PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 75 TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Join us for a special celebration as Peace Lutheran Church Hastings marks its 75th anniversary!
Date: Sunday, September 10, 2023
Event Schedule:
Divine Service: 9:00 a.m.
Start the day by attending the Divine Service, where we will gather as community to worship and give thanks for 75 years of blessings.
Banquet: 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Following the Divine Service, join us for a delicious banquet. This will be a time to enjoy a meal together and reflect on the church's rich history.
Special Anniversary Program: 2:00 p.m.
In the afternoon, we will have a special anniversary program that will be filled with entertainment and joyful celebration. We invite you to witness and PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEMORABLE EVENT.
Cake and Punch Reception:
Following the Anniversary Program, join us for a delightful cake and punch reception. This will be an opportunity to connect with fellow attendees, share stories, and create new memories.
Come and be a part of this significant milestone in the life of Peace Lutheran Church Hastings. We look forward to celebrating 75 years of faith, community, and growth with you. Save the date and spread the word!
We are selling T-shirts and sweatshirts
The order forms are in the Narthex and need to be returned to the church office by August 11. Make checks payable to Peace Lutheran Church. If you can't make it into the church, but would like a T-shirt, sweatshirt or hoody, please call Lisa Novak at 402-519-0442
A Brief 60 Year History of Peace Lutheran Church
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love. – 2 John 1:3
1940’s: Pastor Krueckeberg, meeting sites, constitution
Peace Lutheran Church Hastings came into existence early in the year 1948. The Mission Board called Reverend C. A. Krueckeberg was to establish this new congregation in north Hastings. On March 7, seventeen people met in the Little Theater in McCormick Hall at Hastings College to hold their first worship service.
Voters chose “Peace” as the name of the new Mission Church on June 22, and on July 14 they passed a resolution to organize as Peace Lutheran Church and to join the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Some of the organizing charter members were: Henry Brungardt, J. Fred Ernstmeyer, Harry Petersen, H. Otto Ruhter and Herbert Werner.
At this time the congregation purchased a parsonage, located at 1000 North Colorado Avenue, for Pastor Krueckeberg and family. It also served as a meeting place for church organizations until a church basement was available. In December, the site of worship moved from McCormick Hall to the old Chapel building of Hastings College.
Peace Lutheran elected its first governing body on January 2, 1949, after a constitution was drawn up and signed by fifteen members.
In March of 1949, the congregation purchased a building site, located at Ninth Street and California Avenue, for $2,400. Herbert Werner, Harry Petersen, Harmon Pfeil, Otto Ruhter and Reverend Grant Krueckeberg made up the original building committee. Ground breaking ceremonies were held June 18, 1949, and the cornerstone was laid on September 4. The Christmas service that year was held in the new church basement.
1950’s: completion of the sanctuary, Pastor Jank
The construction of the new church building was finished in 1950. The building was forty by seventy feet and seated 300 people. The total cost including lots, fixtures, and subcontracts was about $48,000. Dedication Day services were held on February 19. A Wurlitzer electric organ was purchased in April.
Peace Lutheran Church observed its fifth anniversary July 12, 1953. All private notes and payments to the District Extension fund were met. The congregation resolved to be self-sustaining in 1954.
1956 brought a change of Pastors at Peace. Rev. Grant Krueckeberg accepted a call to St. Paul Lutheran at Leavenworth, Kansas, in July. A vacancy pastor, Rev. Martin Hoffman from Blue Hill, Nebraska, served until Rev. Roland Jank, from Amherst, Nebraska, accepted the call. The installation service for Pastor Jank was October 7, 1956.
Peace celebrated its tenth anniversary on July 13, 1958. The next few years passed with a sizable gain of communicant members.
1960’s: first organ, parsonage, education wing
On November 11, 1962, the congregation held a mortgage-burning service. Membership numbered 400 with 225 communicants, and the loan was paid three years ahead of schedule.
Peace was fifteen years old in July of 1963. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Felzien donated an electric Baldwin organ, which was dedicated on April 5, 1964.
Another step forward was to build a new parsonage. On July 9, 1964, the congregation dedicated the new ranch-style brick parsonage at 306 Forest Boulevard. The total cost of the parsonage was $35,150.
