LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 85th Anniversary of the Evan-
gelical English Lutheran Church of the Messiah of Flushing, New York, to
be celebrated on June 14, 2009

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
85th Anniversary of the Evangelical English Lutheran Church of the
Messiah of Flushing, New York, to be celebrated at a special worship
service on Sunday, June 14, 2009, which will be followed with a catered
Gala Luncheon at its Fellowship Hall; and
WHEREAS, The Evangelical English Lutheran Church of the Messiah was
established in 1924, when Carl Ludder placed an advertisement in the
FLUSHING JOURNAL, a local newspaper, inviting anyone interested in form-
ing a Lutheran congregation to a meeting; and
WHEREAS, The meeting was held on the Ludder's front porch on April 19,
1924, and interest was so strong they were able to incorporate the
congregation on May 5, 1924; the first service was held on June 8, 1924,
Pentecost Sunday, in the Fellowship Hall of St. John's Episcopal Church;
and
WHEREAS, The current property on the corner of 165th Street and
Sanford Avenue, at Northern Boulevard, was purchased in June 1924; the
house on the property was used for worship until it was replaced with
the current nave, which was dedicated on June 8, 1930; and
WHEREAS, The original building has been expanded three times; the
first time was to make room for Sunday School classrooms, then an office
suite, and in the 1970s an elevator was built to make the nave more
accessible; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Evangelical English Lutheran Church of the Messiah
is under the able leadership of Pastor Fernando Otero; since coming to
the parish in February 2008, many new members have been welcomed and a
new Friday night Worship service has been established; recently, two
stained glass windows have been restored; and
WHEREAS, In addition to worship services, the Evangelical English
Lutheran Church of the Messiah is host to three support groups, the
Station Road, Civic Association and the Community Singers; and
WHEREAS, The Evangelical English Lutheran Church of the Messiah stands
on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the
coming decades while retaining that spiritual resolve which character-
izes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 85th Anniversary of the Evangelical English Lutheran
Church of the Messiah of Flushing, New York, to be observed on June 14,
2009, fully confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in
those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Pastor Fernando Otero, Evangelical English Lutheran Church of
the Messiah, Flushing, New York.