On October 6, 2019 Gloria Dei Lutheran Church celebrated the 50^th year of our church construction. Arne Henderson was the Master of Ceremonies and shared many of his memories. With a raise of hands we found several members have been with Gloria Dei for 50 years and over.

Maija Stadius presented a reflection of our congregation and historical facts. Several people got up and shared their memories as well as Maija reading a collection of memories we had collected weekly from our church members.

The corner stone was opened by Bruce Ragusett, Dave Wiitanen and Wayne Stordahl. Imagine both Dave and Wayne helped 50 years ago. Wayne on the construction committee and David on the property committee. Before the ceremony we celebrated the day with a pasty dinner, salads and cake.

The committee of organizers and helpers included: Wayne Stordahl, Maija Stadius, Shari Stockero, Chris Ahola, Carole Ahola, David Hughes, Neil Ahola, Karen Harris, Hazel Tepsa, Shelby Hamar, Lennon Mattila Hughes, Eileen Stordahl, Bruce Raggusett, Dave Wiitanen and many volunteers who helped in the kitchen for cleanup.

All in all it was a fun event and we will leave the pictures up from the past and set the time capsule contents in the bookcase in the Narthex for a time. A new time capsule will be prepared, the “old capsule” will be marked clearly and stored with our church records in the back of the fellowship hall with our other pictures and records.

The one thing apparent after inventorying our capsule is that the way we do things may change bur out God is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are amazing and through his amazing grace we are saved. People come and people go, but the Lord is the beginning and the end!

Respectfully submitted,

Lennon Mattila Hughes