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October 13, 2007 6:00 p.m.
Master of Ceremonies: Henrik
Welcome by Congregational Chairperson: Anne
Table Grace: Rev. Samuel King-Kabu
(Tune: Edelweiss)
Bless our friends, bless our food, Come, O Lord, and sit with us.
May our talk glow with peace, May your wisdom surround us.
Friendship and love may it bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow forever. Bless our friends, bless our food,
Come, O Lord, and sit with us.
Introduction of the head table
Dinner
Dessert and Music Entertainment
Skit: Anne & Margarita
Special Music: (St. Ansgar's at 80 written by Svend)
Guest Speaker: Rev. Thomas Zumbrock
Remarks from guests, friends and members
Slide presentation
Hymn: The Church of Christ, In every Age
The Church of Christ, in every age
Beset by change, but Spirit led,
Must claim and test its heritage
And keep on rising from the dead.
Across the world, across the street,
The victims of injustice cry
For shelter and for bread to eat,
nd never live before they die.
Then let the servant Church arise,
A caring Church that longs to be
A partner in Christ's sacrifice,
And clothed in Christ's humanity.
For he alone, whose blood was shed,
Can cure the fever in our blood,
And teach us how to share our bread
And feed the starving multitude.
We have no mission but to serve
In full obedience to our Lord;
To care for all, without reserve,
And spread his liberating Word.
Closing Prayer/Benediction: the Rev. Guenter Dahle
(Assistant to the Bishop)
Many thanks to our guests, members, and friends for attending this evening's celebration of God's Faithfulness for 80 years of ministry. Your presence has been appreciated and may God continue to bless us all. St. Ansgar would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all who made this celebration possible and a great success. Thank you to the Anniversary Planning Committee, and the congregation for all your hard work. Your contribution of time, energy and effort is most appreciated. None of this would have been possible were it not for your awesome dedication.
We cordially invite everyone of you to join us for Eucharistic Worship Service tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m. as we continue our celebration of our 80th year in ministry to others.
Master of Ceremonies: Henrik
Congregational Chairperson: Anne
Guest Speaker: the Rev. Thomas Zumbrock
Benediction: the Rev. Guenter Dahle
Pianist: Linda
Soloist: Thomas Leslie
Skit: Anne & Margarita
Violinist: Peter
Anniversary Song: Svend
In 1927, Pastor John M Jensen who was a travelling minister was asked to form a permanent Danish Lutheran Church in Montreal. It was formally established that year and in 1930 it was incorporated. The needs of the new immigrants were quite pressing in those days and Pastor John M Jensen found himself meeting new immigrants at the train station, helping them find employment and even teaching them English in his home. At first St. Ansgar's Church held their services at the German Church on Jeanne Mance. But in 1928 the congregation rented a four-storey house. They converted it to house the church meetings and administration.
St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church became a focal point for the Danish community. The young people's group, Dansk Luthersk Sammensluttet Ungdom had weekly meetings of 75 young people and the Danish Lutheran Ladies' Aid a volunteer service and social group were founded in 1928.
In 1938 Under Pastor Beck, a high priority was set on finding a suitable property to purchase and one was found on Dorchester. The seller: none other than Georges Vanier, a Canadian diplomat and later Governor General of Canada Renovations began in the fall of 1939.
By the mid-1940's St. Ansgar's congregation was changing to include more non-Danes and children of Danes. Many of them did not speak Danish Eventually (in the 1970's) the name 'Danish' was dropped and the church became known simply as St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church
In 1950 St. Ansgar's church achieved full equity in the property on Dorchester and celebrated by burning the mortgage. Expansion plans to accommodate the growing congregation commenced in 1952 with additions to the Sanctuary and meeting room. But these solutions were only temporary. The congregation needed even more space. Parking was also an issue on Dorchester Boulevard.
Under Pastor Jensen the church was re-located to Notre Dame de Grace. In 1963 the corner stone was laid by Pastor Emeritus Vilhelm Beck and the first services were held within a year in our present location.
Since then St. Ansgars Lutheran Church has seen many people walked in and out of the doors of this church some through water baptism, affirmation of faith others through marriage, others came broken in spirit, mind, and body but found healing and wholeness in this congregation as they were embraced with love and acceptance.