On June 19, 1966, the first son from the congregation, Kenneth Greinke, was ordained into the ministry, and he and his wife, Betty, were commissioned as missionaries to Nigeria, Africa.
In 1968, the 20th year of Peace Lutheran’s existence, one of its members, Ruth Taylor was elected District Lutheran Women's Missionary League President, to serve a four-year term.
In 1969, Peace began the construction of an educational unit, enlarged narthex, northern addition, lower storage room, and a tower with an aluminum spire and gilded cross. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held on June 15, 1969. A year later, on June 28, 1970, the new addition was dedicated. The entire project was built at a cost of $98,500, including furnishings. The Building Committee included Edgar Tegtmeier, Alfred Blessing, Erwin Koepp, LeRoy Thom and LaMoine Utecht.
1970’s: Pastor Boeschen, increase in church workers
After nearly fifteen years of faithful service, Reverend Roland Jank accepted a joint call to Guttenberg and McGregor, Iowa. His farewell service was conducted on September 5, 1971. Rev. David Jeske, of Trinity Church, Blue Hill, Nebraska, accepted the vacancy pastor position for the next six months.
In January of 1972, Reverend Donald Boeschen accepted the call to Peace. Reverend Boeschen had completed his studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1968 and came to Peace Church after serving a dual parish at St. John Lutheran Church in Burwell and Peace Lutheran Church of Sargent, Nebraska. Pastor Boeschen was installed on January 30.
Pastor Boeschen, Vivian Pohlman, and Betty Hotzen became involved in the recently-begun Kennedy Evangelism program. Peace cooperated with the Key 73 Evangelism project, and participated in a commitment service on March 18, 1973 to begin the observance of the 125th anniversary of the Missouri Synod.
The congregation celebrated its 25th anniversary on July 15, 1973.
On May 19, 1974, Vivian Pohlman was commissioned as Deaconess.
Peace held a mortgage-burning service for the Educational Unit on June 25, 1978. Edgar Tegtmeier, chairman of the Building Committee, made comments, and Merlin Bachman, elder, and Harmon Pfeil, trustee, burned the mortgage.
In April of 1978, the voters accepted a Ministerial student, Bruce Kuenzel, at Peace for one year. This in-service training provided experience for Bruce and a valuable service to the congregation.
1980’s: missions and property expansion, new organ
In September of 1980, Mrs. Irvin (Betty) Holtzen was elected District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League President to serve a four-year term from 1980-1984.
Debbie Tegtmeier, a member of Peace and graduate of Concordia Teacher’s College at Seward, was commissioned July 12, 1981 as a Missionary Teacher at Cuenca, Ecuador, serving with the World Mission Prayer League.
On January 31, 1982, Peace congregation celebrated the 10th anniversary of the installation of Reverend Donald Boeschen as Pastor of Peace Lutheran. This same year Reverend Grant Krueckeberg, who had been semi-retired at Willmar, Minnesota, returned to Hastings to retire, and became a member of Peace in October. In November of 1985, Peace congregation had the privilege to share in a celebration for Pastor Krueckeberg’s 55 years in the Lord’s service.
In May of 1985, Peace purchased the lots to the east of the building for $57,000. These provided additional parking space. Building removal and site development took nearly all of 1986, at a cost of $12,184.
The year 1986 was also the year the congregation—through contributions, service projects, and memorial gifts—purchased a new Allen digital computer organ. The organ was dedicated on May 11.
In 1987 Peace congregation completed the parking lot project with paving, lights, water, lawn seeding, etc., at a cost of $30,000. A brief dedication service for the parking lot was held in September.
Peace observed its 40th anniversary on July 17, 1988.
1990’s: DCE Fullerton, property improvements, Vicar Rostek
Dianne Fullerton joined the staff at Peace as a Director of Christian Education Intern on August 5, 1990. After serving her internship, she was installed on August 4, 1991. Her work was with the youth, Christian education, and evangelism. The DCE program lasted for eight years.
