H.R. No. 139



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, On September 28, 2003, Pastor R. Beicke and the 
members of St. John Lutheran Church in Thorndale are celebrating 
the church's 100th year of service to the community; and
	WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. August Wenzel, former district 
president of the Southern District, ALC, is involved in the special 
morning service, while three former pastors of the church--the 
Reverends Walter Miller, Mary Kaiser, and Al Hoerig, Jr.--are 
participants in the afternoon song and praise worship; and
	WHEREAS, The congregation was formally organized on December 
26, 1903, although services had been held in Detmold as far back as 
January 1902; initially, the Thorndale congregation was part of a 
three-community parish, including Bushdale and Sharp, served by 
Bushdale pastor Carl Roth, who was instrumental in the founding of 
St. John Lutheran Church; and
	WHEREAS, A parsonage-chapel was built in 1909 in Thorndale, 
and the first church building was constructed in 1915 in Detmold; 
after it underwent remodeling in 1933 and in 1951, the congregation 
decided to relocate the entire church to Thorndale in 1959, and a 
new edifice was dedicated in 1963 at 315 N. Sixth Street; and
	WHEREAS, Blessed with warm fellowship and inspirational 
teaching, St. John Lutheran Church remains a tribute to the 
commitment of its members, who have given generously of their time, 
energy, and financial resources to ensure that it continues to 
thrive as a house of worship; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby congratulate Pastor R. 
Beicke and the members of St. John Lutheran Church on the joyous 
occasion of the church's centennial celebration and extend to all 
those involved sincere best wishes for a memorable and fulfilling 
observance; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.

                                                                          Gattis

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 139 was adopted by the House on 
October 2, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House