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Praising God For Yesterday,Praising God For Yesterday,Praising God For Yesterday, Living For Him Today andLiving For Him Today andLiving For Him Today and

Messiah Lutheran ChurchMessiah Lutheran ChurchMessiah Lutheran Church

60th Anniversary60th Anniversary60th Anniversary

195719571957---201720172017

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Messiah Lutheran Church has so much to celebrate!

Dedication of our first Sanctuary at the

Plano campus-February 1, 2004

50th anniversary celebration-Plano Center-January 20, 2007

First groundbreaking at Plano campus-

May 5, 2002

Dedication of our second Sanctuary at the

Plano campus- December 2, 2012

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Anniversaries are a

great time for

remembering the

past. Anniversaries

give us many

opportunities to

remember past

people and past

events in our

congregation’s

history. That is what this anniversary booklet will help you to do.

But anniversaries are also a great time to look forward. God has

blessed us for 60 wonderful years here at Messiah. We have

accomplished many great things with God’s guidance over these

past 60 years. And there is no reason to think that God will not

bless us with many more years of service to Him.

As you remember the past on this our 60th anniversary, as you

think about all the great things God has done through Messiah

Lutheran Church these past 60 years, also think ahead to what

God has in store for us in the future. Let’s put ourselves in God’s

hands and allow Him to lead us into the future. Who knows what

God will accomplish through us as we do this?

MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS EACH ONE OF YOU AS

WE CONTINUE TOGETHER TO SERVE HIM AND

OUR COMMUNITY!

A Word From Pastor Kollmann, Senior Pastor

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Our Mission Statement

Gladly enter God’s House weekly. (Worship)

Listen for God’s voice. (Discipleship-Bible Study, Quiet Time, Prayer)

Open my heart and hands to serve God. (Ministry)

Wholeheartedly love God & my neighbor. (Evangelism/Fellowship-Outreach)

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GLOW and then GO, make disciples, as God commands us to do!

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Listen for God’s voice. (Discipleship-Bible Study, Quiet Time, Prayer)

Our Mission Statement in Action

Gladly enter God’s House weekly. (Worship)

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Open my heart and hands to serve God. (Ministry)

Wholeheartedly love God & my neighbor. (Evangelism/Fellowship-Outreach)

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Jo and Rudy Buchwald

Messiah has provided a foundation for family living. We have fond

memories of fellowship, caring friends, volunteers and stability

which are trademarks of Messiah Lutheran Church. We had been in

Richardson less than a week when Rev. Mark Herbener visited Jo and

the family and invited us to a backyard barbecue at the Keils’ on

Saturday night. During the barbecue, Morry Keil related how the

Morris Keil and Marvin Crumley families had convinced the Texas

District Mission board to purchase the Richardson church site and

provide a missionary-at-large for a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church

in Richardson which was expected to rapidly grow. Morry indicated

Restland would let the mission church use Wildwood Chapel on

Sunday mornings until the first building was completed. This was

perfect, a beautiful chapel with all the furnishings, ready for

immediate use.

On September 9, 1956, Rev. Herbener was installed as missionary-at-

large. His home was a converted duplex office, one end was his

apartment and the other end was his church office. Money was tight,

so we installed Richardson’s longest extension cord on the telephone

so it could be moved where needed. The office was furnished with

outmoded equipment from other Dallas Lutheran churches and was

more than adequate for our small congregation.

A Word From Our Charter Members

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We were fortunate to be in the Dallas area where several organists were

willing to serve on Sunday mornings, although sometimes we had to

make a fast trip to SMU to pick up an organist. Most members had

several jobs each Sunday morning and to some extent it was like the old

one-room country schools inasmuch as the Sunday School teachers

taught children with a wide age range.

Members worked on the constitution, bylaws and policies in preparation

for the formal organization of the congregation during the last quarter of

1956. Messiah was formally organized on Epiphany Sunday, January 6,

1957. The LWML was formally organized on January 30, 1957, and

received voters approval for money-making projects in April.

Rummage sales, box suppers, book reviews, etc., were planned and held

and the money used to purchase furnishings for the church and buy

Christmas gifts for the Lutheran Orphanage.

During the year, a number of Lutheran conferences for pastors and

officers of the Dallas and Fort Worth congregations were held. Meeting

with others provided support and inspiration for the mission congregation

of Messiah. On November 3, 1957, the first unit was dedicated. The

Sunday School rooms also were used for fellowship during which time

we played cards, dominoes, and planned reaching out to the community

as everyone was committed to growth after completing the first

sanctuary.

These were exciting times. Rev. Herbener met Miss Donna Gergens

whom he married in April, 1958. A parsonage was purchased for them at

626 Scottsdale. Now our debt was greater than the net worth of all the

members. However, all were confident Messiah would someday be

among the leaders in giving to mission projects and would be a strong

force in the community.

