Hadley Twp. – On a cold December night a caravan of 23 church members arrived at the township home of Earl Nicklas, 84, lifetime member of Christ Lutheran Church for a home Christmas communion service.
Due to a long illness, Earl is unable to leave his home.
Helen and Earl Nicklas have been living on their township farm since they were married 61 years ago.
‘Our farm is considered to be in the Hadley Hills on a mountain, and at the opening of the service, all of the church members sang, ‘Go Tell It on the Mountain,? that meant so much to Earl and I,? Helen said.
The outpouring at Christmas touched Earl who was baptized at the church in 1923.
‘It was very moving for us to have so many people come to our house for this church service, it was truly a blessing.?
Todd said he has been visiting shut-ins for three years while pastoring at Christ Lutheran Church and five years at previous churches.
‘I know that most of the people we have visited in their homes have had such a feeling of warmth from the evening, that it actually makes their remaining time here to be more joyous,? said Todd. At Christmas and Easter shut-ins are expecting more visitors than they actually get. It’s particularly difficult for them because at those two times of the year, they have a strong sense of family. When they don’t get the visits they expect, they can get very depressed.?