In November of 1990 Peace was privileged to share in a celebration of Pastor Grant Krueckeberg’s 60 years in the Lord’s service, and 60 years of marriage for him and his wife, Lucille. Pastor Krueckeberg was called to his eternal rest on October 5, 1991.
The church installed an elevator in April of 1994 to aid anyone having difficulty with stairs or using a wheelchair. In the same year, the parking lot west and north of the church was upgraded with concrete on both sides of the alley. This project was completed in September at a cost of approximately $8,000. Voters also authorized the renovation of the men’s downstairs restroom to make it handicap accessible.
Ruth Taylor retired as church secretary after twenty years of faithful service on August 1, 1996. She was replaced by Ruby Karnatz.
Peace received notice of Norma Jank’s death on December 11, 1997. Lucille Krueckeberg was taken to her heavenly home on March 3, 1998.
The voters decided to renovate the chancel area, refinish the pews and floors, and install new carpet in 1998, in preparation for the 50th anniversary of the congregation. As a part of the project, the original altar was modified to be used as a free standing altar. The cost of the renovations was $25,174.
Peace Lutheran Church celebrated her fiftieth anniversary on September 13, 1998.
In 1999, the congregation hosted the first of four vicars, Wayne “Rick” Rostek. “Vicar Rick” and his wife Lois and daughter Valerie were with the congregation through the early summer of 2000. Rev. Rostek now serves in emeritus capacity and lives in Pryor, Oklahoma.
Also in 1999, the garage was built northeast corner of the parking lot. This garage is currently being used for storage of lawn equipment and miscellaneous items, and it is used for the annual garage sale and for serving food at the annual picnic and other outdoor events. The door is large enough that a van or small bus could be stored in the garage, should the congregation decide to purchase one in the future.
2000’s: Vicars Stone, Yount, and Woolery; building upgrades; hymnals;
Pastor Mackay
Peace’s second vicar, Jeff Stone, worked with the congregation in 2001 and 2002. While living in Hastings, Jeff and his wife Julie were blessed with a son, Caleb. Rev. Stone is now living in Noblesville, Indiana.
In 2002, the sanctuary was updated once again with the addition of more ornate stained glass windows that depict biblical scenes and symbols. Total cost of the project was $39,906.
In 2003, using memorial funds, the congregation replaced the altarware in the chancel. The purchase included new candelabras, an altar cross, candlesticks, a paschal candle stand, and vases, all in polished brass. New oil candles, which fit the new candelabras and candlesticks, were also purchased. Total cost of the replacements was $7,307.
Allan Yount, the third vicar to serve the congregation, was in Hastings in 2003 and 2004. During his tenure, Allan met Nichole Hauk, and the couple was married on June 5 at Peace. Rev. Stone currently resides in Greeley, Colorado.
After nearly a decade of service, Ruby Karnatz retired as church secretary in early 2005. Betty Yurk filled the vacant position.
The most recent vicar to serve at Peace was Nathan Woolery. He and his wife Ruth and son Benjamin came to Hastings in 2005 and 2006. Rev. Woolery is now the pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Shelbyville, Illinois.
On June 30, 2006, Pastor Boeschen retired from Peace Lutheran Church and from the full-time ministry. He and his wife Sandy moved to Iowa, where they have settled close to family.
Serving Peace during the eighteen-month vacancy were three pastors from the local area. Rev. Carl Rehwaldt and Rev. Paul Dunbar of sister congregation Faith Lutheran Church in Hastings served as administrative and visitation pastors, respectively. Rev. George Damm, retired, of Grand Island officiated at Sunday services and taught adult Bible classes. All three pastors shared in leading special and holiday services.
In July of 2006, Donald and Vivian Pohlman moved from Hastings to Lincoln, Nebraska. Don served as both elder and long-time president of the congregation. Vivian was a Deaconess and very active in the education program.
Donations from members and the memorial fund purchased new hymnals (Lutheran Service Book), pew Bibles (English Standard Version that match the hymnals), altar books, and Lutheran Service Builder software in the fall of 2007. The old hymnals (Lutheran Worship) were given to families of the congregation for home use.
