When Zion Lutheran Church held its three-fold festival last Sunday, sermons were given by Rev. J.M. Ansorge and two of his sons, the Revs. Karl Ansorge of Parkers Prairie, Minn., and Max of Spirit lake. More than 1,300 persons from nine states attended the four dedication and anniversary services, and the largest crowd ever served enjoyed dinner in the enlarged basement rooms at noon.

States represented on the records of those attending included South Dakota, Missouri, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wyoming and many points in Iowa.

The dedication service opened with carillonic bells. Builder Herbert Hass delivered the keys to Lester Rowedder, chairman of the congregation, who opened the main door. Pastor J.M. Ansorge led the way into the church, followed by elders, Herman Sonksen, Edward Knaack, Elden Schroeder, Herman Frahm, Walter Lage, and Arthur Fielweber, bearing the sacred books and vessels to the altar.

When the congregation had filled the church, Pastor Ansorge formally dedicated "this house, with all that pertains to it, with all that is in it, and all the holy purposes it is to serve, to the worship of God, in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Ghost."

In the morning service Pastor Karl S. Ansorge said "As Jacob crossed the Jordan with nothing more than his staff, and at his return 20 years later had become two bands, so Pastor Brueggeman, first Lutheran pastor regularly to visit this neighborhood, crossed the Nishnabotna with his Bible, and now the flock has become three bands."

In the afternoon service Pastor Max Ansorge pointed out that "having the Gospel preached in this church will do you no good unless you are there to hear it; but every time someone sees you come to a service you are telling him that you are a Christian."

Some 800 were served dinner at noon. Among the congratulatory messages was one from former member Leroy Hass, now a missionary in Sapporo, Japan.

Because of a power failure, the organist, Mrs. Iona Ansorge of Des Moines, during a part of the service, was forced to use the first organ owned by the congregation.

During 47 years of its existence, the congregation has been served by its present pastor, the Rev. J.M. Ansorge.

One of the guests present Sunday was Herman Ullerich of Gray, Iowa, only charter member still living.

Members of Zion Lutheran Church of Manning observed a rare event Sunday when they honored Pastor J.M. Ansorge on two singular occasions - fifty years in the ministry and a half century of service to one church.

Special services were held at the high school Sunday evening when 700 persons filled the auditorium to pay tribute to their pastor who has served faithfully for 50 years, seeing his congregation grow from a handful of members to fourth largest in Iowa District West.

The day was made more memorable for the celebrant with his entire family present. One sad note was announced late in the evening when Reverend Ansorge stated that a sister, Concordia, had passed away Saturday noon. No mention was made prior to that time because the family did not wish congregational members to alter any long-made plans.

Morning Worship
Starting with the 8 o'clock Sunday morning service, the entire day adopted a festive aire. Pastor and Mrs. Ansorge's son, Karl, pastor at Parkers Prairie, Minn., preached the initial sermon of the day. He also conducted a German service at 9 o'clock.

Another son, the Reverend Max Ansorge of Spirit Lake, had charge of the 10:30 services. Both English services were largely attended and many of the older German folks heard the 9 o'clock sermon also.

Activities for the evening began with a special 5:30 dinner in the church basement, served to 65 persons by members of the Manning and Aspinwall Ladies Aids. Guests were members of the family and the various pastors of the Carroll Circuit with their families. Feature of the dinner was an elaborate cake baked and decorated by Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Pahde, which bore a replica of the first frame church.

Rev O.E. Weiss, Carroll Circuit visitor of Wall Lake, was liturgist and Mrs. James Ansorge of Des Moines played for the services.

Pastor Adolph Schwidder of Fort Dodge, who preached the sermon for Reverend Ansorge's silver anniversary in the ministry, gave a fitting sermon.

Acknowledged Honors
At the program which followed, Rev. Max Ansorge acted as master of ceremonies. The jubilarian acknowledged with thanks the many kindnesses shown him and his family that day and called on Mrs. Ansorge to say a few words. Others extending congratulations were Herman Sonksen, congregation president; Mrs. Ida Musfeldt for the Ladies' Aids, Pastor O.E. Weiss, Carroll Circuit visitor, and Pastor Cloeter, Charter Oak, Denison Circuit visitor.

Musical numbers were sung by Marlene Anthony and the girls' sextet, composed of Carol Ann Gruhn, Carol Rowedder, Charlotte Paulsen, Carol Antone, Darlys Vollstedt and Darlene Genzen; accompanist was Alice Ahrendsen.

