Members of the Good Shepherd Lutheran congregation listen to Rev. Bo Baumeister's sermon during the 10:30 a.m. service last Sunday in the church's newest addition. The service preceeded the dedication service of the church's addition and celebration of 30 years in Gretna.

Good Shepherd
Lutheran celebrates
30 years in Gretna

What started 30 years ago as a 39-member parish meeting in the town hall has grown into a church nearing 1,200 members. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church celebrated its 30th Anniversary, 1979-2009, in Gretna this past Sunday with worship in their recently completed 13,694 square-foot addition.

Below is a brief timeline of the church's growth during the past 30 years:

1978: Nov. 5: The first Sunday Worship services were held in Gretna Town Hall with 39 people attending.

1979: April 12: The Articles of Incorporation were adopted following the first Maundy Thursday Vespers Communion Service. Nov. 4: Charter Sunday was held in the Gretna Town Hall.

1980: June 5: A contract was signed with contractor Harold G. Wright of Blair to build a new church for $634,450.
July 27: Rev. Martin Stahl was installed as the first ordained pastor of Good Shepherd; this service included the goundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new church building southwest of Hwy. 370 and 204th Street. Baptized membership reached 100 by the end of the year.

1981: March 22: The first service was held in the new building. A footnote read: "No heat, no lights, and nothing else inside except cement. Attendance 101."
June 28: A dedication was held for the new building.

1987: June 28: Rev. Gary Werling from Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury was installed as Good Shepherd's third pastor.

1992: February 10: A strategic Planning Committee met and recommended the congregation begin to plan a new education wing along with parking within five years as membership reached 300 by year's end.

1995: April 21: A new Allen electronic digital organ was dedicated after the congregation raised over $30,000 in just over a year to purchase the organ.

1997: March 2: A second Sunday morning service was added to accomodate growth.

1999: March 14: Groundbreaking ceremonies were held to celebrate the new $1,013,859 addition.
October 17: Good Shepherd celebrates 20 years as membership reaches 600.

2002: Spring: Lisa Stirtz becomes the director of the new Wee Lamb's preschool which began with 45 children.

2005: A third Sunday morning service is added and Matt Conrad was installed as associate pastor. Membership reaches 1,000.

2009: February 10: Special voters approved the planned 13,694 sq. ft. addition at a cost of $154.48 per sq. ft. Membership reaches 1,200.