Dear Friends in Christ,

Many people find history boring, with dates and facts about people unknown. This history is different because it's about our people and events that have touched our lives. It's not just a history, but a story - - the story of God working through His Word and Sacraments to touch and to change peoples' lives.

As you read this story of your family, may the Holy Spirit help you to see His hand at work through Pastor Ansorge and all the pastors and other leaders, as well as all the laymen and laywomen of Zion's congregation.

At this time of Centennial Celebration we not only look back with joy at what God has allowed us to do together in this congregation and community, but we also look back to the Cross, in gratitude for the blood-bought sacrifice earned by Jesus on the Cross of Calvary for our eternal salvation. Literally thousands have been brought to the Cross of Jesus over the years through the Holy Ministry of Zion Lutheran Church of Manning

At the same time we look ahead and "Lift High the Cross" rejoicing that God Almighty walks with us into a new century and beyond to bless, to forgive, to strengthen. To the world St. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:18 "The message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God." What a joy it is to know the power of God! That power begins and ends at the Cross of Jesus Christ. Therefore the theme verse for our Centennial year is Hebrews 12:2 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

God bless you in Christ our Lord!
Daniel J. Vogel, Senior Pastor

Dear Friends,

On Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1900, several men gathered together to formally organize what was then known as "Die Erste Deutsche Evangelish-Lutherische Zions Gemeinde Ungeaenderter Augsburgischer Konfession zu Manning, Carroll County, Iowa."

Now, almost one hundred years later, much has changed. In 1900, the membership of this congregation consisted of a handful of families. Worship services and most of the official business was conducted in German. At first, they met in member's homes, and only later were able to construct a modest white frame church building. People arrived for worship either by foot or by horse and buggy.

Now we worship and conduct our business in English. We have been blessed with a large building in which to worship and study. Our membership now counts about 760 souls. We have seen technological advances that were simply unimagined when this congregation was founded.

Yet, despite all the changes, much has stayed the same. We still worship the same Lord, who never changes. We are still blessed with the same Word and Sacraments that first brought people together here in Manning. We struggle with the same sin, and receive the same forgiveness. We still face the challenge of reaching out to a lost and condemned world with the saving love of Jesus Christ.

During the year 2000, we will be celebrating the unity we have with the church throughout history and around the world. We will celebrate the fact that God has worked in us to make us His children, and that He now works through us to spread His message of love and forgiveness to all. In keeping with the holiday on which our congregation was organized, we will give thanks to God for His many blessings throughout the years.

This book is one part of that celebration and thanksgiving. As together we study the pages that follow, let us first remember the ways that this congregation has reached out with Christ in the past, and then set our eyes forward as we continue to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1).

Your brother in Christ,
Curt Dwyer, Assistant Pastor