Grace in Regina celebrates 100 years

REGINA, Sask. – It wasn’t that long ago—only 100 years—when a group of founding fathers came together to sign the constitution of a downtown church in Regina: Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

Celebrating such a grand event required all hands on deck. Industrious members poured through volumes of history, preparing a bound history book and archives for viewing. Others put their skills to work publishing a pictorial directory, and a beautiful, handcrafted oak photo frame was designed and placed in the narthex displaying all the members’ photos. Others hand-painted memento souvenirs highlighting 100 years of blessings.  

Prior to the main weekend celebration in June, a time capsule from the church’s cornerstone was opened, and inside many historic treasures were preserved perfectly!  

At the front of the church, new VDMA Reformation banners depicted the anniversary theme, “The Word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Peter 1:24-25).  

The guest preacher for Sunday morning’s Divine Service was a former vicar, now Regional Pastor, Rev. David Haberstock. At the afternoon Anniversary Celebration Service, the guest preacher was Rev. Jeremy Swem, Senior Pastor of Our Saviour Lutheran Church and School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Beautiful singing enhanced this service by a mass choir compiled from local Lutheran Church–Canada churches and directed by Rev. Paulo Brum of New Beginnings Lutheran Church.  

Another momentous Sunday this year was the baptism of 14 adults and children at one service alone. The congregation rejoices in gratitude and praise for all that God has done over the many years, and which He continues to do today.

In July, a son of the congregation, Rev. Elmer Mushumanski of Armstrong, B.C., served as a guest preacher. During his sermon, he recounted that his first visit to Grace as a young man new to the city was thanks to one of our members, his landlord, just inviting him to come to church, reminding the congregation of the slogan, “Each 1, Reach 1.” 

This year, the congregation replaced its time capsule. Most of the current congregation won’t be here when it next gets re-opened, but God and His Word will prevail as He has promised. The congregation rejoices in His faithfulness, year after year. Most importantly, they rejoice in the hope of eternity with Him along with all the saints that have gone before.

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