April Osterstock opened the dedication service for the cornerstone at Mount Zion Lutheran Church on March 17.

She said Jeff Wetzel wanted the pictures from a year of celebration put into a presentation to begin the service.

She showed the photos set to music.

DVDs of the same program were for sale after the service.

The early German settlers brought their prayer books and Bibles from the old country.

These were among the things they thought necessary for their salvation.

The celebration year began with the church bell ringing 250 times with various people taking a turn at ringing it.

There were pictures from the master tanners, master weavers, winemakers, blacksmiths and stonecutters who built the community.

For May, the pictures depicted an old-fashioned fashion show as clothes found in a used clothing store provided the fashions.

June was the Founder's Day service and was celebrated with an original song, "Mount Zion, Christ the Cornerstone," which they want incorporated in the next hymnal published.

Organist Sylvia Keller, who has played piano since she was 4, wrote the song.

Throughout were pictures of new families captioned "The Church family grows."

In October, Bishop Samuel Zeiser visited and Harvest Home was celebrated.

The December Christmas program remembered the church forefathers who made the anniversary celebration possible.

Osterstock presented certificates to three individuals who were especially helpful in the celebration.

These included Otto Gruber, who gave the church an old newspaper with story and pictures of the old church being dynamited in 1923 to make room for a new one and Andrew Frederick, who removed the cornerstone and will reinstall it, when the weather is warmer.

In addition, Doug Gaumer made the time capsule, a stainless steel box, that will protect the new contents of the cornerstone.

Council President Blair Free presented another three certificates.

They went to Jeff Wetzel, who said he hoped they set the foundation for another 250 years.

Helen Wessner was given a certificate for doing "everything no one else wants to do."

For the celebration year, she was on the Summer Fest and Restoration committees.

The third person was Osterstock who said she had no words.

"This is the first time I've been speechless," Osterstock said. "It's been a joy to serve God and to serve you."

The Rev. James Hammond said no one should think their contributions are small.

He gave the invocation, saying in part, "Holy God, we are here today to dedicate the cornerstone for the house of worship. We have come this far by faith and we do not doubt Your approval of our Godly purpose. We built this sacred place for worship, praise, prayer and instruction in Your Word."

He then told the story of Ben, a slave, who helped an injured lion.

When they met later in an arena, the lion refused to attack Ben and the emperor freed them both.

"Why do I tell this story?" Hammond asked. "During the Lenten season, we look toward that which transforms our lives. New possibilities lie ahead.

"Be bold, step up and say, 'Yes, I can in Jesus.'"

On display were parish records, financial records, church records, by-laws beginning with the rules and regulations when the church was New Jerusalem, and an old Bible donated by Tim Gehman.

The old items, some water damaged, from the time capsule were displayed as well as those going into the new capsule.

Among them are a bulletin from the dedication service, a new "International Version of the Holy Bible, 2010 proof set of coins, original coin from 1923, a 250th anniversary history booklet, the music and story about "Mount Zion, Christ the Cornerstone" by Sylvia Keller, Lutheran Prayerbook, Christian Liberty, DVD video showing anniversary activities, biography of the Rev. J.O. Schlenker, who was pastor when the church was built in 1923, electronic version of the history book, current list of members and USB drive with the articles and movies.

Each member received a complimentary history booklet.

In closing, Hammond said the laying of the cornerstone would be given, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We lay this stone in the foundation of this house dedicated to the worship and service of God, where his Word shall be preached and His worship maintained. Amen."