Dad

Today would have been my dad's 98th birthday.  Dad was born and raised in Wittenberg, Missouri.  Dad was what I describe as a typical man from the Perry County.  He was soft-spoken, hard-working, and faithful.  He could join in the fun when he and his brothers and sisters would revert back to speaking German while telling their stories.  Dad fought in WWII, and from the few accounts that I know, he had to face some incredibly difficult situations in North Africa and Italy.  I don't think he ever missed church unless his health kept him away, and that did not happen often until late in life. I am very thankful for what my father did for me.  I'd like to think that I have taken on some of my his traits. 

New Year's Eve 1838

The first shipload of German immigrants landed in the city of New Orleans on New Year's Eve in 1838.  They were looking forward to seeing what their new homeland would be like.  What they saw, however, were the wild celebrations that a group of people were having as they welcomed in a New Year.  The conservative group was not impressed with what they saw.  They were all the more repulsed when they viewed the slavery which was common there.  These people were happy to leave that area to travel up the Mighty Mississippi to what would become their new home.  This experience in New Orleans may well have contributed to these people desiring to stick to their Biblical values in the years to come.

Zion Roots

The Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum has genealogical research materials available which are known as Zion Roots.  These materials are located in a room dedicated to this kind of research.  The materials there can enable a descendant of the original immigrants to find valuable information about their ancestors.  It really is pretty incredible.  I know of people who have found the exact home in which their ancestors lived back in Germany and have gone there to visit that home.  Much credit for these materials can be given to Ken Craft, who has worked tirelessly on this project.  A short video explaining these research tools can be viewed on the museum website.  You can find this link at the bottom of this page.

Children's Christmas Service

My wife, Sandi, and I attended the Christmas Eve Children's Service here at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg.  I know the stories which are told around here indicate that these children's services were held back in the days when church services were held on the second floor of the Loeber house, before the first church building was erected here.  The story of Christmas told in simple words taken right from Scripture, and the hymns sung by both the children and the congregation make this tradition one which is well worth the time and effort.  It is indeed a great part of the Christmas celebration here in Perry County and in Lutheran congregations all over our country and world.

C.F.W.Walther

When I was a youth, one highlight was the Walther League which met at our Lutheran church in St. Louis.  That youth organization within the LCMS was named after C.F.W. Walther.  Walther was one of the immigrants who arrived in Perry County in 1839.  He was one of the pastors who made the trip from Germany, although he was not the leader.  Walther did not spend much time in Perry County, leaving after a few short years to become a pastor in St. Louis.  He also went on to become the first President of what later came to be named the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  Much can be said about Walther's contributions to Lutheranism in America.  His teachings and writings did much to establish the theology and practices of the LCMS. 

Luther's Walk in the Woods

It has become a tradition at the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum in Altenburg to decorate the museum with Christmas trees.  This year there are 36 thematic trees on exhibit.   These trees will be in the museum until about January 15th.  They are really very beautiful and many have a story to tell about the Saxon immigration.  The museum is open every day from 10 am till 4 pm.  It will be closed on Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1.  It really is a very pleasant walk through the woods.