Emmanuel members lament the leveling of their dear church

By Nicole Rogers
Posted 8/28/24

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Pic 4: The first blows to the roof were a heartbreaking moment for many. Cami Simenson photo

 

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On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, what was left …

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Emmanuel members lament the leveling of their dear church

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On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, what was left standing after the fire destroyed Emmaneul Lutheran Church in Longwood was demolished. Clark Electric has connected electricity to the pedestal and cut down the two trees next to the pedestal. Pastor Elizabeth Bier reported, “Hopefully next week we will be able to run wire to the parish hall so we will then have power to the building. We will have a congregational meeting from noon-1 p.m. on Sunday September 15 to discuss possible options for the church/rebuilding. We hope to talk to an architect before then to see what his thoughts are.”

On the eve of the demolition Pastor Bier shared these words of lamentation, “Brothers and sisters in Christ, we gather before the ruins of our church to bring before the God of all consolation our tears and our heavy hearts, our prayers and our concerns. It is God who called us out of darkness into the splendor of his light through our baptisms into Christ. It is God who formed us as the church of Jesus Christ in this place. It is God who blessed us in our ministry to this community and to each other. In him alone is our hope. In him and through him we find our being. As the prophet Jeremiah and the children of Israel poured out their lamentations and prayers to God after the destruction of Jerusalem, so also we pray to the God of our salvation in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

“You are the church, the living members of the body of Christ. The Church lives in you as you live in Christ. Though our building lays in ruins, still we are called to be the church in this place -- to share the gospel of Christ's love, to preach the word, to administer the sacraments, to forgive sins, to help those in need. As the Holy Spirit has given us gifts to fulfill our calling as the Church in this place, so God calls us now to dream dreams and see visions of a future that is filled with the love of God and Christ Jesus. Therefore, let us lift our hearts in prayer, in thankfulness for the blessings of the past and in dedication to the mission that lies before us.”

“Renew our faith, build up our hope, so that this house of prayer may rise like a Phoenix from the ashes, until its walls again resound with glory and praise of your holy name. All glory and honor and praise to you, O Lord, Holy Father, with your Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”

Any funds received for fire recovery will help Emmanuel members determine how they will be able to rebuild. There is a Fire donation fund set up at Forward Bank (any location) - checks made to “Emmanuel Lutheran Church” with memo: “Fire Donation.” Or you may mail donations to PO Box 27 Greenwood, WI 54437 or donate online or share a story of Emmanuel here: www.oneinchristlutherans.com/give.html.