Church - More than a Building, It is the People

SEELEY LAKE – Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Seeley Lake and Faith Lutheran of Condon joined together Sunday, July 31 for a combined worship and celebration of 50 years. Current members and those connected to the church from the past shared the sentiment that the church is not a building, it's the people. It has been the people, under God's leadership and blessing, that made the two churches continue for the past 50 years.

During the sermon, current Pastor Erik Iverson asked the congregation what is a church. His definitions included God's Word, God's Presence around His Word, the meeting of two or more Christians together and the bride of Christ. He highlighted different places where people across the globe have met and worshiped together. But it never was the outside structure that was the church, it was those inside gathered with Christ in their midst.

A parishioner from a sister church in Hamilton, Mont. shared how he loved founding Pastor Reverend Al Pullmann, even before he caught him out fishing when he should have been in church. Pullmann was out with several others collecting cedar for the cedar shake roofs in Seeley Lake and Condon when he ran into the parishioner out fishing.

"You know I've looked really hard but I don't remember seeing you in church," the parishioner recalled Pullmann saying. "[Pullmann] said 'Would you like to help us get some cedar shakes?' I said OK. What are you going to do?" He joined the church and helped put the shakes on the roof.

During the celebration, Arlo Pullmann, son of the Reverend Pullmann, quoted Psalm 127, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. As Pastor Iverson said in his sermon that the Lord has been with you throughout these 50 years so it isn't just the actual building. It is the people. The Lord continues to build that church."

Eighteen of the Pullmanns came to the celebration along with Al's wife Marjorie. Marjorie shared how reluctant she was to come to Seeley Lake after just having purchased a home in Missoula with her four children. She insisted that they find a place to live before moving to Seeley Lake. They rented a little cabin next to the church property.

"The Lord has blessed it," said Marjorie. "It is amazing how he works through reluctant people to get something done."

Reverend Dan Wurster, pastor from 1996-2001, shared how the congregation embraced his family when his daughter was diagnosed with cancer. They had been in Seeley Lake less than six month when they found out she was sick.

"This congregation gathered around us and it was neat," said Wurster.

Wurster remembered when Ethel Hoehn did the stained glass in the sanctuary. Every window was in memory of someone. They don't have plaques with them because Wurster said they were to the glory of God.

They dedicated the windows during a Christmas Eve service.

"I remember flipping the switch and all the color came in," said Wurster. "I still remember the sermon. When Christ comes into your life, He brings light and life and joy. And that's what those windows did."

"It's not just the building, it was a building of people," said Wurster. "The church is still here. You stuck with it. You are dedicated to the mission. As long as people gather around in His word and He's the center and you're dedicated to bringing His word to the community there will be a congregation."