God has blessed Messiah by providing fine pastors who preach the

gospel, dedicated staff and talented dedicated volunteer workers. If we

didn’t set a record for volunteer grass mowing which was begun to save

money, we are at least in the top ten in the Dallas area. The same is true

for other volunteer efforts at Messiah for which the congregation ex-

presses a hearty “Thank you.” May Messiah continue to take up Christ’s

work of reaching out to the lost and making disciples both within and

outside the church.

Rudy Buchwald, Charter Member

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The newly organized Messiah Lutheran Church of Richardson will hold its

first worship services on Sunday, June 3, 1956, in the Wildwood Chapel in

Restland Memorial Park. Sunday School classes will begin at 9:30 a.m.

and worship services at 10:45 a.m. The sermon “Divine Guidance for the

Unmarked Path” will be presented by Rev. Fred Boecher, a former

Lutheran army chaplain, and at present, assistant head of the Department

of Religion at St. Mark’s School of Texas. The guest organist will be

Mr. George Pearce, principal of the Lower School at St. Mark’s.

A call has been issued by the Texas District Mission

Board to Rev. Mark Herbener, who will graduate

from Concordia Seminary at St. Louis next week, to

serve as pastor for this new Lutheran congregation.

A building site of approximately three acres has

been purchased. The property is located on Belt

Line Road directly across from the property

purchased by the City of Richardson for its proposed

new high school.

Construction of a Sanctuary and Sunday

School classrooms will be started as soon as

the congregation is officially organized and

plans are drawn and approved.

Newspaper article

Messiah Lutheran Church, The Beginning

Rev. Fred Boecher,

Interim Pastor

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CHARTER MEMBERS

Rudy and Jo Buchwald

Deby and Max

Sam and Bobbie Davis

Mrs. Irving Cope

Marvin and Ruth Crumley

Pastor Mark Herbener

Kenneth and Anita Kramer

Morris and Gerry Keil

Diane and Judith

Elmer and Lorraine Melzer

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Nehrenz

Howard and Bing Pound

D.R. and Anna Marie Sherrin

Burton and Rose Yandry

Marcia and William

Harry and Wanda Zeilinger

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Charter Members-Can you find your pew?

First Sanctuary

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PRESENT MEMBERS WHO JOINED MESSIAH

55+ YEARS AGO

Rudy Buchwald, 1/6/57

Jo Buchwald, 1/6/57

Deby Redle, 1/6/57

Max Buchwald, 1/6/57

Lila Hughes, 5/28/57

Debra Spears, 5/28/57

Mary Luecke, 1/21/58

Gerald Luecke, 1/21/58

Phil Huber, 9/1/58

Thomas Davis, 11/9/58

Melba Davidson, 1/19/60

Fred Strieter, 3/15/60

Ann Strieter, 3/15/60

Eunice Elser, 7/19/60

Bruce Kofoed, 7/19/60

Scott Taylor, 9/4/60

Susan Strieter, 9/11/60

Leslie Bowling, 10/18/60

Allan Bowling, 10/18/60

Jeff Buchwald, 7/2/61

Marian Collins, 12/21/61

Larry Collins, 12/21/61

Diana Collins-Hart, 12/21/61

Henry Burnett, 4/8/62

Helen Burnett, 4/8/62

Bob Lehman, 4/8/62

Sylvia Lehman, 4/8/62

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MESSIAH’S STAFF THROUGH THE YEARS

Pastor Mark B. Herbener 1956/61

Pastor Virgil F. Meyer 1961/90

DCE Daniel Stolle 1969/70

Secretary Marion Collins 1970/84

Vicar Edward Geschke 1970/71

Vicar James Noffke 1971/72

DCE Lawren Miller 1973/74

DCE Intern Stephen Fehl 1976

Vicar Ernie Lassmann 1976/77

Vicar Paul Schweinler 1977/78

Vicar Kurt Bodling 1978/79

Asst. Pastor Carl A. Gaertner 1979

Assoc. Pastor Gerald E. Todd 1980/86

Secretary Diana Collins-Hart 1984/88

Minister of Music David Lineberger 1986/2000

Asst. Pastor Maxen W. Dommer 1986

Assoc. Pastor Michael S. Harding 1987/90

Secretary Betty Bugno 1988/93

Vicar Jonathan Blanke 1990/91

Pastor Michael S. Harding 1990/91

Vicar Scott Goltl 1991/92

Secretary Sarah Huechteman 1991/95

DCE David Rahberg 1991-2007

Pastor Victor J. Kollmann 1992/present

Vicar Ken Bersche 1992/93

Vicar Bill Snooks 1993/94

Visitation Pastor Thomas Sorensen 1994/99

Parish Assistant Ellen Brondos Thorne 1994/present

Secretary Kathy Ward Mardis 1995/present

DCE Intern Lori Lanning Summer of 1996

DCE Intern Erin Lentz Summer of 1997

DCE Intern Lisa LaGrange Summer of 1998

DCE Intern Natalie Redle Summer of 1999

DCE Assistant Kim Davis 1998-2000

DCE Daryl Bierbaum 1998/99

Associate Pastor Dan Georg 1999/2000

Associate Pastor James Otte 2000/present

Music Ministry Dorothy Sherrod 2000/present

DCE full-time Kim Davis 2000-2010

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Receptionist Marcia Borchert 2002-2006