On January 13, 2008, Rev. Marcus MacKay was installed as the fourth pastor of Peace Lutheran Church. A 2004 Graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and previously at Friends in Christ Lutheran Church in Bryant, Arkansas, Pastor Mackay brought with him his wife Jena and three sons Malachi, Matthias, and Micah. The family was blessed with another son, Marc, during their decade at Peace.
Betty Yurk retired as secretary in the spring of 2008, after serving for three years. Jeri Dush is currently serving as secretary.
In a project spanning two years from conception to organization to fundraising to completion, the remodeling of the basement fellowship hall was finished in May of 2008, in time for the reception of the Confirmation class of 2008. Workers from the congregation installed new tile and cabinetry, as well as remodeling the kitchen and serving area. In addition, they filled, sanded, and wallpapered the paneled walls, added new woodwork, removed the stage, and painted the ceilings. Total cost of the project was around $42,000. Committee members included Gary Ockinga (chair), Maureen Marshall, Jeff Lacy, Daryl Meier, Bev Saathoff, Carol Hansel, Kevin Hart, and Walt Irmer.
On October 26, 2008, Reformation Sunday, Peace Lutheran Church celebrated her 60th anniversary.
2010’s: Pastor Siebert, new addition, Pastor Gaunt
In 2013, Peace called a second pastor, Reverend Benjamin Siebert, a graduate of Fort Wayne Seminary. While in Hastings, he met Erica Blakely, a member of the congregation, and the couple was married on May 23, 2015. Pastor Siebert served at Peace for three years before taking a call to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lincoln Kansas. In 2022, the couple and their children returned to Hastings, where Pastor Siebert is the sole pastor at Zion Lutheran Church.
The capital campaign "Open the Doors of Peace" kicked off in 2014. Ground was broken on April 3rd, 2016, on a new addition that was dedicated on October 8th, 2017. The 6,700-square-foot section includes a fellowship hall, narthex, kitchen, and elevator. Accessibility was improved with drive-up access from the new parking lot and ground-floor restrooms. The total cost of the project was $1.3 million, with the debt retired on February 16, 2020. Committee members included Gary Ockinga, chairman; Wes Christensen, secretary; Glen Krueger, financial advisor; Walt Irmer, Lee Melvin and Clark Hansel.
In 2018, Pastor Mackay accepted a call to Advent Lutheran Church in Zionsville, Indiana. During the seven-and-a-half month vacancy, the congregation was served by Pastors Jack Kirk and John Schmidt, both of Lincoln.
The sixth pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Micah Gaunt, was installed on August 11, 2019. For the past twelve years, Pastor Gaunt had served Bethlehem and Zion Lutheran Churches in Ravenna and North Shelton, Nebraska. Renovations were made to the parsonage before his arrival so that he, his wife Dawn, and their large family would be comfortable in their home.
2020’s: COVID adaptations, sound and video upgrades
Just seven months after Pastor Gaunt’s arrival, the church was, like the rest of the nation, affected by the COVID-19 virus. In-person church services were suspended in mid-March of 2020, though they were still streamed and broadcast thanks to the effort of a skeleton crew: the pastor, the organist, an audio-visual technician, and an elder or two. Communion was offered to small groups of ten or fewer people three days a week on a sign-up basis.
Because no in-person Easter worship services were held, the Elders and volunteers delivered care packages on Holy Saturday to each member. Each gift sack contained a palm branch, a “He is Risen” tag made by Tonda Wolfe, a small candle, a faith magnet made by Brenda Christensen, a small craft paper Easter basket made by Jeanne Buck and filled with a few chocolate eggs, and the church Easter bulletin. Unfortunately, a storm on Easter morning knocked out power for many Hastings residents right at the start of the service broadcast.
In-person worship returned two months later, on May 10, 2020, with several precautions: limited numbers of people, six-foot-spacing between families, every-other pew seating, offerings gathered at the door, and modified Holy Communion procedures. As the virus subsided, full worship practices were gradually restored.
On January 27, 2021, Reverend Roland Jank, the second Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, died at the age of 100 in Omaha. The congregation's ties to him continue, as his son Joel, a retired music teacher and member of Faith Lutheran Church in Hastings, is a frequent substitute organist at Peace.
