Anniversary Moments - Did You Know...

December:  Did you know… Christmas has always been an extremely special time in the life of Hope Lutheran. Christmas Eve candlelight services have always been a highlight. Lighting one worshipper’s candle in the start of each pew and having each participant light the next person’s candle is a beautiful tribute to Jesus, the Light of the World. With all other lights extinguished, the congregation sings Silent Night by candlelight. In 2021 pew candles were added to enhance the Sanctuary during the Christmas Eve service. During Covid many churches were not able to have a Christmas Eve service but Hope prevailed by having two services that evening and accommodating worshipers with social distance spacing in the pews. Unfortunately, a huge blizzard cancelled Christmas services in December 2022.

November:   Did you know… The current property on which Hope Lutheran Church stands was obtained through a land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service. In order to acquire the property an equivalent amount of land value had to be exchanged. One section of land exchange was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ehlert of Watersmeet, MI and two additional sections of land were donated by Mr. Christensen of Phelps, WI. The land exchange was approved by the US Forest Service in April of 1956.

October:   Did you know… Hope Lutheran Church held its first worship service in the basement of the Land O Lakes Town Hall on October 15, 1950.   Sixteen people were in attendance, and the service was officiated by Pastor Paul Natzke.  Services were held in the town hall until 1959 when the current sanctuary was built.  Current member Luanne Gregas and frequent visitor Tom Kind were among those who worshipped in the original setting and still worship at Hope today. In addition, Mark Pflughoeft shared that he also remembers worshipping in the town hall.

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