The Concordia Story: A Fifty-Year History of Concordia Lutheran Church 1951-2001
An illustrated history of Concordia Lutheran Church of San Antonio, Texas.
An illustrated history of Concordia Lutheran Church of San Antonio, Texas.
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prospective members, and over one hundred<br />
would show up.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> dedicated Elders made calls on delinquents<br />
so that <strong>Concordia</strong> remained strong internally<br />
while growing from the outside.<br />
“A huge number <strong>of</strong> <strong>Concordia</strong>ns signed up<br />
to be on the greeters and guestbook committee.<br />
We had hundreds <strong>of</strong> men and women<br />
sign up.”<br />
Eleanor Hammonds, a pr<strong>of</strong>essional nurse, <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
another example <strong>of</strong> lay service through the Health<br />
Care Committee. According to Mrs. Hammonds, a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> women <strong>of</strong> the congregation formed the<br />
Health Care Committee in the 1970’s.<br />
“We voluntarily organized ourselves,” she<br />
said, “and we bought the first wheelchair,<br />
crutches, and first aid supplies for the church to<br />
deal with any emergencies. We have taken blood<br />
pressure once a month on Sunday morning for<br />
✦<br />
Left: Bill Wagner, executive editor <strong>of</strong><br />
the San Antonio Express-News,<br />
<strong>of</strong>fered a note <strong>of</strong> appreciation to<br />
Merkens in this 1957 letter.<br />
Below: <strong>Concordia</strong>’s choir raises<br />
anthems <strong>of</strong> praise as part <strong>of</strong> Easter<br />
services in 1979.<br />
Chapter II ✦ 31
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