In May of 1962, the voters’ assembly authorized the ladies group of Faith to join the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League of the Missouri Synod. Mrs. Henry T. (Lavinia) Lohrmann served as the first president of the society. She, Nelda Eggen, and Bernice Reese were sent to San Antonio to the District LWML Convention. Their request for a $9,000 grant was approved, and Faith was now ready to purchase property for their first house of worship. Because Faith was the first established Lutheran church in Erath County, the Texas District granted $2,000 for help in the purchase of 365 North Saint Peter Street which consisted of a double lot approximately one acre and a stucco residence with a garage apartment. With a great deal of work from the members, the house was remodeled to include a fellowship room, kitchen and a screened back porch, small office, and sanctuary.

In April 1970, plans were initiated by President Charles Simpson to begin a building program since congregational growth made it necessary to expand from the house/church to a larger facility. Amos A. Eggen served as Building Chairman, and with a $6,000 grant from Texas District, a $5,000 grant from LWML Mites Project, and a bank loan, we were able to complete the new church and hold dedication services in October 1971. With God’s blessings, our congregation continued to reach out to our members and our community. In 1992 we realized that Tarleton State University was buying property that would soon surround our property, leaving us no room for growth. Since we had outgrown our Sunday school space, even the added temporary metal building, we knew it was time to make a move. After a long search for property, an ideal location with 12 acres in a growing area in Stephenville was purchased. When the congregation heard a presentation by Dick Hansen for the Laborers for Christ (a group of retired Lutherans who build facilities for Lutheran churches), the Voters directed the chairman of our Building Committee, James Synatzske, to contract with them to build our present church building at 3000 North West Loop. After eight months of construction, we dedicated our new worship and education facility to the Lord’s service in April 1996.

Faith LWML officially joined the National LWML in May of 1962 with twelve members. Thinking of church activities is synonymous with Faith LWML since all activities in the early years were tied to plans made by the women. Making paraments, making Christmons, garage sales, Lutheran World Relief mission projects…serving always. One unusual project to make money was working as waitresses for breakfast at the Worth Hotel and shaking hands with Jackie and President Kennedy the day he was assassinated. In 2006, we now have eleven members who continue to serve. In addition to the already mentioned activities, we have added some annual projects. With donations of snacks, phone cards and other useful items, we pack shoeboxes that are mailed to our college students, people serving in the Armed Forces, and people in prison. Each year at Thanksgiving and Christmas, our society gathers non-perishable food and purchases other grocery items to carry to several families in the community that are in need. Our LWML also sponsors the Christmas Angel Tree whereby members in the congregation buy requested clothing for selected families. In the spring, our society’s members gather for a retreat, and we end the year by sponsoring a church picnic. An occasional funny style show or tea adds to the activities of today’s Faith LWML.

Lutheran Student Fellowship was organized at the same time as our church in 1962. We received support from Texas District through the Campus Ministry because we were, and still are, the only Lutheran church in Erath County. Money from Campus Ministry helped fund some of the purchases for the fellowship area and the pews, altar and pulpit/lectern in the building project in 1972. Aside from local activities, some students have attended regional LSF retreats. The LSF Tarleton students now meet on Sunday nights at 6:00 P.M.

Faith Lutheran Youth (FLY) this year is planning to do a mission project with LINC in the Ft. Worth/Dallas Metroplex. Part of the day will be spent helping with VBS and part of the day working on projects in the Inner City churches. The youth have bake goods and jewelry sales and do various jobs for members of the congregation. In the past FLY has been on several camping trips, worked on servant events, and attended national and district youth gatherings.

Altar Guild officially started in 1980 and includes eight members currently who take care of preparing the altar and communion ware, Advent wreath, training acolytes, and changing banners.

Calling in Love was established in 1990 to make immediate weekly contact to visitors from Sunday services, for lay people to make connections with guests, and to contact delinquent members to learn what could be done to bring them back to regular attendance. An outgrowth of the program is the Greeter Program where specific people meet and greet people as they come to worship.

Seniors Alive In the Lord (SAIL) began meeting in 1995 to have an informal time to gather and enjoy friends and food while learning more about God’s Word. Programs cover a wide variety of subjects such as: Bible study, health information, travel and congregational information. In February 2006, we had our first dessert silent auction and earned $525 that was given to the seven teachers at Faith School for supplies.

Men’s Breakfast at Faith meet on the second Saturday morning of each month. After a time of study, there is usually work time. Projects include erecting a playground, helping clean and wax tile floors, cleaning and repairing jobs at the church and Faith Family Center.

Faith School Mission The continuing blessings from God have enriched our membership since our move to the present building. A steady growth has brought about the need to expand. Adding a three- and four-year old pre-school program helped the congregation realize the next need. After discussing the area of growth, in 2002 our membership committed to a building program for a gym with a stage and classrooms facility. Our school has grown from a morning class for 3 and 4 year olds, three years ago, to an all-day childcare ministry. Our faith-based curriculum serves 89 children for 2-4 year olds and day care for one year olds. We also have after-school care for children of members of our congregation. Well over half of all the children in Faith School are from families not in our congregation. Our Faith School Mission has added three families to our membership this last year alone.

Special Joy is another important ministry that our church has entered. Through Cathy Knoll’s leadership, the Special Joy program serves people with special needs and their households. Three newly baptized members with their families have been added to our growth. God has blessed us with people who travel as far as 30 miles to attend the Special Joy services held in the sanctuary during the Sunday school hour. Many families have commented that it is a blessing to have a church that accepts special needs people who can worship without fear of disrupting the service.

Reflection Two of our charter members, Nelda Eggen and Bernice Reese, share their testimonies with words of encouragement. “Thank God for all of His blessings that He always provides.” As we at Faith Lutheran Church face challenges in our congregational life, we need to remember their words of advice, “Where is your faith?” Just as we at Faith Lutheran Church have had to repaint and repair or build anew, we look to God with thanks for the many services our congregation has performed for its members and community and pray that our hearts and souls will stay in good repair and ready to do God’s work willingly.

Pastor’s Preview Pastor Tom Konz shares his vision in the following way. As we build on what has been started, we do so with humble anticipation of how God’s Spirit will bring growth in numbers and in faith. Through continued preaching and teaching of the Word and faithful administration of the Sacrament, Faith Lutheran will continue to grow. It is part of our heritage and reputation here to be the place that welcomes the community into its doors through various events and programs. All we can do is to be faithful to God and loving toward people. As we reach out with care and hold fast to the Christ centered faith, no doubt people will respond to the love of God that they see in God’s people. To that end, we continue under our mission statement: “To grow in faith, share the hope of Christ, and reach all in love.”