The sound and video equipment for the church was upgraded in late 2023 to keep up with the need for streaming and television coverage as well as providing the hard-of-hearing a clearer audio experience. Purchased from and installed by Yanda’s Music in Grand Island, the updates included a high-definition camera, a video controller with direct streaming and solid-state recording, zone speakers, a digital mixing board with iPad, a new laptop computer to run streaming events and edit video, and equipment and cabling to simulcast services in the fellowship hall. The $30,500 cost was funded through individual donations and the memorial fund. Committee members included Wes Christensen, Dustin Russell, and David Witt.
Peace celebrates her 75th anniversary with special events on September 10, 2023.
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love. – 2 John 1:3
1940’s: Pastor Krueckeberg, meeting sites, constitution
Peace Lutheran Church Hastings came into existence early in the year 1948. The Mission Board called Reverend C. A. Krueckeberg was to establish this new congregation in north Hastings. On March 7, seventeen people met in the Little Theater in McCormick Hall at Hastings College to hold their first worship service.
Voters chose “Peace” as the name of the new Mission Church on June 22, and on July 14 they passed a resolution to organize as Peace Lutheran Church and to join the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Some of the organizing charter members were: Henry Brungardt, J. Fred Ernstmeyer, Harry Petersen, H. Otto Ruhter and Herbert Werner.
At this time the congregation purchased a parsonage, located at 1000 North Colorado Avenue, for Pastor Krueckeberg and family. It also served as a meeting place for church organizations until a church basement was available. In December, the site of worship moved from McCormick Hall to the old Chapel building of Hastings College.
Peace Lutheran elected its first governing body on January 2, 1949, after a constitution was drawn up and signed by fifteen members.
In March of 1949, the congregation purchased a building site, located at Ninth Street and California Avenue, for $2,400. Herbert Werner, Harry Petersen, Harmon Pfeil, Otto Ruhter and Reverend Grant Krueckeberg made up the original building committee. Ground breaking ceremonies were held June 18, 1949, and the cornerstone was laid on September 4. The Christmas service that year was held in the new church basement.
1950’s: completion of the sanctuary, Pastor Jank
The construction of the new church building was finished in 1950. The building was forty by seventy feet and seated 300 people. The total cost including lots, fixtures, and subcontracts was about $48,000. Dedication Day services were held on February 19. A Wurlitzer electric organ was purchased in April.
Peace Lutheran Church observed its fifth anniversary July 12, 1953. All private notes and payments to the District Extension fund were met. The congregation resolved to be self-sustaining in 1954.
1956 brought a change of Pastors at Peace. Rev. Grant Krueckeberg accepted a call to St. Paul Lutheran at Leavenworth, Kansas, in July. A vacancy pastor, Rev. Martin Hoffman from Blue Hill, Nebraska, served until Rev. Roland Jank, from Amherst, Nebraska, accepted the call. The installation service for Pastor Jank was October 7, 1956.
Peace celebrated its tenth anniversary on July 13, 1958. The next few years passed with a sizable gain of communicant members.
1960’s: first organ, parsonage, education wing
On November 11, 1962, the congregation held a mortgage-burning service. Membership numbered 400 with 225 communicants, and the loan was paid three years ahead of schedule.
Peace was fifteen years old in July of 1963. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Felzien donated an electric Baldwin organ, which was dedicated on April 5, 1964.
Another step forward was to build a new parsonage. On July 9, 1964, the congregation dedicated the new ranch-style brick parsonage at 306 Forest Boulevard. The total cost of the parsonage was $35,150.
On June 19, 1966, the first son from the congregation, Kenneth Greinke, was ordained into the ministry, and he and his wife, Betty, were commissioned as missionaries to Nigeria, Africa.
In 1968, the 20th year of Peace Lutheran’s existence, one of its members, Ruth Taylor was elected District Lutheran Women's Missionary League President, to serve a four-year term.
In 1969, Peace began the construction of an educational unit, enlarged narthex, northern addition, lower storage room, and a tower with an aluminum spire and gilded cross. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held on June 15, 1969. A year later, on June 28, 1970, the new addition was dedicated. The entire project was built at a cost of $98,500, including furnishings. The Building Committee included Edgar Tegtmeier, Alfred Blessing, Erwin Koepp, LeRoy Thom and LaMoine Utecht.
