Pictures taken by Merle Stoelk.
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During his ministry Pastor Heinicke was very active in the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church, serving on several synodical committees. He was also deeply involved with ministry to the blind.
Pastor Heinicke utilized his talents to bring a great deal of beauty to Zion through banners, woodworking and beautiful mosaic artwork.
One of his biggest undertakings was the replacement of the altar in the present church. The original round altar has been donated in memory of Pastor J.M. Ansorge. However, in 1972, the original altar was found to be too small an area for Holy Communion service, and after being damaged by water, the decision was made to replace it. The Christian symbolism now appearing on the Lord's Table was crafted by Pastor Heinicke.
Holy Communion was served for the first time from Zion's new altar on Maundy Thursday, March 30, 1972.
1975 was a year of celebration for Zion's congregation. Throughout the year church members thankfully celebrated the church's 75th anniversary. Special worship celebrations were conducted in May, July, September and November. Zion was also able to celebrate final payment for the church on October 14, 1975.
On July 27, 1980, Pastor Heinicke was honored by the Zion congregation for 35 years of ministry to the Lord Jesus Christ. An estimated 235 guests were on hand for the celebration and presented Pastor and his wife with the gift of a trip to the Holy Land.
Members and friends of Zion gathered May 29, 1983, to bid farewell to Pastor and Nadine Heinicke who accepted a call to Worms, Nebraska.