Property Supervisor Don Johnson 2003-present

Children’s Ministry Amy Plenger 2005-present

Program Staff Susan Nivin 2006-2015

Associate Pastor Daniel Borkenhagen 2006-2012

Assistant Property Douglas Johnson 2009-2016

DCE Elizabeth Ledford 2010-present

DCE Matthew Lee 2011-present

Associate Pastor Donald Welmer 2012-present

Receptionist Doris Embree 2012-present

Recreation Director Rebekah Myer 2014-present

Administrative Assistant Kim Johnson 2016-present

Mark B. Herbener 1956-1961

Virgil F. Meyer 1961-1990

Michael S. Harding Associate 1987-1990

Senior 1990-1991

Victor J. Kollmann 1992-present

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Pastors

Floyd “Chip” Miller

Phillip Boelter

Michael Hafer

John Elser

Brian Noack

DCE

Lori Bachman

Samuel Rahberg

Erin (Devine) Rustan

Teachers

Diane Miller Otsubo

Heidi (Hafer) Miertschin

Jennifer (Collins) Taylor

Rebecca (Collins) West

Members of Messiah who entered church work

Gerald E. Todd Associate 1980-1986

James E. Otte Associate 2001-present

Daniel G. Borkenhagen 2006-2012

Donald N. Welmer 2012-present

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FIRSTS IN THE HISTORY OF

MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH

June 3, 1956-First service in Wildwood Chapel at Restland

Memorial Park. Twenty-three people in attendance. Rev. Fred

Boucher was the pastor.

September 9, 1956-The Rev. Mark Herbener commissioned as

missionary-at-large in the Richardson Area and later became first

pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church.

January 6, 1957-Formal organization of the congregation on

Epiphany Sunday. Twenty-eight communicants and forty-one souls

received into membership.

First adult confirmation: Sam and Bobbie Davis, D.R. Sherrin,

Wanda Zeilinger.

First baby baptized: Maxey Buchwald

January, l957 – First officers of new congregation:

Morris Keil, President

Howard Pound, Vice President

Burton Yandry, Secretary

Sam Davis, Jr., Treasurer

Rudolph Buchwald, Deacon

Marvin Crumley, Elder

Kenneth Kramer, Elder

Elmer Melzer, Elder

D. R. Sherrin, Trustee

January 30, 1957 – First officers of Women’s Guild:

Mrs. Howard Pound, President

Mrs. Rudolph Buchwald, Vice President/Membership Chrmn

Mrs. Sam Davis, Secretary/Treasurer

June 9, 1957 – Pentecost Sunday. Groundbreaking ceremonies for

the first church building.

June 16, 1957 – First adult baptism: James Dockery

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1957 – First Sunday School Superintendent, Mel Boelter. First

organist, Marcia Yandry.

June 1, l957 – First groundbreaking ceremonies for the new church.

November 3, 1957 Dedication of first unit of church, which included

a chapel, five Sunday School classrooms, kitchen and church office.

February 19, 1958 – First marriage in new church: Marcia Yandry

and Gerald Rhodes.

May 17, 1959 – First class of Junior Confirmation group: Mike

Crumley, Gene Ender, John Heitmeyer, David Huber, Robert Yandry.

April 22, 1962 – First Easter Sunrise Service at Arapaho Drive-In

Theater.

September, 1962 – First kindergarten organized; Mrs. Dorothy

Meyer as teacher.

November 22, 1964 –Groundbreaking for the first phase of the

master plan which includes a sanctuary, seven classrooms, library and

administrative wing at a cost of $117,000.

September 11, 1965 – First Saturday School started for Grades 1 – 8.

The day was later changed to Wednesdays.

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September 12, 1965 – First phase building was dedicated.

Membership was 569, with 326 confirmed.

October 5, 1969 –First Minister of Education and Director of Youth

installed, Daniel Stolle.

July 19, 1970 – Edward Geschke, student at Concordia Seminary,

Springfield, Illinois, installed as first vicar.

September 1970 – Preschool program for four-year olds started.

Suzanne Helberg, teacher.

October 24, 1971 – First Bethel Series teachers received diplomas.

November 1, 1971 – First Bethel Series began. Enrollment of ninety.

January, 1974 – First Blood Donors Club organized.

September, 1975 – First program for three-year olds and Mother’s

Day Out program began at this time.

August, 1977 –Joan Nilmeier is hired as first Director of Preschool.

June 18, 1979 – Dedication of first phase of new pipe organ.

