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Hope Lutheran Through the Years HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Partial History
PASTORS THAT HAVE SERVED HOPE:
Pastor David Natwick
Pastor Robert Blacka
Pastor Henry Westby
Pastor Daryl Bjerke
Pastor Louis Smith
Pastor Edgar Behrens
Pastor Gary Wilkerson
Pastor James Pollard
Pastor Leon Holm
Pastor Myrus Knutson
Pastor Timothy Johnsen
Pastor David Kieffer
Pastor Robert Collick
Pastor Carl Witt, Jr.
Pastor Cheryl Corneliussen
INTERNS THAT HAVE SERVED HOPE:
Said Ailabouni
Ed McGee
Bob Kingsbury
Robert Dew
Jay Egenes
GROWTH WITH HOPE
There were approximately 85 baptized Charter Members of Hope Lutheran. In February 1991 there were 596 baptized members. Today there are 912 baptized members.
THROUGH THE YEARS
1960
June Pastor David Natwick and family arrived
August First service held at Young’s (Fairway) Café.
1961
February Organizational meeting.
June
Groundbreaking service.
December
First service held in Sanctuary.
1962
February
Dedication of Church and Educational Room.
1963
May Pastor Natwick resigned to accept call in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
1964
January Pastor Robert Blacka accepted call to serve.
June
Work began constructing Overflow Rooms.
1967
September Construction of Narthex and pews installed. November Pastor Blacka preached farewell sermon.
Pastor Henry Westby served as Interim Pastor until April 1968.
1968
July Pastor Daryl Bjerke installed as Pastor.
1970
July Palm Desert Teen Center opened in Hope Lutheran Education Wing.
1971
February Celebrated 10th Anniversary.
September
Dedication of the Carillon.
1972
November Dedication of Pam Manor Memorial Room
Opened Hope Lutheran Preschool.
1973
April Hope Lutheran Refinanced – no longer a Mission Congregation.
September
Established two services. Early service is Contemporary.
November
Established Lutheran Mobility Ministry of the Desert led by Pastor Behrens.
1974
June Remodeled Pastor’s Office, Library and Secretary’s Office.
July
Installed complete new air conditioning and heating unit for Church, Kitchen and Office Area.
November
Participated in the United Missions Appeal raising $10,000 thru April 1975.
1975
July Employed Chuck Carlson as part-time Youth and Music Director.
1976
February Celebrated 15th Anniversary.
October
Began discussion about building a Fellowship Hall.
1977
February Youth Director Chuck Carlson resigned.
July
Said Ailabouni, our first Intern, arrived with wife Helen.
1978
July Ed McGee became our second Intern arriving with wife Sue.
1979
January Construction of four new Sunday School and Preschool Rooms began.
August
Bob Kingsbury became our third Intern.
October
Dedication of new Classrooms.
1980
February Pastor Louis Smith is called to be Associate Pastor.
July
Parking Lot is dedicated.
1981
February Celebrated 20th Anniversary.
1983
March Associate Pastor Louis Smith retired.
1984
May Chancel remodeled and red carpet installed in the Sanctuary.
1985
September Pastor Gary Wilkerson installed as Minister of Worship.
Pastor Leon Holm installed as Minister of Bible Studies and Visitation.
October
Pastor James Pollard joined congregation and contributed to the ministry.
1986
May Pastor Daryl Bjerke resigned.
Pastor Myrus Knutson served as Interim Pastor until October.
October
Pastor Timothy Johnsen installed as Pastor.
1987
December Hand Bells arrived
1988
October Three Worship Services began.
Pastor David Kieffer installed as Associate Pastor.
Mobile Unit is dedicated.
1989
January Fundraising plan began for Building Fund Drive for Fellowship Hall.
April
Celebration Sunday service held in tent to launch Building Fund Drive.
November
Groundbreaking for Fellowship Hall.
1990
February Contract signed for 7,200 sq. ft. Fellowship Hall.
July
Rogers Organ installed and dedicated.
1991
February Dedication of Fellowship Hall.
Dedication of Baby Grand Piano in memory of Dr. Carroll Lund.
Celebrated 30th Anniversary. Pastor Robert Collick installed as Visitation Pastor 1994 June Pastor Carl R. Witt, Jr. installed as Senior Pastor 1997 Four homes on Fairway Drive purchased, parking lot expansion completed. 1999 January Congregational Meeting votes to construct the new Worship Center. 2001 February Pastor Cheryl Corneliussen installed as Pastor of Education & Youth. 2002 February Dedication of the new Worship Center. 2007 September Intern Jay Egenes arrives. November Pastor Cheryl Corneliussen accepts call as Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Stockton, California
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