LUTHERANS MARK 100 YEARS

GORDONVILLE -- Some things have changed at Christ Lutheran Church over the past century, but the word of God and teachings of the Lutheran congregation have remained true, its pastor says.

The Rev. Lee Cullen admits times have changed from the days when members sat by gender for worship or when the majority of members came from farming families.

The church, however, continues to apply the unchanging word of God to life for the people in its congregation. Cullen said, "Obviously the congregation is looking to and striving to relate God's word to the lives of people."

As the community makeup changes from a predominantly rural, farming area to a larger city, the needs of Christ Lutheran Church also change.

But Cullen expects the church to respond to those needs. Members' faith is vibrant and their hospitality abounds. He said, "It's not unusual for visitors to have a swarm of members surround" them after a service to welcome them to the church.

As the church celebrates it 100th anniversary this weekend, it will welcome back one of its own for the special worship service. Sunday was chosen as the closest date to the church's original founding and construction in 1899.

Dr. David Ludwig and his wife, Kathy, will attend a celebration worship service at 10 a.m. Sunday. Ludwig is the son of a former minister at the church and also filled the pulpit as an interim pastor while in seminary.

The thrust of his work is related to family ministry. He is a professor of psychology at Lenior Rhyne University in North Carolina and also maintains a private practice.

Kathy Ludwig is known for her work with the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She served on the international board of directors from 1994 to 1998.

Barbara Lorberg, a member of Christ Lutheran Church, recalls that the women of Christ Lutheran were important in the church's history. She has been culling information from church records for a history of the congregation, which should be complete later this year.

The women first began the church's annual supper, which benefits programs at the church, and they donated money for the church's pipe organ. "It's not just one gift but continuous," she said.

Much of the church's early history was written in German, the native language of its first congregants. The church was started so sermons would be preached in English, not just German as was done at nearby churches in the county.

Members of Zion Lutheran Church, a short distance outside Gordonville, helped start the Christ Lutheran congregation. Zion's pastor at the time of founding even preached at the dedication service.