We will provide an environment:
Our Missions:
Voter’s Assembly
The Voter’s Assembly is made up of the men and women of the congregation who have sought to become members. Members are eligible to be nominated for church office after one year. Officers include the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Elders, Trustees and Finance Committee. Excerpts taken from The Cairo Record – March 18, 1921.
Seventeen members of Christ Lutheran Church signed the first constitution. The church received its name from Mrs. Hanse J. Harder, who suggested Christ Lutheran, and this was adopted by all members. As of our 100th Anniversary celebration, there were 81 members of the Voter’s Assembly meeting on a quarterly basis. The Voters have been busy noting some of the following meeting minute entries:
April, 1991 – It was moved and seconded that Christ Lutheran would purchase 4 stoles for Scott Spiehs’ ordination into the Office of the Holy Ministry. This is even more significant because Scott is the first son of this congregation to enter the ministry.
October, 1992 – The Voter’s Assembly, after much deliberation, decided to paint the Sanctuary the same color as the Fellowship Hall. This is the first time in 30 years that the Sanctuary had been repainted.
October, 1992 – The Voters of Christ Lutheran moved to purchase 120 volumes of “Lutheran Worship” to be used in our regular worship service.
January, 1995 – The Voter’s Assembly decided to build a new garage for the parsonage limiting construction to 1,024 square feet with a budget of $4,000.
April 21, 2013 – Voted to revise the church constitution to allow women as voting members and elected offices of the church except Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Elder.
July 14, 2019 – Pastor Brian reported an additional $5,000 in grant monies from the Nebraska District of the LCMS for the recent Nebraska 2019 Flood Victims within our communities.
January 4, 2021 – The first All Church Boards Meeting was held with devotions at 6:45 p.m., organizational meetings from 7-8:00 p.m. and a Missions and Ministry (M&M) meeting at 8:00 p.m. This will be the new tradition of encouraging all organizations to meet this first Monday evening of each month and sharing their meeting agenda with the M&M committee.
February 21, 2021 – A Special Meeting of the Voter’s Assembly was held to vote on the new stained glass for the sanctuary. Voter’s agreed to purchase new stained glass for the east window at a cost of $50,000 and new clear glass for the west window at a cost of $28,000.
Ladies Aid Society
The Ladies Aid of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Christ adopted their constitution on May 28,1942 with 18 members. Members met at their homes for monthly meetings. The first year the Ladies Aid gave of their time and talents to the Red Cross in Cairo. Rev. Marwede was the pastor. After the basement was finished, meetings were held at the church.
Emma Poehler’s farm sale was the first sale of many the Ladies Aid served lunch. Lunches were served at sales until 1957.
In 1945 the Ladies Aid decided to buy silverware for the church (buying paper forks and spoons was a nuisance and expensive in the long run). On March 28, 1946, the ladies wanted to build cupboards for the kitchen in the church basement, but due to the freezing of lumber by the government (lumber was scarce), the outlook was discouraging. On October 25, 1945, the Ladies Aid joined with the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. The ladies hosted the first LWML Rally in Cairo on May 12, 1949. The LWML Convention in New Orleans on June 9, 1955 was cancelled due to Racial Segregation Laws.
In May, 1954, the Ladies Aid made the first annual booklets designating hostesses for the year.
The Ladies Aid helped in many ways in the startup of the Lutheran Memorial Hospital. Mission Festival noon meals and afternoon lunches were served by the Ladies Aid.
Furnishings for the parsonage, and later the new church, kept the Ladies Aid busy for many years.
The Ladies Aid are now collecting clothing and bedding for Lutheran World Relief. This is their yearly project.
In 1975, the “Worthy Cause” project was begun to support various Christian charities and those in the local community needing financial assistance, and currently funds 15-20 causes each year. The members serve coffee the first Sunday of each month with donations going toward this fund.
The Ladies Aid has continued their mission of supporting activities for the church and the community. Greeting card sales has been added as a service to the church members. The group decorates the Fellowship Hall for different church seasons and participates in preparing Christmas cheer plates for community shut-ins.
Walther League
The Walther League of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Christ formed a charter on July 1, 1942. Membership included Loretta Dankert, Marion Dankert, Marion Dibbern, Pete Dibbern, William Dibbern, Allan Hadenfeldt, Lillie Kroeger, Wayne Nunnenkamp, Wilbur Peters, Arnold Schultz, Donald Schultz, Arlene Tagge, Evelyn Tagge, Ramona Tagge, Viola Tagge, and Lois Peters.
