# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1923_S20
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

20 The Emutheran Pioneer.

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Springfield and St. Louis Items.

One of the most inspiring services of the past
year was held in our chapel in St. Louis on Christ-
mas morning, at 5.30 o'clock. Just before the be-
ginning of the service the-congregation stepped to
the outside of the chapel and sent forth the strains
of that powerful hymn, “Joy to the World.” Under
the bright lights of the Christmas-tree the congre-
gation then reviewed in spirit the wonderful hap-
penings of the first Christmas. After the: service
our fourth dime-bank opening of the year was held.
Our total Christmas receipts were $108.52. Mr. J.
Cantwell’s bank was high with $6.40. This is the
highest bank contribution ever received. It was a
rather dramatic moment when the opening of banks
was halted and the announcement was made that we
had reached our 1922 goal of $1,000. After a song
of praise had been offered, the opening of banks
was ‘continued.

Our annual children’s Christmas program was
rendered on the night of December 27, and again
on January 2. The children and their teacher,
Pastor Kroenk, deserve credit for the splendid treat
they gave the Lutheran public.

Our children’s program at Springfield was held
on December 26. It was a decided improvement
* over the 1921 program. Much praise was heard
from the large audience. One of the most delightful
parts was the beautiful song rendered by little Miss
Dollie Roberts, of St. Louis. Springfield is looking
forward to another visit from her. ‘The dialog given
by the ten little’girls of our Sunday-school was very
unique, and little Emerson Conover’s recitation in
his lisping baby voice was sweet. As a last, but not
least, feature we would mention the distribution of
gifts and goodies.

At six o'clock on Christmas morning the main
festival service was held. Before the service the
congregation sang “Joy to the World” out on the
church-steps. ‘Che quietness, the darkness, and
the twinkling stars made a beautiful setting for the
‘singing of this hymn, through which the congrega-
tion thus gave expression to its joy over the birth
of the Savior. Professor Hngelder preached the ser-
mon on this morning. It was a service long to be
temembered. :

After much thorough and painstaking prepara-
tion the weekly envelope system of contributing to
_ the support of the church was introduced in Grace
and Holy Trinity congregations on December 10,
and December 17, 1922, respectively. On these days

a special sermon on the Christian duty of giving
was preached. Immediately after the sermon the
new system was again thoroughly explained, where-
upon pledge-cards were passed out among all com-
municant members present. Later, absentees were
visited in their homes.

We have reason to rejoice over the results of our
efforts in introducing this new envelope system.
The total ef weekly pledges received in St. Louis
amounted to over $10; in Springfield, to over $12.
Full redemption of all pledges will mean total re-
ceipts (via envelopes) of $1,144 during 1923 in the
treasuries of both congregations.

If cur new system receives the proper support of
the members, it will mean much for the furtherance
of the Lord’s work.

It is self-evident that the new envelopes will
make it easier for the members to contribute. Our
hopes will have been entirely misplaced if greater
regularity is not brought about by the new system.

——___—_e.

News from Alabama.

A Brann Savep rrom THE Burning. — Some
time back the writer received from one of the pas-
tors on the Alabama field the following letter: “In
the Book of the Prophet Isaiah we read: My Word
has gone out and shall not return unto Me void!
This prophecy has been fulfilled here in , as
well as in many other places in the Black Belt. The

Gospel truths which you and ,others taught Uncle

have melted this old uncle’s stubborn heart,
and he is now a member of our Lutheran Church.
To-day, after I had visited his aged wife, he asked
me whether I would please receive him into mem-
bership of our Lutheran Church. I did so, of
course. He asked me to write you to-night and let
you know the good news. I trust you will be able
soon to visit Uncle , and let him tell you what
the instruction given him has done for him. He
was born during slavery days. He is now eighty-six
years old, having been born: June 18, 1836.” The
old uncle here referred to fought against the truth
for four years. But now he has surrendered his
heart to Jesus, the Savior of sinners. We saw him
since-we received the above letter from him, and he
told us: “I’m sure happy now, for I’m Jeaning on
Jesus.” — G. A. S. ,

A Harvest Day at Hoty Arx, Ata. — The
fourth day of February was a day of rejoicing for
our congregation at Holy Ark. That day had been