With the theme of “100 years sharing the Gospel of Jesus” the congregation has already had several musical events and concerts throughout the year.

In 1923, a small group of Lutherans in Iron Mountain became a congregation with the assistance of the Rev. Miller from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Florence, Wis. Pastor Miller traveled from Florence to Iron Mountain by train. Within the year, the fledgling congregation built the first building.

Mt. Olive’s current pastor, the Rev. Samuel Westra, has been assisting the anniversary committee in preparation for the observance.

Westra graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in May and was ordained and installed as pastor of Mt. Olive in July. Before attending the seminary, he attended Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn., and spent one year as a student-pastor in Watertown, S.D.

The first Mt. Olive Evangelical Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain.

Over the years, there have been 20 full-time pastors serving Mt. Olive. Several former pastors will be returning for the service. The Revs. Dave Aderman and Jim Aderman, sons of the congregation, will lead the congregation in the special worship service. The Rev. Stephen Lehmann, former pastor, will serve as guest organist.

In addition to the special anniversary worship service, a Mission Festival presentation will take place at 9 a.m.

The Rev. John Holtz, former pastor of Mt. Olive currently serving as native Christians counselor on the WELS Native American World Mission, will give a presentation.

Also presenting will be Bernard Dale Jr., a White Mountain Apache man from eastern Arizona and a leader of the Open Bible Lutheran Church in White River, Ariz. They will share Holtz’s mission work as well as mission activity on the Apache reservation in White River.

The public is invited to attend these special services.

THE REV. SAMUEL WESTRA