University Lutheran Chapel of Hope Celebrates 40 y

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., Sept. 21, 2011- This year marks the 40th anniversary of the dedication of the University Lutheran Chapel of Hope and a special service marking the milestone will be held on Sunday, October 21, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. "The anniversary service will include pastors who have served or currently serve the Chapel as well as special guest pastor, David L. Bahn," says Rev. Wayne Schwiesow, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Gordonville, Mo., St. Paul Lutheran Church, Chaffee, MO. and the pastor currently serving the Chapel of Hope. Bahn, senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas is originally from Cape Girardeau, having received his primary and secondary education in Cape and graduated in 1974 from Southeast Missouri State University. Bahn was confirmed and married at the University Lutheran Chapel of Hope. He earned a M.Div. from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN., and a D.Min. from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA. He returned to Cape Girardeau's Southeast campus was ordained at the University Lutheran Chapel of Hope.

The building at the corner of Pacific and College Hill streets was dedicated on September 10, 1972 and although 40 years have passed since that dedication, Lutheran students have been a part of this mission since the 1920s when Lutheran students regularly met with the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. In 1946, Lutheran students became affiliated with Gamma Delta, an international organization for Lutheran students and the ministry continued with guidance and supervision from the pastors at Trinity and St. Andrew Lutheran Churches. Two older houses at the southwest corner of Pacific and College Hill Streets served as facilities. Worship services were conducted in the house at 903 College Hill and recreational activities in the house at 909 College Hill. In the mid-1960's, the Board of Missions of the Missouri District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod expanded the ministry at the University and in July 1967, the Rev. Robert E. Lange accepted a Divine Call to the Chapel of Hope as full-time campus minister. During the years, the campus ministry continued in various forms with full-time pastors, vicars, a retired pastor, and currently with a dual leadership of a part-time parish pastor and a lay Campus Ministry Coordinator. Worship services with Holy Communion are held weekly on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Bible study at noon on Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters when classes are in session.

Choral selections and instrumental music during the anniversary service will be under the direction of Mr. Matt Palisch, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Jackson, MO., with organ music provided by Mr. Palisch and Josh Merlenbach.

The community is invited to attend the 1:30 p.m. service on the 21st. Parking is available near the Chapel, in adjacent parking lots and curbside on Watkins and North Streets.