September 16, 1980 – First Stephen Ministry training started with

Pastor and Dorothy Meyer as instructors.

October 5, 1980 – Gerald E. Todd installed as first Associate Pastor

of Messiah.

February 22, 1981 – First Singles Group started, headed by Laverne

Domel and Frances Lottman.

May, 1985 – First time handbells played in worship service.

March, 1993 – Primetimers (over 55) group was organized. First

group of senior citizens.

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October, 1994 – Ellen Brondos installed as first Parish Assistant.

December, 2001-First “Little Bit of Christmas” led by Kim Davis,

DCE.

May, 2001-First National Day of Prayer Service and consecutive

hours of prayer by members.

May, 2001-First annual Veterans recognition on Memorial day

weekend.

September, 2001-First Wednesday service.

December, 2003-First Worship Celebration at the new Plano

campus.

August, 2005-Amy Plenger installed as first Director of Children’s

Ministries.

October, 2005-First Oktoberfest celebration led by Dave Rahberg,

DCE and men of Messiah.

November, 2005-First annual Martin Luther service.

February, 2006-First Women in Union conference headed up by

Messiah Women, Deb Kelly, Caree Rahberg, Mary Jane Renken, and

Sylvia Rohde.

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IN HIS SERVICE FOR 60 YEARS

CONGREGATION PRESIDENTS

1956/58 Morris Keil

1959 John Stephens

1959/61 Rudolph Buchwald

1962/63 Melvin Boelter

1964/65 Gerald Luecke

1965/66 Harry Dent

1966/67 Fred Strieter

1967/68 Dean Roesler

1968/69 Dean Kleven

1969 Don Alloway

1970 Ken Krueger

1970-71 Don Bender

1972 Al Markwardt

1973 Dean Kleven

1973 Mert Jesson

1974 Jack Lauber

1975/76 Bill Schmidtke

1977 Harold Lehrmann

1978/79 Bob Lehman

1980 Bill Ceverha

1981 Doug Putnam

1981 Floyd Huber

1982/83 Bill Swan

1984/85 Bob Lehman

1986/87 Bill Johnson

1988/89 Dennis Hiser

1990/91 Harold Lehrmann

1992/93 Bill Johnson

1994/95 Paul Zweiacker

1996/97 Harold Lehrmann

1998/99 Bob Breedlove

1999-2001 Harold Lehrmann

2002-2003 Bill Johnson

2004-2005 John Koonsman

2006-2007 Paul Zweiacker

2008-2011 George Chrisman

2012-2013 Paul Zweiacker

2014-present George Chrisman

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HEAD ELDERS

Rudolph Buchwald (temporary officer)

K.B. Kramer and Marvin Crumley

K.B. Kramer and Rudolph Buchwald

Howard Pound

Dean Roesler

1961/62 Floyd Huber

1963/65 Melvin Boelter

1965/66 Vern Munson

1966/68 Lloyd Winter

1968/69 Wayne Law

1969/70 Tom Fowler

1970/71 Marion Gebhardt

1971/72 Herb Haufler

1973/75 Harold Lehrmann

1976/78 Bill Swan

1979/80 Ken Hawk

1981/82 Richard Benjamin

1983 Bill Hoffman

1984 Gary Prather

1985/87 Bill Swan

1988 Jim Nilmeier

1989 Phil Paine

1990 Henry Burnett

1991 Bill Swan

1992 Mike Patrick

1993 Bob Weldon

1994/95 Jim Nilmeier

1996/97 Denis Schnell

1998-2007 Dennis Hiser

2008-2013 Les Pritchett

2014-present Chris Price

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LWML PRESIDENTS

1957/58 Bing Pound 1959 Delores Stephens 1960 Lou Schuller 1961 Jan Wheeler 1962 Eunice Elser 1963 Amanda Hafer 1964/66 Ann Strieter 1966/67 Amanda Hafer 1967/68 Betty Winter 1968/69 Doris Embree 1969/71 LaVerne Domel 1971/72 Phyllis Kohls 1972 Marguerite Damm 1972/74 Alice Sitz 1974/76 Dorothy Meyer 1976/78 Barbara Niemeyer 1978/79 Amanda Hafer 1980/81 Madeline Kunkel 1981/82 Margo Rigg

1982/84 Lila Hughes 1984/86 Janice Peterson 1986/87 Linda Falke 1987/89 Ann Strieter 1989/91 Shannon Reid 1991/93 Sarah Huechteman 1993/95 Janice Peterson 1995/97 Mary Luecke 1997/99 Phyllis Kohls 1999/01 Shellie Fontana 2001/02 Phyllis Kohls 2002-2005 Mary Luecke 2005-2007 Phyllis Kohls 2007-2009 Kathy Steglich 2009-2011 Joan Nilmeier 2011-2013 Priscella Reid 2013/14 Ellarea Poeck 2014-2016 Dorothy Rigg 2016/17

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HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS OF MESSIAH

June 3, 1956 – First service in Wildwood Chapel of Restland Memorial Park.

