Christ The King Lutheran Church Marks Its 50th Anniversary Year

By Eliza Hallabeck

During a special Anniversary Celebration service on Sunday, November 13, Christ The King Lutheran Church marked 50 years of sermons, marriages, funerals, and honoring Jesus Christ.

Children in attendance at the Sunday morning service were given cupcakes during the children’s message portion of the morning by Lynn Morrison, and Reverend James Keurulainen, New England district president, gave the morning’s sermon.

Following the church being settled in Newtown, the first sermon was given on January 22, 1961, according to Rev Keurulainen.

“Think of all the pastors who were here [in the 50 years],” said Rev Keurulainen.

During the 50 years, Rev Keurulainen continued, “Six pastors have faithfully proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ, and raised him up as Christ The King.”

He asked parishioners to think about the number of times they have received the true body and the true blood during the sacrament. He asked them to think of how many couples have stood before the alter, hand-in-hand, to say, “I do.”

He asked people to think about how many caskets have been carried down the aisle of the church, how many tears have been shed within its walls.

Anniversaries, Rev Keurulainen, are not just about celebrating “in house.” He said anniversaries are also about sharing the message of what that anniversary means, in this instance sharing the word of Christ The King.

“Happy anniversary, Christ The King, Lutheran Church,” said Rev Keurulainen at the end of the sermon. “In his name we pray, amen.”

Following the service members of the church met at Roberto’s in Monroe for a celebratory lunch.