H*4969 Resolution, By Huggins and Ballentine
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE IRMO'S MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH ON THE
 OCCASION OF ITS SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR ALMOST
 EIGHT DECADES OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

   04/08/08  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-6

TO RECOGNIZE IRMO'S MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF ITS SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR ALMOST EIGHT DECADES OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

Whereas, having been organized in 1931 and established in 1933, Irmo's Mt. Olive Lutheran Church will celebrate its seventy-fifth anniversary in April of 2008; and

Whereas, although it saw its beginnings during the Great Depression, a time when very few members had regular income, the congregation of Mt. Olive Lutheran demonstrated a strong faith and devotion and gave of the gifts and talents they had been given by their Lord to build a beautiful brick church, which was dedicated on August 27, 1933; and

Whereas, over the years, God blessed the congregation, and its members were able to construct a parsonage and an educational building, as well as purchase additional property. Various renovations were completed, including refurbishment of the parsonage for use as church offices, Sunday School rooms, and a nursery, and, more recently, church members have rejoiced in completion of a new fellowship and educational building, along with renovation of the sanctuary to include seating for three hundred; and

Whereas, standing on the faith and strength of its early pastors and members, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church's present congregation "press[es] toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14), continuing to preach and teach the unadulterated Word of God and serving its own, as well as the community, through such ministries as Sunday School, the Men's Bible Breakfast Club, Women's Circles, and High School Youth Group; and

Whereas, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church has been a beacon of light in its community for seventy-five years, and, God willing, led by its current senior pastor, the Reverend Paul C. Sizemore, will continue its godly heritage in many more years of worship and service. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize Irmo's Mt. Olive Lutheran Church on the occasion of its seventy-fifth anniversary and commend the church for almost eight decades of service to the community.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Pastor Paul C. Sizemore on behalf of the congregation of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church.