Welcome to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

David C. Newhart, Interim Pastor

2115 Washington Blvd.
Easton, PA 18042
Office: 610-258-0081

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FOREWORD

May 20, 2002 marked the One Hundredth Anniversary of the organization of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Easton, Pennsylvania.

Observing this significant occasion gives us an opportunity to pause, to look back, to realize that Good Shepherd has been “Blessed by Christfor a Purpose,” and then with courage and confidence to stride “Forward with Faith in Jesus” to spread the Gospel of the Lord.

One hundred years is a long time in the history of an individual, but it is short in God’s providence. The accomplishments of Good Shepherd -- an increasing influence in the community, an increasing outward reach to meet changing World conditions, and a meeting of the needs of the congregation, — all portend a great future.

It would be impossible to recognize all the contributions of time and talent made by the individuals who have so devotedly furthered the Gospel this past century. Let us rejoice in the interest and loyalty of all.

CHRONOLOGY OF GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH

1895 -- 1902 -- 1912

1895 - Lutheran-Reformed worshiped at Franklin School (now Long’s Plumbing) 23rd & Butler Sts., Palmer Township.

1897 - Reformed Church withdrew (now Memorial United Church of Christ). Lutherans appealed for help to all Easton Lutheran churches. St. John’s responded.

1901 - First pastor was The Reverend Paul Strodach, who as St. John’s assistant pastor, was assigned to serve the fledgling group.

1902 - May 20 - Formally organized; chose name: THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

June 12 - Constitution signed by 61 members and first Council elected: Lame L. Reed, Frank Liebeman, H. L. Bowers, E. A. Yeager, 0. Rice, James W. Walter. William A. Stout was elected by Council to represent the Congregation on the board of Trustees.

Oct. 14 - Broke ground at 20th Street and Hay Terrace following granting of 1902 Corporate Charter by the Northampton County Court. (Land purchased by St. John’s as a gift to Good Shepherd.)

1903 - May 20 - Dedicated completed chapel. Cost: $3,670, of which $2,670 was paid by St. John’s. Pedal-pump organ donated by Harry Hester’s grandfather as a gift to Good Shepherd. Bertha Shade was the first organist.

1905 - November 1 - The Reverend Strodach completed his service.

1906 - 1907 - January 1, 1906 — July 1, 1907 - The Reverend Jonathan A. Klick served.

1908 January 1 to January 1, 1920 - The Reverend L. L. Trump served. Membership 300.

1912 - First vested choir.

1913 -- 1922

1920 - May 2 - - July 31, 1922 - The Reverend A. H. Steinhauer served. The chapel was raised, which provided rooms for Sunday Church School & Social Hall in the basement.

1922 - March 15 - Purchased Moeller Pipe Organ ($2,600). Membership 346.

1923 -- 1932

1923 - January 15 - Call extended to The Reverend Charles S. Rahn whose ministry ended with his death on March 5, 1950.

July to February 1, 1924 - Parsonage was built as a project of the Ladies Aid Society at a cost of $13,000.

1927 - May - Celebration of 25th Anniversary. The Reverend E. P. Pfatteicher, D.D. President of the Ministerium, was speaker. Publication of the “Herald.”

1933 -- 1942

1936 - Enlargement of Sunday Church School room in basement addition of choir room and kitchen (22’ x 70’), exterior painting and interior decorating at a cost of $13,887. It took eleven years to pay by the use of Pence cans. Membership nearing 400.

1936 - Jan 12 - Service of rededication. The Rev. Strodach, speaker. Dedication of “Christ the Good Shepherd” picture which was a gift of Daniel Kohler and his daughter, Martha Kohier Finken, as a memorial to Lizzie Stout Kohier, wife and mother.

June - Men’s club, Brotherhood (100 attendance) had its first Strawberry and Lawn Social. The Ladies Aid Society was organized soon after the founding. The Missionary Society and Mothers’ Club were formed later.

1942 - October 4 - 11 - 40th Anniversary celebrated. The Reverend Carson Snyder, D.D. speaker. The Honorable James F. Henninger of Allentown, President Judge of Lehigh County Courts, speaker at Anniversary Banquet. Anniversary project raised funds for purchase and installation of new furnace.

1943 -- 1952

1946 - May 12 - Dedicated the Memorial Bell and Tower in honor of 95 sons and daughters of Good Shepherd who served in armed forces World War II.

