The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
At left, Rev. Dr. Gary W. Wollersheim, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church In America; Pastor Jim Olsen, newly installed pastor of the Raritan Reformed and the Stronghurst Bethel Lutheran churches, and Albert Vander Meer, Synod Minister of Mid-America Reformed Church In America.
These leaders of the two denominations came to Stronghurst Sunday to conduct the installation services for a first ever joint agreement between a Lutheran congregation and a Reformed Church In America.
Pastor Olsen has been serving as Pastor for the Raritan Church for seven years and four years at the Lutheran Church before he was called to be full-time pastor of both churches. According to Bishop Wollersheim, the Lutherans have 5.5 million members in the USA, 65 million in the world. The Reformed is much smaller in membership.
The Bishop said that both Luther and Calvin would be pleased to see the joining of these denominations.
Pastor Jim Olsen is now fully commissioned to serve both the Stronghurst Bethel Lutheran and the Raritan Reformed Church.
Taking part in the installation service was hosts: Donna Lefler and Christi Fleece; Acolyte: Eric Hilligoss, Organist Grace McCrery, Special Music, Joanne Hilligoss; Usher Captains: James Peterson and Leon Johnson; Chair of the Call Committee: David Gerst; At The Baptismal Font: Ben Cox; Presenting The Bible: Sarah McCrery; Presenting the Chalice and Paten: Carol Myers.
Bishop Gary Wollersheim of the Northern Illinois Synod of Lutherans, welcomed all who joined in this unique celebration commending the congregations for their "creativeness and courage" to enter into this relationship.
"We are thankful for Pastor Jim Olsen's faith and persistence," he said, and "mostly we give God thanks and praise."
The Bishop said, "I am sure, that God, who has begun this good work in you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ"
He reminded that Rev. Olsen has been Called by God to be an Apostle. He said, "We are empty without God. There is a void in our lives when we don't have a purpose."
"God calls each of us:: Let your light so shine before others that they see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven," he said. "We are Called to witness to God in word and deed in our daily lives: at home, school, work, in the community and at church."
"It is the pastor's calling ... to equip the people to be faithful in their ministries in the world, functioning as a coach, who can not score all the points but rather encourage, motivate, teach and organize the team to be faithful."
The Bishop ended with the Prayer of St. Francis before the installation ceremony began of Pastor Jim Olsen.
The service concluded with a communion service.
Dr. Al VanderMeer, Executive Synod Minister of the Reformed Church helped with the services.