Jerusalem Lutheran Church marking 200th year

RICH HISTORY

By LINDA M. LINONIS

religion@vindy.com

COLUMBIANA

The presence of Jerusalem Lutheran Church stretches back 200 years in the village in Columbiana County.

One of its members, Clarence Wilhelm, who will be 100 in November, remembers his parents taking him by horse and buggy to the church to be baptized.

Recently, the Rev. Sean Myers, pastor; Katherine Wolfe, chairwoman of the 200th anniversary committee; Rachel Kuhlman, member and church secretary; Peggy Oberholtzer, president of the Women’s Board; and Camille Nulf, 90, a lifetime member, discussed the church and its activities. The anniversary will be celebrated Oct. 18.

“The church has a rich history of being involved in the community,” Oberholtzer said. Various activities by church groups benefit the community at large.

Pastor Myers said Jerusalem Lutheran Church Preschool was founded in 1980 and has been a project of the church since then. It is geared to 3- and 4-year-olds and currently 24 children are enrolled. “We consider it a ministry of the church,” the pastor said of the program that helps children “grow socially, intellectually, physically and emotionally.”

The Quilting Ladies is a group of about 10 women who quilt at home and at the church. The quilts go to people in need locally to worldwide through Lutheran World Relief.

Oberholtzer said the church also assembles personal-care kits that include a towel, soap, toothbrush and paste, which are shipped worldwide. She continued that Christian Stitchers make prayer shawls. The shawls go to church and community members who are ill. “We pray for the recipients,” Pastor Myers said.

Wolfe added that the Christian Stitchers also knit and crochet hats, scarves and mittens that are distributed in the community to those who need them.

The church also supports Oasis Food Bank based at First Christian Church, the Salvation Army, Way Station and the Banquet in Salem. Along with donations, the church also prays for the organizations and their workers and recipients of services. The pastor noted the church also provides a place in the parking lot for a St. Pauly Used Clothing Drop-off Shed to collect clothing, shoes, sneakers, belts, purses, linens, blankets and drapes that it distributes in the United States and in developing countries.

“We also have a very active prayer chain for church members and the community,” Oberholtzer said. She explained people may call the church office (330-482-2136) to place a name or need. “We actually have two prayer chains,” she said, adding that when people call to thank the church for prayers it is especially gratifying, though it’s not expected. “People have called to tell us they felt the power of our prayers,” she said.

Nulf said she participates in a prayer chain. “I really believe in the power of prayer,” she said. “It’s something I can do to contribute. God has still blessed me with my mind and mouth.”

Oberholtzer said there also are two Bible study groups. The study comes from The Gather, a publication of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which serves as the guide. There also are adult and children’s Sunday school classses, which take place between services at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m.

Kuhlman said the church still has records from its early years; some information is challenging to understand, and some is written in German. Oberholtzer added that the church has produced members who became involved in ministry in various ways with seven women as pastor’s wives, four men ordained, one seminarian, a parish worker and an associate in ministry. “It’s nice to know how they are involved,” she said. Pastor Myers said Jerusalem is involved in joint confirmation classes with other Lutheran churches, but each church has its own confirmation ceremony.

Ladies Night Out is a social group that promotes fellowship among women, Wolfe said. “It helps us get to know one another and make contact with other members.”

The pastor, who has served Jerusalem for four years as his first call, said the congregation is “very caring” and that quality is “one of its strengths.”

Oberholtzer described members as “close,” noting she derives strength from her faith and church family.

“It’s a friendly church where people greet you,” Kuhlman said.

“People are always willing to help one another,” Wolfe said, adding her family received unexpected assistance when they were building their home.

The sanctuary is highlighted by stained glass windows including a round one above the beautifully wood-carved altar with spires and relief of the Last Supper. There also is a military altar remembering those serving. A Peace Garden is a place for prayer and reflection and is maintained by church members.