1947 - January 19 - Burning of mortgage (Mr. & Mrs. Howard Bowers, Mrs. Charles Bissey, and Mrs. James Walters). Now debt-free. However, continued use of Pence Cans, looking forward to a Greater Good Shepherd.

1948 - January 11 - Celebrated 25 years of pastorate of The Reverend Charles S. Rahn. May - The Reverend Rahn’s 50th year of ordination.

1949 - April 3 - Passion Sunday dedications: Altar by Flora Rahn in memory of her mother. Superfrontal by Mrs. George Heller and daughters in memory of George Heller. Cross by Mrs. Charles Bissey in memory of her husband. Altar candles by Mrs. Willard Brewen and children in memory of Willard Brewen. Altar desk by Luther Teen Class. Dossal by Ladies Bible Class. Dossal Red Crosses by Mrs. James Walter and son in memory of James W. Walter.

1950 - March 5 - Death of The Reverend Charles S. Rahn. March to August 31 - The Reverend Philip Pearson, Supply Pastor. Parsonage renovated September 24 - The Reverend Glenn G. Neubauer installed.

1951 - January 21 - Four offering plates and Alms Basin presented by Flora Rahn in memory of her parents. Building Study Committee appointed. First three hour Lenten Community Service on Good Friday. First Thanksgiving Day Service. First Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

October - First Shepherd published: Editors Richard Shelling, Ruth Whitenight.

1952 - January - Study Committee recommended appointment of Building Committee. Approved. Building Fund Campaign began — Goal $100,000. March - Ladies Bible Class merged with Ladies Aid to form Women’s Guild. Mother’s Club organized. May - 50th Anniversary. 770 Confirmed members.

1953 -- 1962

1953 - May - First Mother-Daughter Banquet.

1955 - Missionary Society became The United Lutheran Church Women, Mantana Fisher, President. Dedication of ground on Washington Boulevard at 22 nd Street.

1958 - January 15 - Unification of women’s organizations and circles formed.

December 14 - Ground-breaking for Greater Good Shepherd.

1959 - November 1 - Laying of cornerstone - Dr. Charles Cooper.

December 3 - First Christmas Ingathering at Zion Lutheran, Fifth St.

1960 - May 1 - Dedication of Greater Good Shepherd. December 24 - First Candlelight Service in present church.

1963 - 1972

1964 - December - Paper Chrismons first used on SCS Primary Department tree.

1965 - October - Mortgage burning. Dedication of ground for Christian Education Wing. December - First use of Chrismons on trees in Sanctuary.

1966 - April - Ground-breaking for Christian Education Wing.

1967 - May 7 - Dedication of Christian Education Wing.

1969 - September 21 to December 31, 1972 - Joyce Klick, first Assistant Pastor.

1970 Prayer chain instituted.

1971 - April - Installation and dedication of Carillon.

Began delivering Meals-On-Wheels.

1972 - Began participation in Miller Blood Bank.

January - Baptized membership 1,648 including 391 children.

May 6 - 70th Anniversary.

September 17 to July 31, 1978 - Donald Stricker, Assistant Pastor.

1973 -- 1982

1974 - May 22 - Ordination of Randy Neubauer and Willard Uhler, Sons of the congregation. September - Purchase of second parsonage 2010 Hillcrest Drive.

1975 - Good Shepherd began Gracedale ministry under Lutheran Services.

1976 - October 3 - Doug Seidel, son of the congregation was ordained Baptist.

1977 - Began tape ministry. May - 75th Anniversary — Presentation of pageant “To God Be The Glory, “written by Anna Yeager and Marilyn Schoenborn. Publication of first Pictorial Directory.

1978 - May - Began program of greeters and participation in the Ecumenical Food Bank. October 29 - Dedication of new choir gowns.

1979 - May 20 to December 1, 1983 - Pastor Edith Roberts served as Assistant Pastor.

1980 - July - Ordination of David Gerber, son of the congregation. September -Celebrated the 200th Anniversary of the founding of the Sunday Church School by Robert Raikes, Gloucester, England 1780.

1981 - March 7 - Dedication of courtyard cross, on which was hung a metal sculpture of Christ designed by Charles Melick, Jr. and fabricated by Bruce Walter and Herman Cope. September - Honored Hannah Miller for 25 years as Church Secretary.

1982 - September - Opened Nursery School.

1983 -- 1992

1984 - January - Hannah Miller retired as Church Secretary after 28 years. June - Pastor Keith Rohrbach called as Assistant Pastor; Resigned November 1985. December 31 - Membership, 1230 Baptized.

