Events during the first half of 1965 included the dedication of the new church building of Christ the King, on April 25, which many Trinity members attended; a neighborhood canvass in May by some 30 Trinity members, witnessing for Christ at almost 400 homes; the Missouri Synod convention in June at Detroit, attended by some of our people.
On October 10, 1965, the congregation took not of the tenth anniversary of Mr. Charles Storck as teacher in our Day School and as Trinity’s Music Director.
In December, 1965, after having served as church office secretary for ten years, Mrs. Horst asked to be relieved of this work. After both services on Dec. 5, recognition and appreciation were duly voiced.
Beginning in January, 1966, the secretarial duties at the church office had been shared by Mrs. Brewer and Mrs. Wieneke. It may here be added that the need for dedicated help in congregation administration is always being met also by many other Trinity people.
A major development in Trinity’s history was now being planned. Since Pastor Pieper’s acceptance of a call elsewhere in 1953, Trinity had been served by one pastor alone. Early in 1966 plans were finalized by the Board of Elders and the Voters Assembly for the calling of an Assistant Pastor. A pastoral “profile” emphasizing a conservative doctrinal stand, as well as a special pattern of work, was drawn. A candidate list was obtained from Michigan District.
The Double Pastorate of
P. F. Wieneke and John S. Obeda
1966-1970
On the evening of Monday, April 18, the Voters Assembly elected the Rev. John S. Obeda to be Trinity’s Assistant Pastor. He had been serving Our Redeemer congregation (Slovak), located historically in Detroit (Delray) and relocating at the tine to Taylor, Michigan. Upon prayerful deliberation Pastor Obeda accepted the call to Trinity. After nearly thirteen years the congregation again had two pastors.
The solemn installation service was held on the afternoon of Sunday, June 12, 1966. Area clergy participated. The special folder for the day lists also a fellowship hour and refreshments after the service.
In May, 1962, the three-year-old church Building Fund became the Debt Reduction effort. To the total Building Fund offerings of our people, there had been added a loan of $176,000.00 from the Lutheran Fraternities of America so as to reach the approximately $327,000.00 cost of the new church. By the summer of 1966, the remaining debt on the building stood under $110,000.00
A celebration of Mr. Robert Metzger’s twenty years of service at Trinity as principal, seventh and eighth grade teacher and Sunday School Superintendent took place on October 9, 1966.
During the year 1967, a special Thankoffering Fund was established by The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. This “Ebenezer” program encouraged Lutherans to give, on their birthdays, a special mission contribution, over and above regular offerings.
In June of 1967, Mr. Charles Storck accepted a call to St. Luke’s in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. He had served Trinity since 1955 as teacher, organist and choir director. A peaceful release was granted as of July 31, 1967.
Always concerned about the spiritual well-being of others, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League initiated devotional services at the Trenton Convalescent Home. The services began in July and were led by Trinity men and assisted by Trinity women.
Detroit’s Cobo Hall Arena was the location of a huge Reformation Rally on October 29. The 3:30 p.m. service was attended by many Trinity and Detroit area Christians.
The month of November brought with it the 10th anniversary of Mr. Bender’s teaching ministry. He was recognized November 26 for his dedication to the Lord’s work.
During March of 1968, a very special occasion was celebrated at Trinity; Mr. Kowitz marked his fifty-first year in the teaching ministry, having spent all but one year at Trinity. A recognition service was held on March 24, with a reception following.
After ten years of teaching kindergarten at Trinity School, Mrs. Priskorn resigned her position. Mrs. Boettner was chosen as her replacement. The now vacant third and fourth grade teaching position was filled by Mr. Luebbe.
With Mr. Storck’s departure, the congregation was without a full-time organist and choir director. In the interim, Mrs. Voight served with the very able assistance of Bryant Brewer, Linda Hoffmeister, Kathie Leonard, and Maris Wieneke. The choir needs were met by Kenneth Zorn as director and Bryant Brewer as accompanist.