In 2004, Pastor Samuel was called to this church as our full-time pastor, from pastoring two congregations to one, and this event was celebrated with a glorious and inspiring installation service. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history and ministry of St. Ansgar Lutheran Church A ministry that looks forward, not backward, because when our memories exceed our dreams, then life is over. Memories are good, but dreams are better. Therefore we must allow ourselves to dream new dreams, for the Christian life is predicated by what we know in God
On November 27, 2005 a set of new Advent paraments (frontals) and banners were dedicated. The paraments and one of the banners have the same subject: Four Advent candles and three stars above. The white star is the star of Bethlehem. The four candles are for the four Sundays in Advent. The paraments, designed by Jette Blair, were machine- embroidered at 'Bertrand, Foucher & Bélanger' in Montreal. The banners, also designed by Jette Blair, were hand-sewn by Anne-Marie Jorgensen and Jette. Also two wooden candle-holders on the altar made by Pastor Samuel and four small banners on the advent wreath, that read Hope, Love, Joy and Peace were given by Pastor Samuel and his family in memory of their mother.
Missionary work is a highly important endeavour at St. Ansgar mirrored by dedicated individuals who serve the Lord in far away places. Linda Tae, for example, in 2006, spent 5 weeks in China teaching English with the Amity Foundation. Her daughter, Mari, has followed in her footsteps, and has worked for Habitat for Humanity in Honduras, among other organizations. St. Ansgar also supports Bonnie Weppler's work in Papau New Guinea (ELCIC missionary), and Zerf Productions, an organization that works with children with HIV/AIDS in Eastern and Southern Africa
Whether locally, nationally, or abroad our congregation members serve and give continuously in an effort to affect and alleviate human suffering in our world. St. Ansgar for the past four years has opened its Church building sharing its sanctuary for worship with three ethnic congregations which has been a real blessing to us all. As mission for others Pastor Samuel is actively involve in on going interfaith dialogue in our community believing that we all derive our existence from a common origin and we all share a common purpose and destiny. We are one human family created by God. And "Living for the sake of others" enables reconciliation that has divided the human family.
Our hearts our touched by God's grace giving thanks for all that God has done in our every day life and we celebrate with thanksgiving and praise. God's faithfulness to his people is seen in his preservation of the Church through all the ravages and persecutions of history.
In celebrating 80 years of ministry at St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, let us stop dreaming the little dreams and start expanding the dreams of the founding mothers and fathers of this congregation, and our own horizons. We have taken a leap of faith to refurbish the outside of our building and we trust God will provide the means to meet our financial needs. Our potential will never be reached if we set limits on God
God is the center of the Church and He alone is to be exalted and the Church is to be governed by his grace. Believing that God is able to make a way when there is no way. We have come together tonight to give thanks and sincere gratitude from the heart. He is a marvelous God!
Rev. John M. Jensen 1926 -1937
Rev. Vilhelm Beck 1938 -1959
Rev. Frederik Jensen 1959 -1965
Rev. Harry Carlson 1965 -1967
Rev. Sid Nelson 1968 -1981
Rev. Marat Holobow 1981 -1989
Rev. Derk-Michael. Strauch 1986 -1996
Rev. Thomas Zumbrock (interim) 1996 -1998
Rev. Samuel K King-Kabu 1998-
Melody: Battle Hymn of the Republic
In 1927 group of Danish Lutherans,
They got together and decided there would be a chance
To form a congregation that could grow and prosper well,
For years In Montreal.
So, they form'd a congregation,
So, they form'd a congregation,
So, they form'd a congregation,
And called it St. Ansgar
J. Jensen was the founding Pastor, follow' Vilhelm Beck,
Then Frederik Jensen, Harry Carlsen and Sid Nelson next,
Then Marat Holobow was followed by Derk Michael Strauch,
Thom Zumbrock after Strauch.
Samuel, our Pastor now, yes.
Samuel, our Pastor now, yes.
Samuel, our Pastor now, yes.
Pastor Samuel King-Kabu.
For many years the Church was on Dorchester Avenue,
The congregation being small, apartment had to do,
It served as church and Pastor's Office, Residence as well,
No tower for a Bell.
But, the congregation growing,
But, the congregation growing,
But, the congregation growing,
Need build a bigger church.
In 64 St. Ansgar's moved to where it is today,
In 1980 mortgage burned, the last instalment paid.
With children's daycare Ansgar's is a very liv'ly place
Beck Hall a busy place.
Ansgar's, always full of life, yes
Ansgar's, always full of life, yes
Ansgar's, always full of life, yes
Not just on Sunday morn.
It now is eighty years since St. Ansgar's Church was born,
And people faithful to this church have come on Sunday mor'n,
To hear the Pastor's sermon and their voices loudly raise
Sing Hymns to God in Praise
Happy Anniversary to,
Happy Anniversary to,
Happy Anniversary to,
Old St. Ansgar's Church
-Svend