1970’s: Pastor Boeschen, increase in church workers
After nearly fifteen years of faithful service, Reverend Roland Jank accepted a joint call to Guttenberg and McGregor, Iowa. His farewell service was conducted on September 5, 1971. Rev. David Jeske, of Trinity Church, Blue Hill, Nebraska, accepted the vacancy pastor position for the next six months.
In January of 1972, Reverend Donald Boeschen accepted the call to Peace. Reverend Boeschen had completed his studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1968 and came to Peace Church after serving a dual parish at St. John Lutheran Church in Burwell and Peace Lutheran Church of Sargent, Nebraska. Pastor Boeschen was installed on January 30.
Pastor Boeschen, Vivian Pohlman, and Betty Hotzen became involved in the recently-begun Kennedy Evangelism program. Peace cooperated with the Key 73 Evangelism project, and participated in a commitment service on March 18, 1973 to begin the observance of the 125th anniversary of the Missouri Synod.
The congregation celebrated its 25th anniversary on July 15, 1973.
On May 19, 1974, Vivian Pohlman was commissioned as Deaconess.
Peace held a mortgage-burning service for the Educational Unit on June 25, 1978. Edgar Tegtmeier, chairman of the Building Committee, made comments, and Merlin Bachman, elder, and Harmon Pfeil, trustee, burned the mortgage.
In April of 1978, the voters accepted a Ministerial student, Bruce Kuenzel, at Peace for one year. This in-service training provided experience for Bruce and a valuable service to the congregation.
1980’s: missions and property expansion, new organ
In September of 1980, Mrs. Irvin (Betty) Holtzen was elected District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League President to serve a four-year term from 1980-1984.
Debbie Tegtmeier, a member of Peace and graduate of Concordia Teacher’s College at Seward, was commissioned July 12, 1981 as a Missionary Teacher at Cuenca, Ecuador, serving with the World Mission Prayer League.
On January 31, 1982, Peace congregation celebrated the 10th anniversary of the installation of Reverend Donald Boeschen as Pastor of Peace Lutheran. This same year Reverend Grant Krueckeberg, who had been semi-retired at Willmar, Minnesota, returned to Hastings to retire, and became a member of Peace in October. In November of 1985, Peace congregation had the privilege to share in a celebration for Pastor Krueckeberg’s 55 years in the Lord’s service.
In May of 1985, Peace purchased the lots to the east of the building for $57,000. These provided additional parking space. Building removal and site development took nearly all of 1986, at a cost of $12,184.
The year 1986 was also the year the congregation—through contributions, service projects, and memorial gifts—purchased a new Allen digital computer organ. The organ was dedicated on May 11.
In 1987 Peace congregation completed the parking lot project with paving, lights, water, lawn seeding, etc., at a cost of $30,000. A brief dedication service for the parking lot was held in September.
Peace observed its 40th anniversary on July 17, 1988.
1990’s: DCE Fullerton, property improvements, Vicar Rostek
Dianne Fullerton joined the staff at Peace as a Director of Christian Education Intern on August 5, 1990. After serving her internship, she was installed on August 4, 1991. Her work was with the youth, Christian education, and evangelism. The DCE program lasted for eight years.
In November of 1990 Peace was privileged to share in a celebration of Pastor Grant Krueckeberg’s 60 years in the Lord’s service, and 60 years of marriage for him and his wife, Lucille. Pastor Krueckeberg was called to his eternal rest on October 5, 1991.
The church installed an elevator in April of 1994 to aid anyone having difficulty with stairs or using a wheelchair. In the same year, the parking lot west and north of the church was upgraded with concrete on both sides of the alley. This project was completed in September at a cost of approximately $8,000. Voters also authorized the renovation of the men’s downstairs restroom to make it handicap accessible.
Ruth Taylor retired as church secretary after twenty years of faithful service on August 1, 1996. She was replaced by Ruby Karnatz.
