Dedication In Fairchild
On Sunday, December 19, 1999 Morning Star Lutheran Church of Fairchild, Wisconsin held a dedication service for its new church building.
The structure is 30×70 and provides ample room for the church proper which comfortably seats seventy, with an overflow area that can accomodate another thirty people. The unit also includes an instruction room which doubles on Sundays as room for infants or children needing special attention. The building provides room for Sunday School classes and the summer Vacation Bible School, a fellowship area, handicapped access washrooms, and a complete kitchen.
Prior to this project the congregation met in a converted mobile home which provided seating for about thirty-five adults, along with two Sunday School classrooms.
Last fall it was brought to the congregation’s attention that the mobile unit was in violation of several code laws. The congregation had experienced much spiritual growth and also some numerical growth, so there was also a need for a larger place of worship. Plans were made to solve the problem.
The members of Morning Star have been members of Messiah Lutheran Church in Eau Claire who live in the Fairchild/Augusta/Humbird/Osseo areas. They have a common zeal for having a church that will bring them and their children the truths that God recorded in Holy Scripture for their learning–nothing more, but nothing less. Messiah congregation, as a part of its “outreach program,” arranged to provide worship services and Sunday School on a regular basis through her pastors, ILC professors, and seminary students. Vacation Bible School was conducted annually by members of Messiah.
Under the guidance and direction of Messiah, a new building was designed. By the expert and generous leadership of Jack Mayhew (member of Grace, Valentine, Nebr.), the building became a reality in time for Christmas, 1999.
Members of both “mother” and “daughter” congregations provided volunteers from various professions along with many donations of materials. Construction was carefully supervised and inspected as work progressed. The name Morning Star Lutheran Church was chosen and, as of February 2000, the congregation is incorporated.
At present the members of Morning Star live in Augusta, Fairchild, Osseo, Humbird, Willard, Owen, Pleasantville, and Menomonie. The congregation numbers seventeen children, nine young people, and thirty-two adults plus others interested in faithfulness to Scripture teachings. Worship services are conducted each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. with Sunday School and Adult Bible Class at 10:00 a.m. Confirmation classes and membership (information) classes are conducted throughout the year as needed.
Morning Star congregation is affiliated with the Church of the Lutheran Confession. Its members appreciate the opportunities to use the Christian education facilities of Messiah Lutheran School (grades K-8) as well as those of Immanuel Lutheran High School and College in Eau Claire. The congregation also has a special interest in CLC foreign mission opportunities in India and Nigeria, including the orphanages and the Bible Institutes preparing workers for the church.
Taking God at His Word, the members of Morning Star congregation feel secure in placing all their needs, and those of the brethren, in the hands of our faithful Lord–His “daily bread” is most generous and complete!
–Submitted by Pastor Gordon Radtke