of Billings and was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Church. He was active in youth and Sunday School activities at St. Peter’s and would later marry a young lady with whom he attended Sunday School by the name of Ella Marie Rauch. Raymond graduated from Billings High School and was drafted into the army during WWII. After his army discharge, he graduated from Drury College and Eden Seminary. He was ordained into the Christian Ministry in 1954 in the church he was serving as a student just outside of Union, MO. Ray and Ella have been married for what will soon be 58 years. They are the parents of four sons, the eldest of whom, Lynn Ray, is also an ordained minister.

In addition to the two small churches he served as a seminary student, Ray served United Church of Christ churches in Jasper Indiana; Nashville, Illinois; Evansville, Indiana; and Wellington, MO; In semiretirement he served as the pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Springfield. During his ministry Ray was active in a host of denominational activities and community services. Later in full retirement Ray and Ella would return to his family farm in Billings to assist his aging mother and mentally handicapped sister, Lucille. During their years here they were active in the life of St. Peter’s congregation. Two years ago they and Ray’s mother—who will be 104 in September-- moved back to Evansville, Indiana, to be closer to their sons.

In 2004 Ray celebrated his 50^th ordination anniversary. It is with pride and appreciation that we also recognize this milestone in the life and ministry of this son of our congregation, as well.

Richard Schaefer grew up on a fruit and cattle farm between Billings and Marionville, the son of Arthur and Marie Bluebaum Schaefer. Richard was baptized in St. Peter’s congregation and one of two confirmands in the Class of 1967—along with Sharon Utke…Richard path to the ordained ministry was not as straight and focused as that as Ray and Freds. Originally he wanted to be a crop dusting pilot, he recently mentioned to me, however after Richard graduated from Marionville High School instead he pursued a degree in history at Drury College. Following his college graduation he taught history at Hillcrest High School in Springfield, as well as in Los Angeles CA. Later he enrolled in Southern Methodist University Seminary in Dallas. Richard was ordained into the ministry of the United Methodist Church. His entire ministry was spent in the Dallas area, first as an associate pastor of a very large church known as Lovers Leap UMC, then as an associate pastor at New World UMC in Garland, TX and then later as the pastor of New Covenant UMC in Sunnyvale, TX, It was from this church that Richard retired in 2001. Richard maintains the family home between Billings and Marionville, and spends his retirement between this area, the Dallas area and Santa Barbara, CA. Richard’s story is a very interesting one, and he hopes to be with us in October and share some of that with us.

Bob Schaefer grew up across the road from his first cousin Richard Schaefer, who happens to also be Bob’s second cousin.. Bob’s late father Leonard was also a orchard man. His mother, who lives today in CA with Bob’s sister, is Marie Rauch Schaefer. Bob was baptized in St. Peter’s and was a member of the confirmation class of 1960. Following his graduation from Marionville High School, Bob attended and graduated from John Brown University in Silome Springs, Ark. While at John Brown Bob met and married his wife Nancy. For the past three decades Bob and Nancy have been doing literacy and Bible translation work through the Wycliffe Bible Translators world wide organization. During their entire ministry they have been serving in the nation of Ghana.

Bob and Nancy have three children, the eldest of whom, Paul and his wife Jen, are also Wycliffe Bible Translators, also serving in Ghana. Bob and Nancy maintain the family home between Billings and Marionville and spend most of the Furloughs there. For many years now St. Peters as a congregation and several individuals within the church have been prayer partners and financial supporters of both Bob and Nancy and Paul and Jen work as Bible Translators.

We celebrate the ministry of these five "offspring" of St. Peters, all of whom, by the way of a point of interest, connect back with either the founding or the earliest members of the congregation.

St Peter’s Evangelical United Church of Christ has a rich heritage and an ongoing commitment to ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This 125 year heritage and that commitment to the future are worthy of recalling and celebrating.

In our current adult Sunday School Class we have been studying the writings of the Apostle Paul in his Letters to the

Galatians and Romans.

In the 12^th Chapter of Romans Paul he outlines his understanding of the Gospel’s call to us as individuals as well as the gathered community of the faithful. The specific lesson title is called "The Marks of the True Christian."

Here is what Paul says in Romans 12: 1-2, and 9-21…:

That was the challenge and the test of faith that the founders and others embraced 125 years ago when this church was founded. Again, as humans beings, they then and we who have followed through these past generations since, have heeded successfully Paul’s call sometimes, and sometimes they and we have not. In the midst of all the circumstances of life—throughout time—God calls us not to be perfect—for we know that we cannot be—but rather he calls us to be faithful, to be faithful and to be dedicated to His purposes as we are led to understand those purposes—again in our time and our circumstances.

Paul tells us that if we run the good race of faith, that now and later we will be distinguished as Saints, a distinction we cannot boast of having earned, but rather, a distinction that we have been gifted by a loving and redeeming God. As we look back these past 125 years we give God thanks for the saints of faith that have come before us and have helped show us the way by the example of their faithfulness..that we too may be among the saints when they come marching in. The St Peter’s choir, under the able direction of our director, Linda Burwick, accompanied by, of course, Erna Lou Kastendieck, and with the assistance of one of our youth, Kendall Simones, will sing about that in just a few moments.

As the choir members come forward, let me again say how pleased that we are that you have chosen to join us in this special celebration today. Please note that we have two more special events scheduled for this anniversary year to which we welcome all to attend. On July 17, we will have our all church, all day picnic, including morning worship at what is known as the Sprout Patch, just west of town; and then on October 31, will be a confirmation reunion/ congregational rededication for the next 125 years. And do not forget, if you would like to reserve one of the 125^th Anniversary Cook Books, please sign the sheet in the narthex.

After the Pastor’s benediction, following the choir anthem, we invite and encourage you to stay around and visit and take a look at the documents found in the time capsule, and Harry Kloppenburg’s model of Old Billings, all on display in the front part of the sanctuary.

Pictures that accompany this information will be added soon.

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