Twenty-three people are in attendance. The Rev. Fred Boecher serves as pastor.

August 1, l956 – The Rev. Mark B. Herbener, 1956 graduate of Concordia Seminary,

St. Louis, Missouri, arrives in Richardson on August 1, 1956, with a call from the

Texas District to begin work in the area.

September 9, 1956 – The Rev. Herbener is commissioned as missionary-at-large in

the Richardson area on September 9, 1956, in a special service at Our Redeemer

Lutheran Church of Dallas.

January 6, 1957 – Formal organization of the congregation takes place on Epiphany

Sunday. Twenty-eight communicants and forty-one souls are received into

membership of the congregation.

June 9, 1957 - Pentecost Sunday-groundbreaking ceremonies for the new church.

Cecil Carr is contractor.

November 3, 1957 – Dedicate first unit which includes a chapel, five Sunday School

rooms, kitchen and church office.

August, 1960 - A fund drive is held to raise $10,000 for additional Sunday School

space.

1961 Gathering

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August, 1961 – Rev. Virgil F. Meyer, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Texas

City, accepts the call to Messiah. Pastor Herbener in May, 1961 had accepted a call

to the inner city church in South Dallas, now named Mt. Olive Lutheran Church.

September 3, 1961 - Rev. Virgil F. Meyer installed as pastor of Messiah.

October 25, 1961 – Groundbreaking ceremonies for addition.

April 22, 1962 – First Easter Sunrise service at Arapaho Drive-In Theater.

September, 1962 – Kindergarten organized. Mrs. Virgil Meyer is first teacher.

She teaches kindergarten for a total of ten years until the school is dropped because

of the start of public school kindergartens.

April, 1964 – Architectural firm of Brown and Keller is engaged to draw up a

master plan.

May-June, 1964 – Bond campaign is held to finance new building and pay off

indebtedness to the Church Extension Fund of the Texas District.

August 11, 1964 – Master plan approved by the congregation.

November 22, 1964 – Groundbreaking for the first phase of the master plan which

includes sanctuary, seven classrooms, library and administrative wing at a cost of

$117,000.

September 11, 1965 – Saturday School starts for grades 1 through 8. This is

shifted later to Wednesdays with eighth grade confirmation meeting on Saturdays.

September 12, 1965 – The new building dedicated. Rev. Virgil F. Meyer preached

the morning service.

January 6, 1967 – Tenth anniversary of congregation. The Rev. Carl A. Gaertner,

Pastor, Zion, Dallas, preaches in the morning service. A celebration banquet held

that evening at Hubbard’s Cafeteria. The Rev. Mark Herbener speaks for this

occasion.

September 17, 1967 – Groundbreaking ceremonies for Phase II of the master plan

which includes four classrooms and an activities room at an approximate cost of

$25,000.

June 17-18, 1967 – Vacation Bible School record attendance of 346 children, an

average daily attendance of 350 which includes teachers and helpers. Mrs. Marian

Collins is superintendent.

October 5, 1969 – Installation of Daniel Stolle, 1969 graduate of River Forest,

Illinois, as Messiah’s Minister of Education and Director of Youth.

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October, 1969 Three services start: 8:15, 9:30, 10:45. Two Sunday Schools, 9:30

and 10:45. This is later changed to the original schedule of two services and one

Sunday School session.

May 20, 1970 – Marian Collins begins work as secretary of congregation.

July 19, 1970 – Edward Geschke, student at Concordia Seminary, Springfield,

Illinois, installed as Messiah’s first vicar.

September 1970 – Preschool program for fours starts, Mrs. Suzanne Helberg is

teacher.

April 11, 1971 – Last Easter Sunrise Service is conducted at Arapaho Drive-In

Theater.

June 13, 1971 - James P. Noffke, student at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Missouri, installed as Messiah’s second vicar.

October 24, 1971 - Bethel Series teachers receive diplomas in worship service.

November 1, 1971 – Bethel Bible Study Series starts in congregation with

enrollment of ninety.

September 19, 1972 - Messiah women start working at Braille center at Zion

Lutheran Church.

May 3, 1973 Messiah joins in Synod’s 125th Anniversary Thank offering.

Offering goal, $125,000. Eighty percent is designated for building fund and

twenty percent for thankoffering.

June 24, 1973 - Lawren Miller, 1973 graduate of Concordia Teachers College is

installed as Minister of Education and Youth.

March 9, 1975 – Voters approve building of new church room and other facilities

at a cost not to exceed $420,000. The total long-term financing is $450,000.

Harvey Moore is architect.

April 3, 1975 - Bids are opened for building. Jessup Construction Company is

low bidder at $398,990. This firm is awarded the contract.

