78R7525 JNC-D

By:  Bohac                                                        H.R. No. 405


R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The members of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Houston mark a significant milestone on March 8, 2003, as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of their church's founding; and WHEREAS, The congregation was organized in 1952 by a group seeking to form a mission church in the Oak Forest area; the first services were conducted in a fire station in December 1952; and WHEREAS, Designated Gethsemane Lutheran Church on March 8, 1953, the Reverend Carl Schmidt was installed as the first pastor in August of that year; the sanctuary, built with the support of the church's dedicated members, opened its doors in 1955; and WHEREAS, Gethsemane has been shepherded by three pastors in addition to Reverend Schmidt, including the Reverend David Hermann, the Reverend Eugene Heckman, and the Reverend John Cain; over the years the church has served generations of Texans, and its current congregation includes 13 of its charter members; and WHEREAS, Since its founding, Gethsemane Lutheran Church has been a source of comfort and inspiration to countless area residents, providing spiritual support and guidance to its growing membership; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas Legislature hereby honor the members of Gethsemane Lutheran Church on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the official founding of the church and extend to them warm best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Gethsemane Lutheran Church as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.