HR0607 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0607 LRB101 15353 MST 64557 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Bethany Baptist Church in Altona on November 23, 2019; and

WHEREAS, The Bethany Baptist Church community is active and welcoming to all; it is dedicated to connecting with the community and serves the people of Altona with grace; and

WHEREAS, The origin of the church began with a meeting inside the home of Mrs. Effie Thuline's on the 22nd of November 1969; 19 charter members were established; eager to begin preaching their sermon, the first official Sunday Service was delivered just one day later on November 23, 1969; without an official building dedicated as the church, the sermon was delivered in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Loren Theesfield; and

WHEREAS, On the following Sunday, church officers were elected and began working diligently to construct an official church; Pastor John Carlson was called to be the first pastor of Bethany Baptist Church; the first service in the newly constructed Church was delivered in January 1970; and

WHEREAS, The two families who started the church, the Graves and Ekstedt families, are still active members in the Bethany Baptist Church to this day; Bethany Baptist Church continues to lovingly serve the community surrounding Altona and faithfully teach the Gospel to all those who attend; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members, volunteers, and patrons of Bethany Baptist Church on the occasion of its 50th anniversary and wish them many more wonderful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Bethany Baptist Church members as a symbol of our esteem and respect.