The group was kept busy selling devotional books at 5 cents each, Christmas cards and Christmas seals. Each month Rev. Marwede had a Bible study.
In 1943, the League sent boxes to men in the service from the church. Religious calendars were sold this year. This same year Rev. Marwede made the motion that the League go in teams for pledges toward a basement for the church. Motion carried.
January 7, 1945 – the League’s treasurer’s report was audited by Arnold Daubendich, Chris Knoepfel and Richard Stienke.
Rev. Kreitzer was the pastor in 1945, and our Christmas social was held at the parsonage in Wood River.
Sunday School
Some of the early members of Sunday School started back when Lorraine Harders was just a little girl. This was in the old church and her Sunday School teacher was Gertrude Ruff. Sunday School was held in the back of the church in the pews. In 1943, the basement was put under the church and Sunday School was moved there with cloth dividers separating the classes. In 1963, our church was built with enough spaces for five classes. This just didn’t seem to be enough room, so in 1975 three additional rooms were built. August 8, 2004 was the dedication of the new Sunday School rooms added on to the west end of the building.
Rally Day and Installation of Sunday School teachers happens in August of each year. Through the years the children along with the LYF have provided the Christmas Eve worship service. The children have also shared their faith through a children’s choir singing during worship services and special events. In the last 25 years the ministers have provided a children’s message during worship.
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML)
LWML at Christ Lutheran of Cairo was formed in October 1945. According to records dating back to July 1968, meetings were held four times a year on the second Tuesday of January, April, July and October. All ladies of the church were invited to the meetings and mite box offerings were gathered.
The following is the original history of LWML as noted by Viola Steinke:
“Some ladies of the Aid noticed that there were not too many of the younger women of our church joining, in fact, we had lost a few members who had joined and dropped out. So in April of 1968 the ladies helped organize the Chancel and Sewing Guilds in order to meet this need. These guilds had their own officers, meetings and projects. The LWML was then composed of the members of all three societies, with the Vice-President from each being the officers. It seems we never knew who the officers were of each society, so the “yearbook” evolved, listing the officers, dates and hostesses of each society. This has truly been a good set up. We are blessed in that three of our members belong to both the Aid and Sewing Guild: Anita Brundage, Betty Rohweder and Marion Schultz. God’s blessings to them. They have truly been wonderful members of each society.”
In April of 1992, new bylaws were adopted whereas the officers of LWML were elected. The elected offices are: President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer. The President then appoints members to the offices of Christian Growth Chairman, Assistant Christian Growth Chairman, Member Development Chairman and Historian. Membership to LWML is any member belonging to a Circle of Christ Lutheran Church. Any congregational member not belonging to a circle may join by expressing interest of being a member of LWML to the President. Meetings are still held quarterly, only in the months of March, June, October, and December. The second Tuesday is still considered LWML night. Mite box donations are still collected and babysitting is provided.
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) objectives are:
To develop and maintain a greater mission of consciousness among the women of the congregation through mission education, mission inspiration and mission service;
To foster and support the program and objectives of the LWML on the zone, district and international levels;
To fulfill our task to further the work of our Lord, Jesus Christ, by gathering funds for mission projects of the district and international LWML by means of mite boxes distributed among the members;
And to strengthen the faith of women of the congregation by promoting participation in personal and group Bible study.
Just like all things, our LWML has changed from the initial beginning to today. However, the mission and goals of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League still stands strong at Christ Lutheran Church in Cairo.
Fourth Convention – The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Hotel Commodore – N.Y. July 25, 1951 (The lady beneath the arrow located at the top right of the photo is Mrs. Clara (Hugo) Harders, she was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Cairo NE.)
99’ers
The young married couples group was organized November 14, 1954 under the direction of Rev. P. Schmidt. The combined age of each couple was set at 99 and the name of the club was “the 99’ers.”
Each meeting consisted of a Bible study, business meeting and social hour.
It was this group that first installed highway signs for our church.
They also started the scholarship fund for members of our church in school for church work.
The 99’ers had a baptismal font built.
April 13, 1958 – the 99’ers voted to join the Lutheran Laymen’s League.
A homemade ice cream social was held for many years sponsored by the 99’ers.
In 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1962, the 99’ers planted corn on our church acres.
May 12, 1963 – the 99’ers met for the first time in the new church. The evening was spent washing dishes purchased for the church.
The first set of alter paraments were made by the 99’ers.
August 16, 1964 – Ice Cream Social – served 28 gallons of ice cream, 14 cakes and 14 pies.
