Celebrating 100 Years of Loving and Serving Others
On Oct. 20, 1925 a group of faith-filled Lutherans founded Martin Luther Home (MLH), one of the two organizations that joined as Mosaic in 2003. On Oct. 5, 2025, Mosaic celebrated the 100th anniversary of that day with worship, speakers, food and games at Mosaic in Beatrice, Nebraska, which was formerly the main campus of Martin Luther Homes.
Around 350 guests, including people Mosaic supports and their family members, friends and donors of Mosaic and others attended the event. It coincided with the annual Home Day on the campus.
A fall-themed professional portrait station was a popular stop for families and friends.
“We were very impressed how well it was organized,” said Charles Dutton, who attended with his wife, Kay, who have two children living at the Mosaic campus. “I’m just so pleased that we invited the community too. Mosaic has been such a large part of the community for so many years. It’s fun to get together with people that have a deep love for Mosaic”
The celebration began with worship. The message from the Rev. Jim Fruehling, Ph.D, a longtime Mosaic partner and grandson of one of the founders of Martin Luther Home, was focused on Luke 4:16-20.
The Rev. Jim Fruehling, Ph.D., has a family heritage with Martin Luther Home. His grandfather, the Rev. William Fruehling, was one of the founders, and his father, the Rev. Richard Fruehling, was a long-time chaplain for the organization.
“At Mosaic, we have often said that we look back with gratitude, and we look forward with faith. I would like to add–we proceed with hope,” Pastor Fruehling said. “And hope does not forsake us. Further, in this context, hope does not refer just to a future event, but rather to the present moment as full of possibilities.”
He called people to act on that future.
“We are called to pre-enact, not reenact, but pre-enact deeds of love and mercy through which the heavenly kingdom comes; it’s already here and not yet. But we live and love and serve in such a way that the kingdom might, in fact, come on earth, as it is in heaven.
“Howard Thurman, the African-American theologian, and mystic said, ‘Don’t ask what the world needs; ask what makes you come alive, and then go do it!’”
The featured speaker was Linda Timmons, Mosaic’s President and CEO, who has been with the organization for more than 40 years, having started as a direct support professional while in high school.
“From the very beginning, we have been clear that God calls us to love and serve our neighbors, and this is how we respond,” Timmons said. “Once word of a Christian home and school was shared, children as young as 10 and 11 traveled by train to Sterling, Nebraska, to seize the opportunity for education and training so that they could live a full life.”
Linda Timmons noted the story of Martin Luther Home could be told as an immigrant story (German immigrants were the founders), a Midwestern story (the heritage of the pioneers strong work ethic), or a Lutheran story of faithful people responding to God’s call.
Timmons said the sense of community and growth Martin Luther Home brought to people is built on the Lutheran faith tradition, which remains “at the heart of what we do today.”
She went on to speculate what the founders of Martin Luther Home (three Lutheran pastors and two laymen) would think today.
“I think the answer is pretty straightforward,” she said, “they would be grateful for the thousands of people–people served and their families, our workforce, donors and volunteers, and community members – who remained passionate about ensuring that people who are often viewed as being at the margins, have the opportunity to live a full life, a life of their choosing.”
Each of those people, Timmons said, has been one piece of a long history.
“We, all of us gathered here today, are temporary caretakers of a mission that began more than a century ago when people identified a need and responded to God’s call. As caretakers of this mission, that steadfastness has been passed on to us, and in turn, we must pass it on to those who follow. It is a privilege to do so.”
A highlight of the day was the grand opening of the new Martin Luther Home Museum on the campus. The museum features a prominent timeline that leads people through significant developments in the Martin Luther Home history, culminating in 2003 as it joined Bethphage to create Mosaic.
Another view of the Founders’ Desk and the Martin Luther Home timeline in the background.
Calling the museum “awesome” and “a good start,” Alice Meints, who worked at Martin Luther Home for 15 years, said the event was like a personal homecoming for her.
“When I worked there, these folks became very near and dear to my heart,” she said. “I believe in the ministry, and I love those folks.”
A little help made everyone who played a winner in the ring toss.
Prominently featured in the museum are items that were made over the years by people supported. The displays include a full ceramic nativity set with wooden manger as well as figurines and other items; wooden wall coat hanging racks, a tabletop cross, a clock and wooden kitchen tools; and promotional items from years past. There’s also a loom, one of several used to create rugs and other items. A desk, referred to as the Founders’ Desk, that came from Sterling, Nebraska (original home of MLH), and an early typewriter greets people at the entrance.
Weaving was one of the skills Martin Luther Home residents learned as a way to support themselves.
Deanne Gerking attended the event with her husband, Jim, who previously served on the Martin Luther Home Board of Directors. Both remember attending Home Day events at the original Sterling, Nebraska campus, before MLH moved to Beatrice in 1956.
“I thought it was great,” Deanne said. “It was a well-planned day, and both speeches were memorable. We enjoyed the museum.”
Tours of the campus were available for those interested, and refreshments were served for the guests.
Refreshments included cookies and cupcakes, along with popcorn provided by the friends and families group.
Thank you to those who attended the celebration and helped make it a memorable day. Enjoy these photos commemorating the event.
A tattoo station was a popular attraction at the celebration.
RA number of games tested the skills (or luck) of players.