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 As he began his morning message, Pastor Mark Thompson asked
people to raise their hand if they attended the school at its other
location, if they were on various committees, if they were currently
or had been faculty or staff at the school, if they were a student
at the school, or if they had helped with special events.
Pastor Thompson stated that the school was celebrating 40 years of
labor with many people working hard for the school and serving the
community. He proclaimed that it is the people who support the
school by serving long hours and long nights so that others might
hear the word of God.
Thompson asserted that all the schools in Lincoln are good schools,
but that Zion Lutheran has a school because it is for the sake of
the word of God. He said that we lean towards sin by our very
nature, [but] we have to have Christ at the center of our lives and
the school helps put God's word in our hearts, minds and spirits.
There is no gospel in the school setting unless Jesus is brought
into it. In a place like Zion Lutheran School, one true God is
taught and prayed to. At ZLS, Christ is proclaimed, Christmas is
celebrated with Christ at the center, and at Easter, the
resurrection is the most important part. Christian values and
integrity are taught to the children. These help Christ influence
the entire community.
 The school helps people focus on the Word of God and assist in
helping the "new man" arise. It is not perfect--we all are broken,
but it places the Word of God inside the school. The word sets deep
roots in the ground. It calls us to turn and repent to God and has
streams of living water flowing through. The path leads to God. With
the Word is life and the school places the Word at the forefront.
After a potluck lunch, the time of celebration continued with
presentations on the school's history and Steve Schumacher was
honored for his years of service to the school.
Donna Sauer, who taught at the school for many years, said she had
four preschoolers when her class began in 1975. They held classes in
the church building and had recess in the parking lot, but soon the
school started to grow. Over the years, ZLS has experienced many
changes, such as moving across town when they built the new school,
but the mission has always stayed the same.
Sauer called Schumacher a blessing who showed many talents, inspired
teachers, and listened, advised, and forgave. She also referred to
Schumacher as a servant who will be missed.
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Eunice
Hausler and Steve Schmacher |
Eunice Hausler, the school's first principal, spoke of how many
obstacles nearly stopped the school, but it triumphed. Hausler says
a radio host she listens to often says we have to know our history
as a light to guide our way.
In the beginning, after moving to the area, Hausler and her husband
saw Lincoln as a good place to start a [church supported] school,
and she asked others why there was not a school. Attending a church
board meeting she had been invited to, Hausler heard a positive tone
about a school. When the idea of starting a school was brought up to
the congregation, they received it fairly positively, too.
The board said they would start a school if Hausler could get 12
students. She had started other schools, so she visited many homes
to find children for the school. By July, Hausler had just 9
students lined up, but the board said she could start the school.
Hausler and others quickly prepared the church building for school
and got equipment from a school that was closing.
[to top of second column] |
 School started August 21, 1975. By year two, they had enough
students for another classroom--and had first, second, third,
and fourth grade. By year three, fifth and sixth grade were
added.
The church soon decided to build a school on Woodlawn road,
which was dedicated in August 1979. Hausler said that the school
has progressed and gone forward with may wonderful teachers and
parents. It is a source of faith and life.
To honor Schumacher, chairman of the Board of Christian Education,
Peggy Meyer; school board chairman, Betsy Pech; and chairman of the
board of elders, Dave Opperman, presented him with plaques and
gifts.
Meyer gave Schumacher and his wife Jan a special gift from the board
and noted that they both used a variety of methods and curriculum to
reach students and teach them God's Word. Together, the Schumachers
have been teaching for 42 years.
Pech recognized the Schumachers for many years of service and
friendship, saying how she watched the family grow. Pech noted that
Schumacher had been at ZLS 24 out of the school's 40 years as a
teacher, coach, mentor, and finally principal. When Schumacher was
still teaching, an interim superintendent suggested that Schumacher
would make a good principal. Pech presented Schumacher with a plaque
that had a scripture from 1 Timothy 1:12 and wished him God's
blessings on his new journey.
Opperman thanked those who had started the school and noted
Schumacher's 24 years of service, describing him as a committed,
dedicated, and loyal servant in various roles. Opperman also stated
that the Schumachers have been a good team. He thanked Schumacher
for teaching and being a positive influence, asserting that he never
heard Schumacher say anything bad about others. After wishing
Schumacher many blessings, Opperman gave him a plaque recognizing 24
years of service.
Opperman then played a video montage of photos throughout the years
of the school.
Finally, Schumacher thanked the church and school for all the
support and prayers. He stated that he has been part of Lutheran
schools for 50 years, first as a student, then a teacher, and
finally a principal and called these schools a blessing.
He closed by expressing thanks to all the hard working and dedicated
people he worked with over the years.
[Angela Reiners]
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