JOLIET – The pictures tell a story, said Nanette Alton-Labus.

Volunteer director of public relations at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Joliet, Alton-Labus was referring to the depictions on the church’s stained glass windows illustrating the life of Jesus. These windows, with their unique blues and oranges, attract newcomers and connect long-standing members to the church.

“The cards we send to shut-ins have pictures of the windows on them,” Alton-Labus said.

Elna Anderson, 86, a lifelong member, said the windows only cost $1,700 and are now insured for more than a half-million dollars.

“When the sun comes through the west, they’re just gorgeous,” Anderson said.

It’s not just to view the windows that members of this church – founded by Swedish immigrants in the late 19th century – are inviting the community to services and a picnic on Sept. 21, which is national “Come Back to Church Sunday.”

The church believes a traditional worship service featuring the historical liturgies of the Western church and a loving, close-knit church community still has value in today’s climate of contemporary services.

A rich tradition

“There is a richness in traditional services, and sometimes people miss out on that,” said Tim Linstrom, Bethlehem Lutheran Church’s pastor since 2011. “Every word that we sing or pray is biblically based. For 130 years, the people at Bethlehem have worshipped that way, and they are still celebrating like that.”

Although Bethlehem Lutheran Church – like many long-established churches – has experienced dwindling Sunday attendance, it remains an active church and its remaining members staunchly dedicated.

The church's website, blcjoliet.com, lists fellowship activities including church picnics, bowling outings, congregational dinners, Christmas caroling and bell ringing for The Salvation Army.

The church also has several active ministries: Barnabas Ministry (monthly shut-in ministry), Patience Circle and Truth Circle (monthly ministry for fellowship, learning and devotions), Ladies Quilting (makes quilts for people around the world) and altar guild.

Even former members who belong to other churches tend to return for the Christmas Eve candlelight service, Linstrom said.

“They turn down the lights in the entire church, and everyone holds a candle and sings Christmas carols,” Alton-Labus said. “It’s quite a sight to see.”

Legacy of love

Not everything has stayed the same. Anderson said that in 1952, the altar rail, baptismal font and pulpit underwent renovations, from marble to oak. But Bethlehem Lutheran Church’s legacy of Christ-like love has deep roots and remains today.

Winifred Stromberg of Joliet, who joined the church in 1931 when she was just 8 years old, recalled how members would pick up children from the orphan’s home on Rowell Avenue, bringing them to church.

These children even sported new clothing on Easter from stores such as Marshall Field, courtesy of church members, Stromberg added.

Yet, for all the customs of the past, Stromberg is excited to see Bethlehem Lutheran Church move forward, adopting new ministries for Hispanic residents and others who might find a spiritual home at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

“Change is good,” Stromberg said. “Otherwise, you get stagnant.”

IF YOU GO
WHAT: Come Back to Church Sunday
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. Sunday
WHERE: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 412 E. Benton St., Joliet
ETC: Bring friends and family to worship service; picnic to follow
CONTACT: 815-726-4461 or Bethlehem0412@att.net

KNOW MORE
• The glass used in the windows without pictures is described as leaded opalescent and colored ripple glass.
• "Opalescent" means showing a display of colors.
• Other descriptions of the windows without pictures are "irregular pieced-field with geometric designs" and Romanesque, a style of 11th and 12th century European architecture.
• The window frames were designed by the contractor W.C. Kuehne.
• The art glass was purchased for $1700, just $200 over the estimate.
• The Window Glass Committee (Ernest Anderson, Gustav Erickson and Rev. Rydman) chose Reimann Co. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• Mr. Joseph Johnson was elected as the church's building inspector and given the authority to act for the Window Glass Committee. He inspected art glass samples and supervised the contractors.
• The Memorial Windows subcommittee (Theodore Johnson, Arthur Lilya and Axel Sandburg) selected and presented the windows to be memorialized.
• Depictions include Jesus in the temple; the Good Shepherd; Jesus walking on water and Peter sinking; the apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; the Parable of the Sower; Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane; Christ appearing to Mary outside the tomb; Jesus on the way to Emmaus; and Christ ascending into heaven. In this last window, the nail marks are clearly shown on his hands and feet.

Source: Bethlehem Lutheran Church