1985 - Pastor Neubauer retired after 35 years. Interim pastor -Pastor Joseph Slusser. Weekly painting classes began, teacher Joyce Rymond Powell.

1986 - September 21 - Pastor Curtis Olson called. Senior Fellowship group formed.

1987 - May 19 _ Pastor Neubauer named Pastor Emeritus. October 16 - Celebration of 85th Anniversary. October 4 -- September 1993 - Pastor Timothy Seitz-Brown, Assistant Pastor.

1988 - Sanctuary red carpet installed. July 1 - A. H. Andersen retired as Church Treasurer after 30 Years. Publication of second Pictorial Directory.

1989 - Purchased new Allen organ in April.

1990 - Safe Harbor added to Outreach.

1991 - Sponsored Vietnamese refugee family. Renovations to Narthex & Courtyard.

1992 - 90th Anniversary - Third Pictorial Directory published.

1993 -- 2002

1993 - February 8 - Death of Paul Wolper, Organist & Choir Director for 35 years.

March - Hired Thomas Snuggs, Organist and Choir Director. Purchased second parsonage at 2226 Fairview Ave. Wilson Borough, from Pastor and Mrs. Seitz-Brown

1994 Call to Pastor Elizabeth Langenseipen, Assistant Pastor. Installation of security fire alarm system.

1996 - Adopted “With One Voice” as hymnal supplement. August 1 - Called Pastor Debra Ernst as Assistant Pastor, installed August 25. Membership; 1209 Baptized, 701 Confirmed. October - - Brotherhood disbanded.

1997 - June - Started weekly advertisement in Express-Times; greeting cards for visitors; renovations to 22nd Street entrance; ramp installed. September - Sound system dedicated. October 19 - 95th Anniversary - Joint service with Memorial UCC. Memorial planted maple tree on Good Shepherd property and one on their own property for their 100th Anniversary. Fourth Pictorial Directory. December - Membership; 1164 Baptized, 701 Confirmed

1998 - January - Pastor Olson retired. April 16 - Pastor Raymond Hittinger, began his service of Interim Pastorate and concluded it June 30, 1999. Ash Wednesday, first imposition of Ashes. July 11 - - First Saturday Evening Service. August - Visit by Pastor and Mrs. Kuck, missionaries. October - Senior Fellowship disbanded. First Advent Devotional Booklet written by Good Shepherd members. December 20 - First Hanging of the Greens ceremony. Membership; 1133 Baptized, 602 Confirmed.

1999 January - Holy Communion begun at weekly Saturday evening and Sunday services. March - Adoption of Vision and Mission statements. Kay Muehlberger hired as Nursery School Director. June 30 - Thomas Snuggs, Organist resigned. Pastor Hittinger’s duties concluded. August - Debra Ernst left to answer a call. October 3 - Call extended to Pastor Bruce MacLaughlin. November 7 - Hired interim organist, Neil Criste-Troutman. November 26 - Sale of second parsonage 2226 Fairview Ave. Advent Home Fellowships introduced. Dishwasher installed. Membership, 1,057 Baptized; 533 Confirmed.

2000 - January 9 - Lay Eucharistic Ministry officially began. February 6 - Installation of Pastor Bruce MacLaughlin. August 6 - Ann Hockin, hired as Church Organist and Director of Music. August 10 - Conducted service at Church of God by Faith. August 27 - Air conditioning contract awarded to Hannabery HVAC. October - First WIELCA Pizza sale - Lutheran Brotherhood gave matching funds. November 19 - Participated in Interfaith Thanksgiving Jubilee at B’nai Abraham Synagogue. December 31 _ Membership, 1,026 Baptized, 501 Confirmed.

2001 - Robert Hester hired as Director of Family Ministries. Youth program becoming active, participated in Easton Cluster events; sponsored Annual Movie Night in Fellowship Hall; sang Christmas carols at Eastwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. February 25 - Participated in Easton Cluster Choir Festival at St. Paul’s III. March 12 - Wagner College Choir Concert. April - Shepherd’s Choir formed. July - Participated in funding the H. George Anderson for Leadership Chair at Lutheran Theology Seminary, Philadelphia. September 11 - Responded to Terrorism at Twin Towers, NYC and Pentagon in Washington D.C. through Lutheran Disaster Fund. September 19 - Start of First Alpha class. September 23 - The Noah’s Ark entry in the Northampton County’s 250th Founders Day Parade. Announced Good Shepherd Lutheran Church’s 100 th celebration in 2002 “Forward With Faith In Jesus.” November - Ride network established for those needing transportation. December - Advent booklet written by parishioners continues. Two Christmas Eve services were eventful. Pastor Bruce asked each one to commit to let his/her light shine and bring back the candle to the January 6th service.

