HR1490 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1490 LRB096 24362 KXB 43949 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the pastor and congregation of Saint Stephen Lutheran Church in Antioch on their 45th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, On September 13, 1964, Mission Developer and Minister Wilton Anderson arrived in Antioch to investigate the possibility of establishing a new Lutheran ministry in the area; on December 6, 1964, the first Sunday morning worship service was held, followed by a new choir and Sunday School being started on January 10, 1965; and

WHEREAS, On April 4, 1965 the Charter for organization of the church was opened and Organizational Sunday was held on May 2, 1965; and

WHEREAS, The congregation originally met at the Antioch Community High School; on December 3, 1967, the newly constructed church was dedicated; and

WHEREAS, After Pastor Anderson's ministry ended in August of 1979, Pastor Charles Miller began his ministry in February of 1980; Pastor Miller led the construction of a 5,400 foot expansion that was dedicated in 1988; Pastor Miller retired the same year; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Black served from 2000 to 2006; Pastor Ellen Arthur has served since July 2008; many of the programs include Headstart, Weight Watchers, and the Boy Scouts of America, the Open Arms Mission, Habitat for Humanity, the Relay for Life, and many other community programs; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the pastor and congregation of Saint Stephen Lutheran Church and wish them the best in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the congregation of Saint Stephen Lutheran Church as a symbol of our respect and esteem.