Peace received notice of Norma Jank’s death on December 11, 1997. Lucille Krueckeberg was taken to her heavenly home on March 3, 1998.
The voters decided to renovate the chancel area, refinish the pews and floors, and install new carpet in 1998, in preparation for the 50th anniversary of the congregation. As a part of the project, the original altar was modified to be used as a free standing altar. The cost of the renovations was $25,174.
Peace Lutheran Church celebrated her fiftieth anniversary on September 13, 1998.
In 1999, the congregation hosted the first of four vicars, Wayne “Rick” Rostek. “Vicar Rick” and his wife Lois and daughter Valerie were with the congregation through the early summer of 2000. Rev. Rostek now serves in emeritus capacity and lives in Pryor, Oklahoma.
Also in 1999, the garage was built northeast corner of the parking lot. This garage is currently being used for storage of lawn equipment and miscellaneous items, and it is used for the annual garage sale and for serving food at the annual picnic and other outdoor events. The door is large enough that a van or small bus could be stored in the garage, should the congregation decide to purchase one in the future.
2000’s: Vicars Stone, Yount, and Woolery; building upgrades; hymnals;
Pastor Mackay
Peace’s second vicar, Jeff Stone, worked with the congregation in 2001 and 2002. While living in Hastings, Jeff and his wife Julie were blessed with a son, Caleb. Rev. Stone is now living in Noblesville, Indiana.
In 2002, the sanctuary was updated once again with the addition of more ornate stained glass windows that depict biblical scenes and symbols. Total cost of the project was $39,906.
In 2003, using memorial funds, the congregation replaced the altarware in the chancel. The purchase included new candelabras, an altar cross, candlesticks, a paschal candle stand, and vases, all in polished brass. New oil candles, which fit the new candelabras and candlesticks, were also purchased. Total cost of the replacements was $7,307.
Allan Yount, the third vicar to serve the congregation, was in Hastings in 2003 and 2004. During his tenure, Allan met Nichole Hauk, and the couple was married on June 5 at Peace. Rev. Stone currently resides in Greeley, Colorado.
After nearly a decade of service, Ruby Karnatz retired as church secretary in early 2005. Betty Yurk filled the vacant position.
The most recent vicar to serve at Peace was Nathan Woolery. He and his wife Ruth and son Benjamin came to Hastings in 2005 and 2006. Rev. Woolery is now the pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Shelbyville, Illinois.
On June 30, 2006, Pastor Boeschen retired from Peace Lutheran Church and from the full-time ministry. He and his wife Sandy moved to Iowa, where they have settled close to family.
Serving Peace during the eighteen-month vacancy were three pastors from the local area. Rev. Carl Rehwaldt and Rev. Paul Dunbar of sister congregation Faith Lutheran Church in Hastings served as administrative and visitation pastors, respectively. Rev. George Damm, retired, of Grand Island officiated at Sunday services and taught adult Bible classes. All three pastors shared in leading special and holiday services.
In July of 2006, Donald and Vivian Pohlman moved from Hastings to Lincoln, Nebraska. Don served as both elder and long-time president of the congregation. Vivian was a Deaconess and very active in the education program.
Donations from members and the memorial fund purchased new hymnals (Lutheran Service Book), pew Bibles (English Standard Version that match the hymnals), altar books, and Lutheran Service Builder software in the fall of 2007. The old hymnals (Lutheran Worship) were given to families of the congregation for home use.
On January 13, 2008, Rev. Marcus MacKay was installed as the fourth pastor of Peace Lutheran Church. A 2004 Graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and previously at Friends in Christ Lutheran Church in Bryant, Arkansas, Pastor Mackay brought with him his wife Jena and three sons Malachi, Matthias, and Micah. The family was blessed with another son, Marc, during their decade at Peace.
Betty Yurk retired as secretary in the spring of 2008, after serving for three years. Jeri Dush is currently serving as secretary.
