REPRINTED FROM THE NEWS HERALD/NEWS MESSENGER, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2017 Charter member Hank Gurtz, left, Administrative Assistant Ellen Rofkar, center, and trustee Roy Martinez stand inside Resurrection Lutheran Church, which celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sept. 10. (Photo: Sheri Trusty/Correspondent) CATAWBA - Resurrection Lutheran Church celebrated its 50th anniversary last month with a handful of charter members and the only two pastors in the church’s half-century history. Tradition is foundational to Resurrection, whose biggest change was inspired by its refusal to change. The church was founded as a mission church in 1967 and was strong enough to terminate its mission status in 1968. Pastor Erwin Streng led the congregation through its first 10 years, and then Pastor Kurt Borows took over in 1978. He remains the church’s minister today. “Pastor Borows has carried the ball for 40 years, and he has been ordained for 53 years,” said church trustee Roy Martinez. “Our church is very traditional, and a lot of that has to do with Pastor Borows and his leadership style. We’re very open, very friendly, and we have a lot of volunteers.” Administrative Assistant Ellen Rofkar said she believes that friendliness, and the church’s unusual location, have contributed to its longevity. “Catawba Island is just a unique place, being on a peninsula. It’s very friendly. It’s really like family,” she said. “Even the summer residents, if they only come three or four times and you never see them again, they are like family while they’re here.”

RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY MILESTONE On Sunday, September 10, 2017, the congregation of Resurrection Lutheran Church held their 50th Anniversary celebration with a special worship service and brunch at the Catawba Island Club. Special guests included Pastor Erwin Streng, who served as the first pastor from 1967 to 1977, Pastor Mark Chavez-General Secretary of the North American Lutheran Church, Pastor Robert Butcher-retired pastor of Firelands Presbyterian Church, and Pastor Janine Dress who was ordained at Resurrection in 1982. Also participating in the special worship service were Reverend Lisa Peterson-retired pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Port Clinton and a current member of Resurrection, member John Hazzard, and current Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Kurt W. Borows. In May of 1966, the American Lutheran Church, Michigan District Convention was held at St. John Lutheran Church in Port Clinton, Ohio. At this convention, Rev. Clarence Larson of the Toledo Board of Home Missions announced plans for a mission church on Catawba Island. Ground was broken for the church building in August of 1966 and the church was dedicated on March 5, 1967, as RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH . The Rev. Dr. Kurt W. Borows has been serving as pastor since January 1, 1978. Today, there are 10 charter members still with Resurrection. They are: Ron Bauman, Don & Mitzi Gulau, Hank Gurtz, Dr. Robert & Norma Nehls, Herb & Jackie Roder and John & Helen Jean Rofkar. The church is located at 2370 NE Catawba Road, Port Clinton. There is a dedicated website at: www.ResurrectionOnCatawba.com . Resurrection Lutheran Church is a charter member of the North American Lutheran Church. Worship service and Sunday school start at 9:00 a.m. Pictured above are (on left) Rev. Dr. Kurt W. Borows and (on right) Pastor Erwin Streng with the beautiful commemorative plaque celebrating the momentous milestone.

Well before Christmas 2016, someone well known and loved here at Resurrection wanted to do something special for Strength for the Journey. She took it upon herself to send out her own handmade costumes so these impoverished children and families in the Dominican Republic could re-enact the nativity. Sending them out in plenty of time, it was still a nail-biting, down-to-the-wire experience waiting to hear if/when they received these boxes. Fortunately, they DID receive them by December 19th. Not too late for Lindsay Kaufman, a retired school teacher moved from Ohio to the Dominican Republic, to take on the challenge of preparing for this task! Strength for the Journey is an organization of dedicated volunteers; dedicated to helping kids that find themselves in absolute poverty with little likelihood of overcoming their situation.

“THE STORY WE LOVE TO TELL”

Text – MARK 6:7-13

GRACE BE UNTO YOU AND PEACE FROM GOD THE FATHER AND FROM OUR CRUCIFIED AND RISEN LORD AND SAVIOR – JESUS THE CHRIST.

I remember the first time I met Guenther Tharp. He was such a little guy – cute as only a child of four could be – and shy as is so typical of a child that age.  The whole time I talked to him he never stopped looking down at his shoes and did not utter a single sound.  Soon the Tharps and I went on to other topics and Guenther returned to his toys – apparently totally oblivious to what his parents and I said or did.

Then his father made reference to the family’s visit to Disney World on their recent vacation.  Those two words – “Disney World” – were like an alarm clock alerting Guenther to an interesting shift in what Guenther had considered a boring

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“Decisions - His And Ours”

Text - LUKE 9:51, 57—62

GRACE BE UNTO YOU AND PEACE FROM GOD THE FATHER AND FROM OUR PERSONAL CRUCIFIED AND RISEN LORD AND SAVIOUR … JESUS THE CHRIST.

I’m often asked for more stories about Guenther Tharp.  Our text this morning always reminds me of the time Guenther was studying The Ten Commandments with Mrs. Nielsen’s Sunday school class and she decided to give the class an oral quiz.  She asked, “Which commandment are you breaking when you sneak some money out of your mother’s purse?”

Sally Nolan replied, “The Seventh Commandment, Mrs. Neilsen, ‘You shall not steal’.”

“What commandment are you breaking if you are disrespectful to your mother?”

Tim Ryan said, “The Fourth — ‘Honor your father and your mother’.”

“What commandment are you breaking if you cut off part

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“One Nation Under God – Or Just A Nation Going Under?”

 

Text - 1 KINGS 18:21 and ROMANS 13:1-7

GRACE BE UNTO YOU AND PEACE FROM GOD THE FATHER, FROM OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Lars Tharp had a rough day at the office and, after dinner, wanted nothing more than to collapse in his easy chair and read his 

favorite magazine.  Guenther had other ideas.   He approached his Dad 

with one question after another.  Finally, he wanted to know about the United States map.

 

Lars found a chance for that relaxation he so craved.  He tore a sheet out of his magazine on which

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