Celebrating 200 Years in Delaware County

200 years ago in Delaware County! Families had a vision. Their young ones had a dream. Uncertain of what the future held, they built a church. They constructed a community of faith that would Proclaim the Grace of God, Teach the Word of God, Serve the People of God So that all may come to Believe. January 28, 1821, the first Lutheran Church was born in our county – St. Mark’s Lutheran Church!

The elders of the congregation would take the time to weekly prepare for worship over the years. Making sure the sanctuary was up-kept, they tended to their house of worship. They swept. They dusted. The little things were not minute. Getting ready for worship was a job and joy. Placing paraments, trimming candles or preparing the meal, the people made sure that their house was cared for being always ready for family and guests – invited and unexpected. All were always welcome.

Teaching the Word of God was done with much care. The children would gather for early instruction in the faith. The stories of faith would take on life in Sunday School Classes. Intentionally trying to share the faith would lead the development of Vacation Bible School and Amazing Grace Day Camp and other learning ministries. Nothing would stop the Word of God from being taught in the community of faith’s collective mind. Learning from the family of faith in the family of faith was foundational to their mission and vision.

The leaders of the congregation dirtied their hands over the years. Serving the people of God inside the community of faith and in the community around them was integral to their work. Their neighbors mattered to them. People in Need, Family Promise, First Fridays, the list of service done and rendered is too extensive to capture in totality.

But the faithful from the beginning until now did all this with one purpose…So that all may come to Believe! People coming to believe in Christ was their purpose through the years and is our purpose now.
Your family and you are a part of this lived vision and this realized dream.

Your family and you really are! As families who are now part of the Lutheran heritage in Delaware County, our faith history proceeds us in so many ways. Continuing to construct a community of faith that Goes, Loves, Encourages and Nurtures ALL People in Christ’s Name may be our mission, it is still born out of the same Gospel that tells us to Go! Make disciples of all nations. It is born out of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

While St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church will begin its 200th year of worshipping as a community of faith this Sunday, worship with us at All Shepherds in the communion of saints at 8:00AM, 9:30AM and 11:11AM. We will livestream at the last two worships. Not only will we gather around Word and Sacrament, but we will gather around the Word and Sacrament that has been celebrated in Delaware County for over 200 years. You are part of rich faith heritage that connects us in God’s name so join us.

Shepherding the Shepherds,
Pastor Craig Richter