During recent renovations at St. John’s Lutheran Church near Westboro, Missouri, Bibles written in German were found hidden in a storage area of the altar. Church parishioners made their own time capsule to store in the altar for the next time it is pulled out.
St. John’s Lutheran Church near Westboro, Missouri, recently underwent several renovations. The chapel received new carpet and the wood was sanded and refinished, giving it a nice, updated look. (Steve Klute photos)
By Beverly Clinkingbeard
Laying new carpet is usually a straight-forward task. It’s all that has to occur prior to laying carpet – then putting it all back together again, that isn’t so straight-forward. Thanks to the volunteers and Steve and Zach Klute for directing the operation and keeping up with what was the next step at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Westboro, Missouri. Thanks to everyone who moved pews, railing, and yes, even the altar itself was pulled out.
When the altar was pulled, they realized it had doors on the back side and storage. Of course, curiosity ensued, and in the space were three Bibles, one quite large in size. Since the church was founded July 4, 1886, by immigrants from Germany, the Bibles are printed in the German language. This many years later, the great-grandchildren of the founders are defenders of the faith; however, they are American midwestern English speakers and readers only.
A time capsule box has been prepared and it will be inside the altar storage area when the altar is slid back into place. So, one of these days, when and if the altar is slid forth, and the doors are opened, there will be a record of 2024, with offerings members included of the years and events before today. (Hint: Mr. Klute vows the heavy altar will not be moved again in his lifetime!) A special thank you to Zach Klute for the hours of sanding and staining of wood that he made look so easy and much better.
Just perhaps it is events of this nature that remind us how short life is, how quickly life changes, and our gift to the next generation is not necessarily to make it easier for them, but to leave a legacy and faith for them to build on for our darling grandchildren.
’Til next time.