The new year of 1969 brought discussion regarding Missouri Synod fellowship with the American Lutheran Church. Pastors of the Wyandotte and Monroe Circuits did not feel it was proper to share communion fellowship with the ALC because there were too many areas of doctrinal disagreement at that time. This information was relayed to the 48th Regular Convention of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in Denver, Colorado. The convention, however, approved altar fellowship with the ALC.
On March 30, Trinity members rejoiced with members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Trenton, on the occasion of the dedication of their new church building.
Trinity’s Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Boettner, resigned in June, and Mrs. Helga Juchartz was hired to serve in this position, beginning in September. Mr. Collins was installed as third and fourth grade teacher and as Director of Music.
In 1970 this was to be a year of many changes for Trinity. Rudy Schave was the new Congregational Chairman. Teacher Mr. Collins resigned and the congregation was again left with a vacancy for the third and fourth grade teaching position and Music Director.
Pastor Wieneke officially retired on August 1 because of ill health. He had served at Trinity for twenty-two years. His last sermon was preached on July 5. The congregation held a Service of Thankfulness to the Lord on July 26, for blessing Trinity with the presence of His servant, Paul Wieneke.
The Pastorate of John Obeda
1970
After Pastor Wieneke’s retirement, Pastor John Obeda was to continue serving Trinity for only a short time. Trinity was without a full-time pastor as of November, when Pastor Obeda was granted a peaceful release to accept a call to Delhi, Ontario, Canada. Pastor Janz of St. Paul’s, Trenton, served as vacancy pastor.
A new third and fourth grade teacher, Mr. Arlo Otto, was installed at Trinity in September.
As 1971 began, Trinity continued without a pastor. In April, the Board of Trustees authorized the purchase of the property at 445 Oak Street, next door to the school. The property was to be used for parking and as a playground. The purchase price was $17,500.
The Pastorate of Robert Reinhardt
1971-1975
Trinity gladdened by the news in March that Pastor Robert Reinhardt of Ascension Lutheran Church, East Lansing, Michigan, had accepted the call to be pastor. He was married to Joanne Steege, and they had three children, Gregory, 9, Kathryn, 8, and Julianne, 4. Pastor Reinhardt was installed on May 2.
December was a month of thanksgiving, for Trinity paid off its church building loan. The mortgage was discharged on December 14, 1971.
In 1972, Trinity made several revisions in its constitution during this year. Eighteen year-olds and women were now allowed to become voting members of the congregation, and the fiscal year was changed to run from July 1 to June 30. These historic changes were adopted on June 26, 1972. In the U.S., eighteen year-olds were now eligible to vote in elections, too. Mr. Metzger retired from teaching after serving at Trinity since 1946. A commemorative service was held in his honor.
Pastor Reinhardt embarked on a new Bible Study program implementing the Bethel Bible Series. Eleven members were recruited for the two-year teacher training sessions. Training began in the fall.
Downriver Christian churches joined together in a unique program on May 19. The program, called “Key 73”, was aimed at spreading the Gospel in the community. Area churches distributed copies of the Gospel of Luke and Acts. Trinity passed out 1800 copies.
The Missouri Synod celebrated its 125th anniversary on June 17.
It was with a sense of sadness and personal loss, but true Christian happiness, that members learned of Pastor Paul Wieneke’ s death on August 25, 1973. He was called home to be with his Lord at the age of 61 years. The Day School library was later named the Paul F. Wieneke Library and dedicated in his honor.
On June 2, 1974, a commemorative service and dinner was held in honor of Esther Metzger, who retired after 24 years of teaching, 17 of those years at Trinity. Eight of the trainees in the Bethel Bible Series completed their two-year course also this year.
In 1975 a vacancy existed again when Pastor Reinhardt accepted a call to start a mission congregation in East Green Bay, Wisconsin. A farewell brunch was held in his honor on June2.
The Voters’ Assembly agreed to sponsor a Vietnamese couple. Large numbers of Vietnamese had left their country after the Communists of North Vietnam gained control of both North and South Vietnam. The refugees were residing in relocation camps until U.S. sponsors could be found.