April 20, 1975 – Groundbreaking service outdoors for the construction of 600-seat

church-room, kitchen, lounge, restrooms, choir room, altar guild room and

sacristy.

May 18, 1975 – Congregation voted to sponsor a Cambodian refugee family.

September, 1975 – Program for threes and Mother’s Day Out starts

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December 1, 1975 – Church Council votes to contract Steve Fehl, a Director of

Christian Education student at Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska, to

serve Messiah from January 15, 1976 to August 15, 1976.

April 4, 1976 - Dedication of 600-seat sanctuary and additional facilities. Pastor

Meyer preached the dedication service in the morning. The Rev. James P. Noffke,

Pastor, Our Savior, Austin, and Messiah’s second vicar, preached in the afternoon

service of thanksgiving.

August 29, 1976 – Ernie Lassman installed as vicar at Messiah.

September 5, 1976 – Congregation observes Pastor Virgil Meyer’s 25th

anniversary in the ministry and his l5th year at Messiah. Dr. Carl Heckmann was

the guest speaker. He conducted a special laying on of hands by the lay leaders for

recommitment to the Holy Ministry in both services. A luncheon was held in

Pastor Meyer’s honor in the Fellowship Hall.

January 9, l977 – The Baptism of our Lord – Celebrated the 20th anniversary of the

congregation with Holy Communion and a historical movie shown during the

service. Messiah’s first pastor, the Rev. Mark Herbener, preached the sermon.

February 13, l977 – The Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany – dedicated the kneelers

and balcony pews.

August, 1977 – Joan Nilmeier starts as Director of Preschool. City of Richardson

health inspections of school begins (to present time).

September 11, 1977 – Paul Schweinler installed as vicar of Messiah.

November, 1977 – Successful organ fund drive for Stage I of the organ concluded.

November 28/29, 1977 – Congregational Assembly authorizes Trustees to enter

into contract with John Fort for building Stage I of the organ.

March 19, 1978 – Palm Sunday. Largest class of juniors confirmed: 41

April 23, 1978 – Youth Choir presented “Lightshine” musical. Well received.

Directed by Karen Meitz.

April 27, 1978 – Singles Group organized. Present activities chiefly social. Organ

contract signed with John Fort for Stage I of the organ.

September 3, 1978 – Pastor Virgil Meyer’s l7th anniversary at Messiah. Vicar

Kurt Bodling is installed as vicar at Messiah.

February 26, 1979 – Congregational Assembly votes to call an assistant or associ-

ate pastor.

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April 15, 1979 – Easter Outdoor Sunrise Service at 6 a.m. in front of the church. 174 in

attendance. Maintained unbroken record of no rain for eleven Easter Sunrise Services.

April 12, 1979 – In special congregational meeting the members voted to accept a bid

of $48,000 from Braden-Waggoner Contractors for renovation of some of the building

including: Finishing of Youth Room, acoustical treatment of Fellowship Hall, moving

nursery, furnish a new library and media center and refurbishing kindergarten area and

rooms in the old building.

June 17, 1979 – Hymn Festival and Dedication of the first stage of the new pipe organ

designed and built by John Fort with the help of members of congregation.

September, 1979 – Dr. Carl Gaertner, Pastor Emeritus of Zion, Dallas, is contracted to

serve as assistant pastor until an assistant pastor accepts the call to Messiah.

December 1, 1979 – Messiah’s Boy Scout Troop won best decorated in the Adult

Division of the Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade.

January 6, 1980 – Twenty-third anniversary of congregation. Dedication of remodeled

building.

August, 1980 - Five-day preschool class begins.

October 5, 1980 – 19th Sunday of Pentecost, installation of Pastor Gerald E. Todd from

Fountain of Life, Kernersville, North Carolina, as associate pastor of Messiah Lutheran

Church.

October 19, 1980 – Dedication of Needlepoint Cushions after four years of work by

thirty-six ladies. Pam Swan designed the cushions.

February 22, 1981 - Eighteen Stephen ministers commissioned.

First Annual Singles Sunday headed up by Laverne Domel and Frances Lottman.

August 30, 1981 – Congregation celebrated Pastor Virgil F. Meyer’s 30th year in the

ministry and 20th year at Messiah in the service with Pastor Meyer preaching. There

was a banquet in his and Dorothy’s honor at which time they were presented with a trip

to Hawaii.

December, 1981 – Organ Fund Committee mails letter for organ fund contributions to

complete the organ in l982 for the 25th anniversary of the congregation. Total goal,

$40,000.

March 5/6, l982 – Messiah hosted Lutheran Early Childhood Conference with Our

Redeemer, Dallas, and Faith, Plano. 200 attended. Mary Jane Tobaben, Director of

Preschool and Mother’s Day Out, headed up the arrangements assisted by Mary Ann

Steele.

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January, 1983 – Congregation joins seventy percent of Texas District in the “In His

Service” year-long stewardship emphasis.

