60 years

For 60 years old, she’s pretty sturdy and full of life.

Members of Christ’s Lutheran Church will celebrate a milestone six decades in the making as they reflect Sunday on memories of the church at 2002 N. Lincoln Ave. Barbecue and fellowship will follow the morning worship service.

"I love that the church is small enough you know everybody. They’re just all good people," church member Andrea Green said.

She joined the church 10 years ago and has played a major role in the congregation, sewing the banners that hang in the building illustrating faith concepts throughout the year.

"It takes several weeks to do a full set," Green said. "It’s all a gift of serving God."

Green said that the small congregation of about 30 people would not be able to afford to purchase the banners, which cost a good $2,000 to $3,000.

"The one from Lent is one I love seeing because the pastor at the time said I couldn’t make a good one out of burlap, but I did," Green said. "It looks very pretty and has black satin on the outside. It has a four-foot hand with a nail through it that just gives me the chills seeing it."

Pastor Richard Lamb said the church building has a lot of caring history that went into it. A former pastor’s wife, Paula Rennegarbe, actually made the stained glass windows surrounding the sanctuary.

Lamb himself is a former member who stepped in to fill the shoes of Susan Rodriguez, who left after several bouts of serious illness.

"It’s a great congregation. They feel a lot more open to working with people from other churches and are open to doing different things to serve the community," Lamb said.

Even as a member, he noted the friendly nature of the congregation, which attracted him to later serve when called. Though the church’s official pastor, he is still going through the ordination process and hopes to complete it by next summer.

Lamb previously worked as a pastor in another denomination and also as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Since his position at the church is currently part-time, he also works as a substitute teacher. He’s glad to serve the congregation any way he can.

"I get the opportunity to proclaim the gospel every Sunday, though it can be challenging balancing this work with working as a substitute," Lamb said.

Longtime church member Katie Richards said her four children and husband started attending Christ’s Lutheran for one simple reason.

"My kids said they were the friendliest church visited, and it’s been that way for 40 years," she said.

Richards said the church means a lot to her because four of her daughters were married in the church, and some of her grandchildren were baptized there as well.

She volunteers to help out by leading church groups and cooking food. It’s just a mission she feels passionate about.

"If you experience grace, how can you not show that to others?" she asked.

Christ’s Lutheran used to have its own school but closed the campus in 2004. In 2008, Day Star Learning Center came in to rent the facility for its own use to add an additional location.

"That has been a good relationship for us ever since and a real blessing to the congregation," Lamb said.

Christ’s Lutheran started in the fall of 1949 and started with 18 members, meeting at the San Jacinto Elementary auditorium prior to the new church building opening in 1951. As the congregation grew into the early to mid-1970s, the stained glass windows were put in place in the sanctuary.

Richards said she’s just glad to be part of the congregation.

"I am so grateful for this church," Richards said.

CELEBRATION

>> Christ’s Lutheran Church has scheduled a celebration of its 60 years in Odessa following the 10:30 a.m. worship service Sunday. A barbecue dinner will follow, with a time of singing and sharing. A dollar auction with matching funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will benefit the Gardendale and West Odessa volunteer fire departments.

>> For information, call Pastor Richard Lamb at 385-4022.