October 2024 

Visit to the Holy Land

Since before COVID - 19 was a World Wide Epidemic in 2020 My Bride and I have not visited the Land of My Birth and My Wonderful Siblings.  In early 2024 the decision was made that a visit would be very appropriate simply because I was not getting any Younger.  Therefore we arrived in Guttenberg, Iowa on the evening of 19 October with the Goal of Worshiping on Sunday, 20 October at Trinity Lutheran Church.  The Church of My Baptism and My Confirmation in 1940 and 11 April 1954 respectively.  The Message was from the Gospel Lesson.  "A Journey of Hope!!"  My Lord Helps Me when I am weak.  We are Comforted and have that because We Believe, which allows up to Have Peace in Our lives.  The following is what I learned as it relates to Me, Alan.

I am saved through Faith!  I am to be Strong in the Lord!  I am to put on the whole armor of God!!  He Protects Me and I am able to return to My Home in Peace.

I took these views of the Altar and the Baptism Font after the Service.  The High Point of the Worship for Me was partaking of "The Lord's Supper!"  My Sibling Brother John Paul and I were served at the same Table.  This was an emotional event for Me.  Because I live in Georgia and My Brother lives near Guttenberg it is not very often when we both have the opportunity to Receive God's Gift for Us.  Jesus Died for My Sins, Rose from the dead and Accended to Heaven so that All Who Believe May Have Eternal Life in Heaven.  

Another Fact that made this Event and Worship to Very Meaningful for Me was that My Dad and My Uncle who was one of My Godfathers at My Baptism, Ernst as well as My Grandfather helped build this Church in the late 1930s.  I was always told that the Entire Church Building cost $6,000.00 to build.  The Architect was the Pastor - Rev. Martin Peters.  Rev. Peters Baptized Me when I was about a month old during the Winter of 1940!

Several days later My Brother John Paul and I posed for this picture beside the Sign which promotes the Church to the Citizens of Guttenberg and those who are Tourist.