![]() “Naturally, that changed our plans, but we were resilient in the face of the tragedy.” “I was in the middle of writing the announcement to the congregation to inform them of our first Sunday back in the sanctuary for indoor worship when I received the news that the church was on fire,” Spigelmyer said. He said they had been excited to start gathering for worship together again, albeit outside, in June last year and were looking forward to returning to the sanctuary in September - and then the fire hit. “One thing that we learned throughout the COVID-19 pandemic was how to respond to the need for community when we couldn’t physically be together,” Spigelmyer said. Prior to that they were worshipping outside on the front lawn as a result of both the fire and pandemic, and they met virtually during the COVID-19 surge last winter. As such, they were able to hold worship services in the fellowship hall from November of last year to June 20 this year, when they returned to the sanctuary. that fateful day, credited the sprinkler system and quick response from the fire department with the building still standing in the aftermath of the fire. Spigelmyer, who rushed to the scene and arrived shortly after 3 p.m. 24, 2020, blaze, which as the result of an electrical issue in a 150-year-old pipe organ that was destroyed in the fire. Jim Hazelwood, bishop of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America worshipped alongside the Emmanuel Lutheran Church congregation at the rededication of the Fitchburg church’s sanctuary and preached the sermon. “This is a seminal moment in the life of our congregation and an important event in the life of the wider community as we are the only ELCA Lutheran congregation in the area,” Spigelmyer said. Jim Hazelwood, bishop of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran Church denomination in the country, worshipped alongside the congregation at the rededication and preached the sermon, and Sam Squailia attended, invited as a member of Fitchburg City Council. We learned that firsthand, through tears of sadness and joy, throughout this past year especially since the fire.” We learned the truth of our name, Emanuel, which means ‘God with us’ in Hebrew. “The rededication of our sanctuary means so many things to us,” he said. greeted the congregation with a beaming smile. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)Įnthusiastic “Hello friend!” salutations among church members were overheard and Pastor Daniel Spigelmyer Jr. The sanctuary of the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Fitchburg was officially rededicated last Sunday after being rebuilt following a fire last year. FITCHBURG - Over 150 souls gathered in the sanctuary of Emanuel Lutheran Church last Sunday for the rededication of the house of worship that has literally risen from the ashes following a fire last year that desecrated the sanctuary. ![]()
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