2002

“BLESSED BY CHRIST FOR A PURPOSE” Is the Mission statement and “FOR WARD WITH FAITH IN JESUS” the theme adopted for Good Shepherd’s commitment through its 100th anniversary year and into the next century.

What’s next for Good Shepherd? What does the future have in store?

Somewhere I picked up a phrase, “If there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present.” Martin Luther, when asked what he would do if he knew the world was going to end the next day, replied, “I’d go plant a tree.”

St. Paul wrote in the Letter to the Philippians: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) William Barclay comments: “Paul is saying that he is not by any means a complete Christian but is forever pressing on. He says he is trying to grasp that for which he has been grasped by Christ. Every person is grasped by Christ for some purpose. Paul is insisting that to the end of the day the Christian life is the life of an athlete pressing onwards to a goal which is always in front.” (“The Daily Study Bible Series...” William Barclay)

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd has been blessed by God for a purpose and that very purpose is to have faith in Christ Jesus. And so we move forward in faith in Christ who leads the way. What lies ahead? Who knows? We can not predict what the future will be like. What matters is that we keep forging ahead, striving to be all that God wants us to be. After all, Christ Jesus will be with us. Faith “is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

(Hebrews 11:1)

“Blessed by Christ for a Purpose”

“Forward with Faith in Jesus”

Pastor Bruce

“Forward with Faith in Jesus”
(Tune: “Joyful, Joyful. . .“ ; Text: Anna Yeager)

Through these hundred years you’ve blessed us,
By your Spirit we’ve been led.
From your Word our hearts were strengthened.
At your altar we’ve been fed.
Help us now to share your message.
Keep our vision ever new.
There is much for us to conquer.
Make us steadfast, bold for you.
As we march into the future
Gird us with your armor, Lord,
That your power will go before us
Keeping us in one accord.
Trusting always in our Captain
Who has brought us to this day,
With the shield of faith to guard us
Peace with prayer will light our way.
You have blessed us for a purpose
Lord, please help us now to find
What your will and hopes are for us,
What it is you have in mind.
May our lives show forth your Gospel.
Make us restless, Lord, for you.
You have blessed us for a purpose,

To that purpose keep us true.

November 1, 2009 - All Saints, 50th Anniversary Sunday

Isaiah 25:6-9
Isaiah sees a vision of the end of days, when the Lord will gather all God’s people on God’s holy mountain and will prepare for them a rich feast. At this banquet the Lord will wipe the tears from all eyes. And there will be no more sorrow, for God will destroy death itself.

Revelation 21:1-6a
Here is a vision of the new heaven and new earth in which God resides fully with God’s people so that mourning, despair, and pain have been eradicated. These renewing words from the God who spans all of time are trustworthy and true.

John 11:32-44
Through the rising of Lazarus, Jesus offers the world a vision of the life to come, when death and weeping will be no more.

Sermon
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart honor Jesus and be to true God’s living word. And may the deeds of the day and the truth we live today Speak of God in Christ Jesus. Amen

50 years ago, in 1959 the unemployment problems eased to 5.5%. Television programs included "Rawhide", "Bonanza" and "The Twilight Zone", movies included "Some Like it Hot", "Ben Hur" and "North by Northwest". Alaska is admitted to the union and became the 49th state and Hawaii was admitted to the Union and became the 50th State.
The Boeing 707 Jet Airliner comes into service and little girls love the Barbie Dolls made by Mattel. Fidel Castro comes to power in Cuba. A chartered plane transporting musicians Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper goes down in an Iowa snowstorm, killing all four occupants on board. The tragedy is later termed "The Day the Music Died," popularized in Don McLean's song, "American Pie." A new cat food takes mess and bother out of feeding as Little Friskies introduces boxed cat food.

Picture a man heaving a stone into a placid pond, the splash setting off an ever-widening chain of waves. Fifty years ago, Pope John XXIII unleashed such a wave of change in the still -- some would say stagnant -- waters of the Roman Catholic Church when he called for a worldwide council of bishops to reform their ancient institution. …less than three months after becoming pope – Pope John XXIII proclaimed it was time to drag the church out of the Dark Ages and into the modern world. It was time, he said, to open the stained-glass windows and let in some fresh air.

