The Concordia Story: A Fifty-Year History of Concordia Lutheran Church 1951-2001

A staple of Crosshaven was a dramatic presentation,
directed by Mike Palmreuter, a Concordia
teacher skilled in drama and visual arts.
“Drama is a great way to reach people’s emotions,”
said Lohmeyer. “You can use it to open
up questions that the speaker can then answer
through his message.”
Lohmeyer says he would like to see more
drama utilized in Sunday morning services at
Concordia, particularly the 11 a.m. service.
That service became, in early 2000, the morning
contemporary service, featuring a praise
team, backed by a guitar and drum sound. The
same message is preached, but with different
music than at the 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. services.
Another aspect of the church’s life that dramatically
changed under Thompson was expansion of
opportunities for adults to participate in Bible
study on Sunday mornings and throughout the
week. Dr. Merkens’ Sunday morning Adult Bible
Class drew a large percentage of the congregation
into a packed gymnasium for his teaching.
The tradition of Adult Bible Class continued
under Thompson, but it was enhanced by small
group Bible study on various topics, led mostly by
lay teachers. On a Sunday morning today, Concordia
adults have no less than five options for Bible study,
plus the Discovery 101 membership class.
During weekdays, there are two men’s and
two women’s Bible study groups. Special programs,
such as parenting and marriage enrichment,
are offered periodically.
✦
Above: Concordia men engage in
building a Habitat for Humanity
house during the summer of 1999.
Right: Concordia’s women are involved
in a variety of ministries, including
making quilts for needy individuals
and baby clothes for unwed mothers in
the United States and worldwide.
Concordia’s LWML even received a
letter of thanks from Mother Teresa
for quilts sent to India. Gloria
Lindberg, left, and Hope Grunwald,
right, add stitches to a quilt.
66 ✦ THE CONCORDIA STORY