January 10, 1965 – 99’ers started serving coffee and rolls after services. Money to go to the building fund.
March 27, 1966 – The 99’ers had a supper at Driesbach’s with 11 couples attending.
November 8, 1970 – The 99’ers planted a row of trees west of the church.
January 10, 1971 – Last record of minutes
Sewing Guild
Christ Lutheran Sewing Guild was organized on April 10, 1968 while Rev. Walter Lemmermann was pastor.
During the first years we met evenings in member homes. Later we met at the Fellowship Hall in the church. We purchased three sewing machines and used the large tables. The first project was to make twelve confirmation robes. Each year we re-hem the robes to fit the current class and then wash and press them and so they are ready for Confirmation Day. We also made two acolyte robes, tablecloths and drapes for the parsonage, church office and Sunday School rooms. Other projects in past years were slippers from wash cloths, and bibs and lap robes for local rest homes. We made hospital gowns from men’s white shirts, rolled bandages and donated baby clothes.
Our largest project was the numerous quilts we put together from used and new material and donated to the Lutheran World Relief. Maternity clothes and blankets have also been sewn for Birthright and pajamas for the Project Nightie to be given to those in need in Hall County. The Sewing Guild participated in the Mission Fair held in December of 1969 at our church. We’ve helped with Zone LWML Rally’s and quarterly LWML meetings. Our December meetings for a few years were spent at the Nebraska Veteran’s Home in Grand Island visiting the patients, writing letters and doing some patching for them. We presented a religious skit during the Chautauqua held in Cairo. Quilts were given to local families who lost their belongings due to fire.
During the last few years, the ladies of our church held a Sewing Day in January, February, and March. Good fellowship, food and quilts were sewn to be given to Lutheran World Relief and Orphan Grain Train. During the years since our organization, we have had many members, and as times change, moves are made and life changes, we have lost many members.
Chancel Guild
Chancel Guild of Christ Lutheran Church first met on April 17, 1968 with thirteen members. Rev. Walter Lemmermann was the advisor.
Communion and Baptism linens were made in September 1968 and the ladies assumed the care of the altar in October. In 1970, a Lenten banner became the first of many made by the Guild and was quickly followed by a Baptism banner. That same year, Mrs. Ernest (Lula) Harders crocheted the cross that still adorns one of the communion veils today. The ladies spent 1971 making the numerous Chrismons which currently decorate our Christmas tree and Fellowship Hall throughout the Christmas season. The Guild began making individual Baptism banners and napkins in 1976 for each child baptized into our congregation. These are still made for the children today.
As part of LWML, Chancel Guild alternated with the Ladies Aid and the Sewing Guild hosting the quarterly meetings until 1992 when LWML became a separate organization. Their main project for LWML was collecting soap scraps to send to Lutheran World Relief.
Their purpose remains the care of the sanctuary and its furnishings, as stated in the constitution adopted in April, 1969. General duties include seeing the chancel is clean, the alter brasses are polished, the candles are filled, the paraments are correct, the Communion vessels are ready when needed, flowers are arranged, and all is ready for the worship service. Following worship, they see all things are cleaned and stored in the proper places and the chancel is in proper order. As women make their homes as beautiful as possible for their loved ones, so they, loving God above all things, want to make His house and our worship of Him even more beautiful than our private homes.
Fellowship Club
The Fellowship Club was organized on January 7, 1973. Rev. McLachlan led Bible lessons each month and the rest of the meeting was held in fellowship. A picnic for the congregation was held each summer in the Cairo Park and a chili supper each winter. The Fellowship Club bought 14 tons of rock for the church perimeter. Pastor Going had Bible studies from 1977 through 1982. At Christmas time, Fellowship members went caroling. The club had as many as 30 members who worked with a lot of enthusiasm for many years.
Lutheran Youth Fellowship
As long as can be remembered, there has been a “youth group” at Christ Lutheran Church. For years there was the Walther League, then Teens for Christ, and since 1979, Lutheran Youth Fellowship (LYF). Even though the name has changed, the objectives remain the same. This group works to keep young people from the community involved in the church through Bible study, Christian fellowship and recreation, and active participation in mission work at home and abroad.
Some activities of the LYF include participation in the Christmas Eve Service, serving fellowship on the third and fifth Sundays and Advent/Lenten meals throughout the year, the Valentine’s Banquet, Easter Breakfast, the 4th of July Barbecue, and roadside cleanup. Participation in these activities help foster Christ-centered fellowship and earn the LYF members funds to participate in a bi-annual ski trip, as well as the Nebraska District Youth Gathering (held every two years), and the National Youth Gathering (held once every three years). These activities are open to youth of the church who have completed confirmation, as well as many friends from the community who are invited to get to know Christ further.
