Oktoberfest 2012!

Announcing 

the Seventeenth Annual
Oktoberfest! 

(and Gottesdienst Central)

at St. Paul’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church, Kewanee, Illinois

October 7-9, 2012 (Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday)

Conference theme: 

“Can Anything Good Come Out of the Nineteenth Century?”

This year’s Oktoberfest is celebrating the Sesquicentennial of St. Paul’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Kewanee, Illinois

. . . and therefore bringing Dr. Lawrence Rast (President  of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne) to town to treat us to this special seminar on Lutheranism in the nineteenth century.

The event begins Sunday, October 7th, with choral vespers at 5 pm. Retired Pastor Kenneth Wegener, who was the pastor at St. Paul’s from 1973-1995, will be preaching.

Following the service will be our annual bratwurst banquet.  Dr. Rast will be asked to give a synopsis of his Monday seminar at the banquet.

Following the banquet is the after-the-party party, at Pastor Eckardt’s home.  It’s been called the best party on the block, and those who have been to it in prior years can attest.

On Monday October 8th, the day begins with a sesquicentennial mass at 9:30 a.m.  Newly elected Central Illinois President Mark Miller will preach for the gala occasion.

Following mass and a continental breakfast, Dr. Rast will hold forth for the rest of the day, in two sessions running until about 3:00, followed by vespers.

On Tuesday October 9th, the conference will continue without Dr. Rast, as those who remain will discuss the use and purpose of the Lord’s Prayer in the Liturgy of the Divine Service.  The Tuesday sessions, will be framed by morning low mass (spoken Divine Service) and Vespers.

Lodging: AmericInn, 4823 US Hwy 34. 309-856-7200 (special rate $89.90 per night, a $15 discount off the listed price.  Mention St. Paul’s Oktoberfest when you register.)
Super 8 Motel, 901 S Tenney (Rt 78). 309-853-8800
Aunt Daisy’s B&B, 223 W Central Blvd.  888-422-4148
Kewanee Motor Lodge, 400 S Main St.  309-853-4000
Days Inn, I-80 & Rt 40, Sheffield. 815-454-2361
Holiday Inn Express, I-80 & Rt 78, Annawan. 309-935-6565

REGISTRATION: $25 per person (students $20) $40 per couple — includes Sunday banquet and Monday continental; no charge for children with parents.  To register, refer to the column at the right.