May 23, l983 – Congregation adopts new hymnal, Lutheran Worship. The vote was 26

for, 23 against.

November 6, 1983 – A service of hymns and readings to commemorate the 500th

anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther held at Messiah, sponsored by congregations

of Circuit 16. Pastor Meyer preached the sermon.

January 29, 1984 – Youth Choir re-established under Joan Nilmeier and Anne Calvert.

June 3, 1984 – Start using Lutheran Worship exclusively.

September, 1984 – Marian Collins resigns after fourteen years as Messiah’s secretary.

Diana Collins-Hart hired as full-time secretary.

October, 1984 – Organ completed except for installation of chimes.

November 11, 1984 - Sanctuary Choir presents “Elijah.”

May 12, l985 – Handbells first played in worship service.

Summer, 1985 – School playground built.

April 27, 1986 – Organ dedication festival. The three organists play: David Johanson,

Dorothy Meyer and Eunice Elser. Trumpet, Les Holben; trombone, Paul Wesebaum.

Youth Choir directed by Joan Nilmeier; Sanctuary Choir directed by Janet Lee

Whittlesey; Handbell Choir, Dorothy Meyer. John Fort, organ builder was present.

August 17, 1986 – David Lineberger installed as Minister of Music and Administration.

November 16, 1986 –Farewell to Pastor Gerald E. Todd. He accepted a call to St. Paul,

Leavenworth, Kansas.

January 4, 1987 – Epiphany Sunday, 30th anniversary celebration. Pastor Edward M.

Geschke, Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Plainfield, Illinois, and Messiah’s first

vicar, preached. Guest speaker at banquet was Pastor Mark Herbener, Messiah’s first

pastor.

January to June, 1987 – Pastor Marxen Dommer, retired pastor, assisted Pastor Meyer

during the interim of the associate pastor vacancy.

June 28, l987 – Pastor Michael S. Harding installed as associate pastor.

February 7, 1988 – Winter Mission Festival. Pastor Joe Judge, Associate Pastor of

Zion, Dallas, preached.

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August, 1988 - Preschool and Mother’s Day Out licensed by State of Texas. Days

and hours extended.

September 18. 1988 – Handbell Choir, under direction of Dorothy Meyer, took part

in the “Dickens on the Strand” in Galveston.

May, 1989 – Youth Choir performs “Uniquely Yours,” Joan Nilmeier and Les

Holben, directors.

June 25, 1989 – Service of celebration of pastoral career of Rev. Virgil F. Meyer,

who is retiring after twenty-seven years and ten months at Messiah.

January 27, 1990 – Michael S. Harding installed as Messiah’s senior pastor.

1990 – Mother’s Day Out and Preschool are separated from church budget into

Messiah Lutheran Lambs Early Childhood Development, Inc.

June, 1990 - Vicar Jonathen Blanke installed.

Library dedicated in honor of Pastor and Dorothy Meyer.

January 20, 1991 – Dave Rahberg is installed as Director of Christian Education.

April, 1991 – Braille center set up at Messiah.

Summer, 1991 - Scott Goltl installed as vicar at Messiah.

October, 1991 – Pastor Michael S. Harding resigns.

Spring, 1992 – Dave May heads up Habitat for Humanity project.

June 14, 1992 – The Rev. Dr. Victor J. Kollmann installed as pastor of Messiah

Lutheran Church.

June 28, 1992 – Rev. Virgil F. Meyer ordains John Elser and Michael Hafer.

Summer, 1992 - Ken Bersche installed as Messiah’s vicar.

February, 1993 - Primetimers, an organization for members 55 years and older, is

organized.

August 8, 1993 –Bill Snooks installed as Messiah’s vicar. October 24, 1993 – Congregation honors David Lineberger on his 25th anniversary of service to the Lutheran Church. April, 1994 –Rev. Thomas Sorensen is installed as Visitation Pastor.

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Summer, 1994 - Can Do: Stephanie May goes to Russia, Sam Rahberg to Slovakia. August, 1994 – Kindergarten reinstated as part of Early Childhood Program. October 1994 - Ellen Brondos installed as Parish Assistant. March 23, 1995 – Tom Landry, former head coach Dallas Cowboys, leads Bible study. Summer, 1995 – Can Do: Denise Schulze and Sandy Rahberg go to Russia, Natalie Redle to Mexico. May, 1996 - Mary Ellen Robich presented with first Texas District Sunday School Teacher of the Year award. June 16, 1996 – Twenty-one youth and adults work in Del Rio, Texas in Can Do projects. July, 1996 - Can Do: Kelly Rider, Naomi Rahberg and Dave Rahberg go to Russia. July, 1997-Messiah members sang the National Anthem at the Ballpark in Arlington for Lutheran Night, directed by Katherine Krumm. June, 1997-Daryl Bierbaum was installed as DCE. 1998-Kim Davis, DCE assistant began part-time at Messiah. 1998-Sandra Ward was appointed as Parish nurse. June, 1999-Daniel Georg was installed as Associate Pastor. January, 2001-James Otte was installed as Associate Pastor. February, 2001-Dorothy Sherrod was installed as Music Minister. March, 2001 – Congregation honors David Rahberg on his 10th year at Messiah and 23 years in service to the Lutheran Church. November, 2001-Kim Davis, DCE, begins full-time work at Messiah as Youth Minister. May, 2002-Groundbreaking ceremony for new church campus in Plano. April, 2003-Congregation honors Joan Nilmeier for 20 years of service to Messiah Lutheran Lambs. November, 2003-Moved from Richardson to Plano. January, 2004-Sent water purifiers to India for Tsunami relief. February, 2004-Dedication of first Sanctuary on Plano campus. April, 2005-Joan Nilmeier retires as Director of Messiah Lambs School.

