Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 111 W. Orange St., Cromwell, will conclude its yearlong sesquicentennial celebration with a service and luncheon Sunday, Sept. 17.

Dwarfed by the spire of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cromwell, members of the congregation pose to invite the public to a service and lunch to wrap up the church’s yearlong sesquicentennial celebration. Pictured are, front row from left, Susan Leo, Genny Martin and Jan Magnus. Second row: Will Griggs, Debbie Griggs, Bonnie Edgell, Glennie Monroe and Susan Kale. Third row: Khrista Edgell, Myrna Harting and Jane Hummel. Back row: Pam Laker, Lewis Brewster and Monroe Hummel. (Photo provided)

The 9:30 a.m. service will include Holy Communion and a presentation by Bishop William Gafkjen of the Indiana-Kentucky synod. Gafkjen will preside during the ceremony with Forrest VanGundy, the church’s interim pastor.

Sunday school for adults and children will follow at 10:30 a.m.

The lunch will begin at noon in the Cromwell Community Center, 353 N. Baker St. The public is invited to all three events.

“The people of Calvary Lutheran Church are thankful to God for 150 years of ministry,” said VanGundy. “It is hard to comprehend the challenges, accomplishments, sorrows and joys they have experienced as a faith community called to share the Gospel with their community and the world.”

The church was started March 2, 1866, near Wilmot by a group of devout German Lutheran settlers. They later moved to Cromwell and built a wooden church in July 1868.

The present structure was dedicated Nov. 22, 1908. Subsequent renovations were done but the structure has not been altered for many years.

The church carries the mission statement, “God has called Calvary to share His love with all people.”

Regular Sunday service is 9:30 a.m., followed by adult and children Sunday school at 10:30 a.m.

The church is also involved in:

• Blanket Sew, which meets 9 a.m. every Monday. Quilts are sewn and sent to Lutheran World Relief.

• Food for All People, which meets from 5 to 6 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month at the Enchanted Hills Outreach Center, where the church serves dinner in a shared ministry with Grace Lutheran in Syracuse. The church also serves dinner from 5 to 6 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at Cromwell Community Center.

Calvary Lutheran will soon establish little libraries near the Outreach Center in Enchanted Hills and in Sunset Vue Mobile Home Park in Kimmell.

The church is a member of the Lutheran Foundation and receives grant money for the community meals and a week-long day camp with counselors from Lutheran Outdoor Ministries.

Calvary Lutheran regularly supports West Noble Food Pantry, Noble House, Common Grace, Lighthouse Day Care Ministry, World Hunger and Lutheran World and Domestic Relief.

“Our future plans are to continue to share God’s love in the community and surrounding area,” said Kathy Maroney, an administrator with the church.

“Although we are a small congregation, we are a dedicated community of Christians with big hearts and the desire to do his work,” she said. “We are an open, loving, friendly group. We do not judge; we accept. Our commitment to our faith is strong.”

For more information, call (260) 856-2610.