In a project spanning two years from conception to organization to fundraising to completion, the remodeling of the basement fellowship hall was finished in May of 2008, in time for the reception of the Confirmation class of 2008. Workers from the congregation installed new tile and cabinetry, as well as remodeling the kitchen and serving area. In addition, they filled, sanded, and wallpapered the paneled walls, added new woodwork, removed the stage, and painted the ceilings. Total cost of the project was around $42,000. Committee members included Gary Ockinga (chair), Maureen Marshall, Jeff Lacy, Daryl Meier, Bev Saathoff, Carol Hansel, Kevin Hart, and Walt Irmer.
On October 26, 2008, Reformation Sunday, Peace Lutheran Church celebrated her 60th anniversary.
2010’s: Pastor Siebert, new addition, Pastor Gaunt
In 2013, Peace called a second pastor, Reverend Benjamin Siebert, a graduate of Fort Wayne Seminary. While in Hastings, he met Erica Blakely, a member of the congregation, and the couple was married on May 23, 2015. Pastor Siebert served at Peace for three years before taking a call to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lincoln Kansas. In 2022, the couple and their children returned to Hastings, where Pastor Siebert is the sole pastor at Zion Lutheran Church.
The capital campaign "Open the Doors of Peace" kicked off in 2014. Ground was broken on April 3rd, 2016, on a new addition that was dedicated on October 8th, 2017. The 6,700-square-foot section includes a fellowship hall, narthex, kitchen, and elevator. Accessibility was improved with drive-up access from the new parking lot and ground-floor restrooms. The total cost of the project was $1.3 million, with the debt retired on February 16, 2020. Committee members included Gary Ockinga, chairman; Wes Christensen, secretary; Glen Krueger, financial advisor; Walt Irmer, Lee Melvin and Clark Hansel.
In 2018, Pastor Mackay accepted a call to Advent Lutheran Church in Zionsville, Indiana. During the seven-and-a-half month vacancy, the congregation was served by Pastors Jack Kirk and John Schmidt, both of Lincoln.
The sixth pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Micah Gaunt, was installed on August 11, 2019. For the past twelve years, Pastor Gaunt had served Bethlehem and Zion Lutheran Churches in Ravenna and North Shelton, Nebraska. Renovations were made to the parsonage before his arrival so that he, his wife Dawn, and their large family would be comfortable in their home.
2020’s: COVID adaptations, sound and video upgrades
Just seven months after Pastor Gaunt’s arrival, the church was, like the rest of the nation, affected by the COVID-19 virus. In-person church services were suspended in mid-March of 2020, though they were still streamed and broadcast thanks to the effort of a skeleton crew: the pastor, the organist, an audio-visual technician, and an elder or two. Communion was offered to small groups of ten or fewer people three days a week on a sign-up basis.
Because no in-person Easter worship services were held, the Elders and volunteers delivered care packages on Holy Saturday to each member. Each gift sack contained a palm branch, a “He is Risen” tag made by Tonda Wolfe, a small candle, a faith magnet made by Brenda Christensen, a small craft paper Easter basket made by Jeanne Buck and filled with a few chocolate eggs, and the church Easter bulletin. Unfortunately, a storm on Easter morning knocked out power for many Hastings residents right at the start of the service broadcast.
In-person worship returned two months later, on May 10, 2020, with several precautions: limited numbers of people, six-foot-spacing between families, every-other pew seating, offerings gathered at the door, and modified Holy Communion procedures. As the virus subsided, full worship practices were gradually restored.
On January 27, 2021, Reverend Roland Jank, the second Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, died at the age of 100 in Omaha. The congregation's ties to him continue, as his son Joel, a retired music teacher and member of Faith Lutheran Church in Hastings, is a frequent substitute organist at Peace.
The sound and video equipment for the church was upgraded in late 2023 to keep up with the need for streaming and television coverage as well as providing the hard-of-hearing a clearer audio experience. Purchased from and installed by Yanda’s Music in Grand Island, the updates included a high-definition camera, a video controller with direct streaming and solid-state recording, zone speakers, a digital mixing board with iPad, a new laptop computer to run streaming events and edit video, and equipment and cabling to simulcast services in the fellowship hall. The $30,500 cost was funded through individual donations and the memorial fund. Committee members included Wes Christensen, Dustin Russell, and David Witt.
Peace celebrates her 75th anniversary with special events on September 10, 2023.
