Graduation

Graduation day for St. John Lutheran School and Chester High School was May 29th.

    

Mr. Urquhart Retires

We celebrated the 41 years of service that principal Christopher Urquhart devoted to St. John Lutheran School. His former students came to join in the celebration. The Parish Hall was decorated like Wrigley Field.

  

Class of 2011 Confirmed

The class of 2011 was confirmed on Palm Sunday. Congratulations confirmands.

Former Vicar Baptises Eight

Reverend Matthew Buse serves two churches in Australia. On December 5th, 2010, he baptised eight children of South Sudanese refugees at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Dandenong.

Families ready for baptism

One child baptised

Former St. John Vicar Retires

Stanley Harding was born in Louisville, KY on August 8.  After attending public schools, Pastor Harding attended Vanderbilt University, graduating in 1966 with a BA degree, majoring in Psychology.

In 1966 Stan entered the U.S. Navy and served as an officer for ten years.  During this time he married Linda Ann Jones on January 20, 1968.  They met at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Nashville, TN, where their families were members.

He attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Seattle from 1976 through 1977.  Then he attended Wheaton College, graduating in 1979 with a Masters Degree in Theology.

Pastor Harding entered Concordia Seminary—St. Louis in 1981.  His vicarage took him to St. John Lutheran Church in Chester, IL, serving there under Rev. C. Fred Campbell from July 1984 to July 1985.  He graduated from the seminary in 1986 and was called to Concordia Lutheran Church in Waterloo, IA.

In October 1991, Stan accepted a call to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, IL, where he has served until his retirement this September 1, 2010.  During his service there, he served as the circuit counselor for the NID.  He also was instrumental in the renovation of the church sanctuary.

Though Stan is retiring, he has been asked to fill in a sudden vacancy in Niles, IL, about 40 minutes from his home, until a more permanent arrangement can be made for that congregation.

After a Service of Celebration, over 300 guests were served dinner at the Diplomat West in Elmhurst.  Those in attendance included Immanuel members, family, and friends, members from his former church in Waterloo, IA, and Rev. Fred and June Campbell and Paul and Mary Stallman of our congregation.

Youth Group Swim Party

St. John Youth went to Perry Park Center to enjoy an afternoon of swimming before the start of school next week. In the picture, a water volleyball game. There was a biggest splash competition and lots of fun on the water slide. After that, a trip to Pizza Hut to refuel.

Rev. Gerecke Memorial Cross

Dedication of Gerecke Memorial Cross

August 1st, 2010 the Gerecke Memorial cross was dedicated. To hear audio files of Rev. Gerecke’s experience as Chaplin at Nuremberg, go to www.stjohnchester.com/Gerecke/Gerecke.html.