Lutheran Church of Our Savior holds celebration for Pastor Donald C. Schaefer’s retirement
Members of The Lutheran Church of Our Savior and family members came together Aug. 17 for a dinner and celebration of Pastor Donald C. Schaefer's decades of ministry. They were treated to an evening of music and heartfelt testimonials and stories from Schaefer’s years at the church.
He was also honored by the Delaware Senate for his many years of service to the community. Also celebrated that night was the service of Schaefer’s wife Marcia, who recently stepped down from her position as choir director. Marcia led the group for years with amazing energy and a pure love for music. Both of these servants leave behind a wonderful legacy and lasting memories of their years of working for their Lord.
Donald Schaefer preached at The Lutheran Church of Our Savior for the last time as church pastor Aug. 31 after 14 years of service to that congregation, and 40 years in ministry. While at LCOS, Schaefer became known for his tireless support of its members and many visitors. He became recognized for his thoughtful and inspiring sermons, and was regarded as a visionary leader. His efforts were obvious to those in the church, through the growth of the congregation, its staff and the facility itself, but they were felt well beyond the walls of LCOS.
Through Schaefer’s guidance, the congregation’s ministry reached around the globe through the people served by a very successful English as a Second Language program and through the more than 10,000 meals served to the international students who augment the seasonal workforce in the area.
Schaefer was also the leader of the Appalachian Servant Event for 30 years. This annual mission to the mountainous region of North Carolina brought servants from congregations across the country together to help the poor and elderly with home repairs and septic system installations they could not afford or provide for themselves.
A scholarship fund to honor Donald and Marcia Schaefer was established by the congregation to help defray costs for those wishing to participate in future servant events. Schaefer also participated in servant events in areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, and traveled to India and Peru on a recent mission trip. Schaefer also volunteered to lead worship services at Cadbury at Lewes retirement community and at Cape Henlopen State Park.