Cherished well-wishes were received and read by Reverend Ansorge from President Dwight Eisenhower, written from Denver, Colorado, and Iowa Gov. William Beardsley.

Following services and program at the high school, the group adjourned to the church basement where cake, ice cream and coffee were served and visiting guests had an opportunity to congratulate the celebrant and meet with his family. A purse was presented the jubilarian.

Of 51 seminary classmates, only 21 are still living. The Rev. Theodore Hoemann of Adair is the only other one in Iowa. One other member of the class celebrated a similar event by being pastor of the same congregation for 50 years, that being Pastor Yount at Akron, Ohio.

As the day ended, Reverend and Mrs. Ansorge both said, "Everything was just wonderfully perfect, and we are so grateful for all those who helped make the day eventful and participated in our observance.

Lutherans honor Pastor Eschenbacher and wife
The congregation of Zion Lutheran Church honored its pastor Sunday (October 5, 1958) in observance of his 25th year in the ministry. The occasion was also the 25th wedding anniversary of Rev. and Mrs. G.B. Eschenbacher.

Following a dinner served for the family, out of town guests and members of the Carroll Circuit clergy, a 7:00 worship service was held in observance of the two anniversaries. Pastor O.E. Weiss, visitor for the Carroll circuit, acted as liturgist for the service. Rev. M.G. Kirsch of Hutchinson, Minn. delivered the sermon. Rev. Kirsch is a close friend of Rev. Eschenbacher.

Rev. Kirsch stressed the thanks due God on the occasion of the double jubilee and noted Rev. Eschenbacher's faithful service to his congregations, emphasizing that the Christian ministry is no easy task. He also commended Mrs. Eschenbacher's service to her husband as a helpmeet. The children's choir and church choir, directed by Mrs. Herbert Groteluschen, sang for the service. Following the service a reception was held in the church parlors.

Zion honors Pastor Heinicke on 35th anniversary

(Manning Monitor - August 1980)

The congregation and friends of Zion gathered Sunday evening, July 27, 1980 to celebrate with Pastor Edward F. Heinicke his 35th year anniversary in the ministry. The celebration was part of the church's congregational picnic.

A church service was conducted by Reverend Don C. Wuertz of Carroll for the purpose of "thanking God for sustaining Rev. Heinicke for 35 years in the ministry."

Warren Puck presented Pastor and Mrs. Heinicke with a gift of $3,409 which was specifically meant for a trip to the Holy land. The gift was the result of a free will collection from hundreds of families, most of which were from Zion, but also from three other congregations which Pastor Heinicke had served. The couple was deeply moved by this gesture.

In March of 1981, upon completion of Pastor and Mrs. Heinicke's special journey to the Holy Land, they shared some of their experiences in a news article and also with a presentation to the congregation.

The following excerpts are from the news article about the trip to, what they referred to as, the land where Christianity had its roots.

"Being there and realizing that here are the hills and the valleys and the site of villages seen by Abraham and David of Old Testament history and the places where Jesus walked, is just something that is hard to put into words," said Pastor.

The three most memorable places, in the opinion of the couple, were the City of Jerusalem where they spent three days, the town of Bethlehem, and the Sea of Galilee area.

"There is so much to see in Jerusalem, a person could spend weeks looking at all the historic sites and the traditional places associated with Biblical events," he said. According to their guide, a Palestinian Christian, only a few of the sites have been archeologically and historically verified as the actual places where events happened, therefore, a word used most often in touring the city is the word "tradition." An example of this is illustrated by the fact that two different places are pointed to as the scene of Christ's crucifixion and the place of His burial and resurrection.

Bethlehem is only a ten minute drive from Jerusalem. The Church of the Nativity is built over the cave traditionally associated with the place where Christ was born. In Bethlehem, as elsewhere throughout the Holy Land, there are many tourists even at this time of year which is far from peak tourist season.

"Throughout the land visitors are directed to look at historic sites and ruins. All this takes a while to sink in, especially for us who live in a land which has only recently celebrated its 200th anniversary," he stated. "It is, as a travel brochure states, a land about which we hear and read much, a land we see in our imagination whenever we read the Bible, a land that gives joy and excitement to those who have the privilege of being there."

Clara the Clown (Paula Weiss).

Mrs. Ansorge, leader of Susie's Kitchen Band.

Zion's 1956 entry in Manning's Diamond Jubilee parade.

Zion's entry in the Manning Centennial Parade.