55+ Christmas Party
A Christmas supper party was started for members of our congregation who are 55 years and older in 1990. Each year a committee is in charge of planning the supper and entertainment. Attendance has been from 35 to 51 for a fun evening of fellowship for the older people of our church.
Quilting Circle
The Quilting Circle was organized as a result of a survey taken by the LWML in 1991. Several ladies showed an interest. The Quilting Circle meets the first and third Tuesday of each month. The quilting frame used was made and donated by Wayne Schmidt. The quilt tops are mostly machine pieced by some of the members. The group is small, but they have been able to complete at least one quilt a year. Completed quilts are donated to the Cairo Fire Department. They use them as a fund raiser. The proceeds are used at their discretion. The Quilting Circle stopped meeting in the early 2000’s.
Hospitality Circle
The Hospitality Circle was organized on October 15, 1992. The circle’s main purpose is to provide food and service for meals after funerals. The coordinator is the contact person for the circle. All women of the church are organized into three work groups with co-chairmen leading each group. The groups alternate serving and, when it is their turn, the co-chairmen contact the ladies of their group asking for food and service. Donations received by the circle are used to provide supplies for the kitchen and other special purchases, which benefit the church, as approved by the circle. As of July, 1996, the Hospitality Circle has served approximately 1,150 people with 101 ladies serving 11 funerals. As of December, 2020, the Circle has served over 8,400 people at 73 funerals.
Men’s Breakfast Bible Study
The Men’s Bible Study started in 1997 meeting every Wednesday morning. They also started a Breakfast Bible Study in 1999 meeting the second Wednesday morning of each month followed by a short devotion. Breakfast usually included biscuits and gravy and plenty of coffee.
Adult Choir
As long as can be remembered, our church has had an Adult Choir. The mission of the Adult Choir is: “United in a love for our Lord and a desire to use our gifts to serve Him, the mission of the Christ Lutheran Choir is to add to the worship experience by singing special music and to introduce/lead the congregation in new songs.” The Christ Lutheran Choir is comprised of people who love to sing God’s praises. 2021 Members include Lisa Wright, Taryn Wright, Gary Harders, Charity Adams, Nancy Harders, Kassidy Gascho, Brent Gascho, Jan Hadenfeldt, Dick Hadenfeldt, Kim Dibbern, Dorothy Schultz, Carly Callahan, Paul Wilhelm, Peg Hadenfeldt, Lynda Sundberg, Laura Spatz, Alyssa McAfee, Gordon Bredthauer, Jessica Schroeder, Bev Gilbert, Steve Hansen, Kristen Harders
Mission & Ministry Committee (M&M)
The Mission & Ministry Committee was formed January 3, 2007 and consisted of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary of Voter’s Assembly, a senior member from Board of Trustees, one member of Finance Committee, one senior member of Board of Elders, and a senior member of Board of Education. The Pastor serves as the advisor to the committee. The M&M Committee shall have the power to develop policies as required to execute the goals approved by the Voter’s Assembly. The committee has no authority beyond that which has been conferred upon them by the constitution.
ABC Daycare and Preschool
The doors opened at All Belong to Christ Daycare and Preschool for the first day on May 27, 2008 to care for children of working families within the community with a capacity of 75 children. The use of the building for these services has been a mission of Christ Lutheran Church each year since it opened. A Daycare board consists of seven congregation members with officers voted on during the annual budget and election meeting of the church. This board includes one Elder, one Trustee, one Board of Education and four members at large. This board meets every month to discuss the day to day needs of the Childcare and Preschool.
Moses – Comfort Dog Ministry
In August 2012, Christ Lutheran Church collaborated with Lutheran Church Charities and began the mission work of the K-9 Comfort Dog ministry with Moses, a golden retriever that is a trained Comfort Dog. Moses and the ministry team interacts with people at churches, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, events, and in disaster response situations. Moses and the ministry team participate in local events as well as national events. The team has traveled over 30,000 miles with Moses all over the country. Moses is a friend who brings a calming influence and allows people to open up their hearts and receive help for what is affecting them. The mission of the ministry is to provide mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ.
**Please Note: Excerpts of “100 Years of Missions at Christ Lutheran Church” were taken from the 75th Anniversary History Book with some additions. Additional history was obtained from the Cairo Roots Museum. Scrapbooks have been completed with pictures and history from members past and present.