50 years ago my family and I returned to West Chester, PA after living in England for 2 ½ years. I was entering 4th grade and although I had attended 1st grade at Paoli Pike, after going through Bush Park School for 2nd and 3rd grade, Paoli Pike and the students there were new to me. I was walking into strange territory and an unknown future.

50 years ago Pr. Neubauer along with members of Good Shepherd laid the corner stone for this sanctuary. But the ground work for the laying of that cornerstone began several years earlier.

In 1952, 7 years before the laying of the corner stone, Good Shepherd’s 50th anniversary, Pr. Neubauer wrote: “In Fifty Years…Good Shepherd has grown from 65 to 770 members…all facilities are extremely overcrowded.

Pr. Neubauer goes on to write: “For years the members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church have dreamed about a new Church and adequate room for our Sunday School and parish program. In the past as necessity arose facilities were enlarged. Today our walls are again bulging. We must build if we wish to serve.

“A Building Study Committee appointed at our 1950 Congregational Meeting reported our desperate need for more room now. In response to their recommendations the congregation authorized the appointment of a Building Committee and approved in January 1952 a campaign to raise a $100,000 Building Fund.” To put that in prospective, our recent steeple project cost approximately $120,000.

But the dream to build onto the existing church at 20th and Hay Terrace was not realized.

The vision of Good Shepherd grew. “…the real life of this church is none other than the spirit of the Living God. It is He who has enlarged our vision; it is He that shall prompt our sacrifice, and it is to Him with glory, laud, and honor that we shall dedicate our new sanctuary.” Wrote Pr. Neubauer in 1955.

“This is the Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for most of our members to have a part in a church building enterprise. This is our day of opportunity…our day of Christian responsibility.”

“This is the vision of what Good Shepherd Lutheran will be in the near future with your help.

“In light of present day costs for labor and materials, it will cost $300,000 to construct and furnish the Church and Sunday School-Fellowship Hall. We have $50,000 in assets in our Building Fund at the present time. Other assets include our present Church property and the new site at 22nd and Washington Blvd. We must borrow, if necessary, $100,000. This leaves us with $150,000 which must be raised through sacrificial giving of the members and friends of Good Shepherd.

“Perhaps only a vivid imagination, back in 1902, could have foreseen the growth and the good work that would be accomplished in 53 years by our church. The original chapel was built at a cost of $3,670. In 1920 it was raised and a basement Sunday School room was constructed. More room was needed in 1936 when the building was expanded again.”

Pr. Neubauer wrote: “The members of Good Shepherd have long realized that a new Church must be built. The hour of opportunity is at hand. After six years of prayers and plans, the new Good Shepherd Church is within our grasp. Churches are made of brick, wood, steel, and stone, but even more, they are built in hearts and minds and deeds dedicated to the Christian Faith.

“We believe our people are eager to see the tall stately spire with the cross as the emblem of our abiding faith rise above our beautiful new Good Shepherd Church.”

50 years ago these 3 women were reunited when our family returned from England. For 2 ½ years they had not seen each other. Family ties and refreshing family traditions were renewed.

Grace at 67 years old was watching grandchildren growing up and going off to college, anticipating turning the chicken farm over to her son and retiring.

Hazel at 45 years old and her husband Bernard were developing a thriving turkey farm in Honesdale, PA and raising their only son.

Ruth at age 47 years old and her husband Walter were sending their son Scott off to Thiel College and reentering the West Chester, PA community .

These three women have since entered the Church Triumphant, the Church eternal, life everlasting. Joined by many of the people who had the vision and commitment to provide this structure for us and future generations.

Today we celebrate by remembering the laying of the corner stone for this sanctuary but also remembering those of our loved ones who have died and entered God’s eternal sanctuary: mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbors. These people we no longer walk with upon this earth have been reunited with those who have gone before them. We remember their accomplishments, the lives they built for themselves and us.

“In our worship today we reach out across time to hold hands with Mary and Martha in their encounter with death, and at the same time we grasp the hands of one another as God continues to knits us together into the one beautiful body of Christ Jesus. With clasped hands, we, like Lazarus and his sisters, are called out from the shadow of death and tears into resurrection life.” [“Sundays and Seasons, Year B 2009” p305]

Amen