ADOPTED - APRIL 27, 1999

Agenda Item No. 6

Introduced by:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION HONORING THE BETHLEHEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH ON THEIR 75^TH ANNIVERSARY

RESOLUTION #99-92

WHEREAS, on August 10, 1924, sixty German American Christians gathered and worshiped for the first time as a group; and

WHEREAS, on September 23, 1924, this group of people organized Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church and became "charter members" of the congregation; and

WHEREAS, after an austere beginning, meeting and worshiping in people's homes, the congregation moved into a small, prefabricated chapel, which was constructed on this site by the church members and put into use on December 13, 1924; and

WHEREAS the congregation continued to grow in size, as well as in its ministry and programs; and

WHEREAS, the chapel was enlarged in 1931 and in 1951 a new sanctuary which is still in use today, was constructed; and

WHEREAS, from small beginnings, Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church has developed a vibrant ministry of the Gospel, serving and reaching out to residents of the community; and

WHEREAS, the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church will be celebrating its 75^th Anniversary this year.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby honor the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church on the event of their 75^th Anniversary and for the contributions they have made to the community.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board wishes them continued success for many years to come.

Virgil Bernero Jean M. McDonald Alfreda Schmidt

John Czarnecki Thomas Minter Michael Severino

Mark Grebner Paul C. Pratt Anne Smiley

Wallace Juall Randy Schafer Mary Stid

Calvin Lynch