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June, 2005 – Congregation honors James Otte on his 25th anniversary of service to the Lutheran Church. Fall, 2005-Assisted families who were victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita. June, 2006 – Congregation honors Pastor Kollmann on his 25th anniversary of service to the Lutheran Church.

August, 2006 – Gail Winningham starts as Director of Preschool.

September, 2006 – Daniel Borkenhagen was installed as Associate Pastor. December, 2006-recognition as 1 of top 5 fastest growing churches within the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. January, 2007-50th Anniversary of Messiah Lutheran church is celebrated at the Plano Center in Plano, Texas. June, 2011-Elizabeth Ledford, DCE installed as Youth Minister. August, 2011-Groundbreaking for Main Sanctuary. June, 2012, Matt Lee, DCE installed as assistant to Youth Minister. July, 2012-Pastor Welmer is installed as Associate Pastor. July, 2012-Pastor Kollmann is honored for 20 years at Messiah. October 2012-First Worship service in newly completed Sanctuary. December, 2012-Dedication Sunday for new Sanctuary with luncheon following. March, 2013-The Lamp gift shop opened its doors for members to buy small gifts and cards. Carmen Rowan serves as the Manager/Purchaser. May, 2013-Adam and Eve stained glass window installed in Sanctuary marking 1st of 12 windows depicting Old and New Testament stories. August, 2013-Remodel completed of former Sanctuary to serve as the church gymnasium. June, 2014-Amy Myers starts as Director of Preschool. February, 2015-Ellen Thorne is honored for 20 years on staff. October, 2015-Kathy Mardis is honored for 20 years on staff.

So many wonderful events have taken place over the past 60 years, but a complete listing of everything was not possible due to limited space.

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The Past

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The Present

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The Future

Future sight of Messiah Lutheran Life Center

First general drawing (not an architectural rendering)

Messiah Lutheran church began a campaign in

March, 2017 to build a Life center that will meet many ministerial needs.

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Dedication luncheon 2012-A place for large congregational gatherings that includes a kitchen and serving area.

Youth Sunday School-More space for our youth to grow in faith and in numbers.

pageant 2016-A better

programs and other music and drama events.

2010 Block Party- A more conducive setting for contemporary worship services.

The vision we strive for is a Life Center

that will serve every member

of Messiah and even those

within our community.

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We said good-bye to our original home on Beltline road in Richardson in 2003, and moved to our current home in Plano. As of 2017, we have grown by 1,109 members!

The sign on our property announcing the arrival of the Lord and His congregation, Messiah Lutheran church!

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This book was made possible by the research of many people originating in a 40th and 50th anniversary version as well as

the current 60th anniversary update.

60 YEARS OF SERVING STATISTICAL INFORMATION

Year Baptized Communicant 1957 76 44 1958 112 65 1959 191 110 1960 228 131 1961 274 154 1962 349 204 1963 371 210 1964 458 256 1965 569 326 1966 735 414 1967 834 477 1968 845 485 1969 889 531 1970 922 555 1971 915 568 1972 887 577 1973 1010 663 1974 1049 705 1975 1082 742 1976 1113 774 1977 1128 810 1978 1146 851 1979 1190 893 1980 1178 899 1981 1196 914 1982 1263 981 1983 1335 1040 1984 1365 1061 1985 1307 1002

Year Baptized Communicant 1986 1266 1010 1987 1185 945 1988 1102 901 1989 990 854 1990 994 853 1991 1006 867 1992 1005 853 1993 961 809 1994 1019 837 1995 1101 902 1996 1151 954 1997 1183 977 1998 1228 991 1999 1284 1015 2000 1308 1026 2001 1345 1046 2002 1377 1063 2003 1448 1107 2004 1570 1192 2005 1745 1338 2006 1816 1398 2007 1866 1442 2008 1985 1540 2009 2028 1582 2010 2089 1636 2011 2128 1675 2012 2160 1708 2013 2231 1764 2014 2376 1886 2015 2487 1972 2016 2557 2019

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