PDF Our Saviour's Lutheran Church Annual Report: 2013 2014

Our Saviour's Lutheran Church Annual Report: 2013-2014

Published June, 2014

Knowing Jesus and Making Jesus Known

From Pastor John Gerike, Senior Pastor

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of

the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey

everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always,

to the end of the age."

~Matthew

28:19-20

In the midst of significant change for Our Saviour's, God continues to gather us in, give us life, and send us out in mission. There is great comfort in knowing that, even as much changes, God's love for us never changes. God is with us always and forever.

Annual reports are usually a time to look back over the last year (in this case from July 2013 until June 2014). That's a bit of a challenge for me, since I've only been here since February. However, let me share some things I see:

The people of Our Saviour's are passionate about outreach and service. That's one of the things that drew me to this congregation. You care about making a difference. You want to have an impact. And you want to do that in a way that affirms the mutuality of giving--that as you give you are also receiving. As you walk with others in the congregation and community, they are also walking with you, and God is giving life.

The people of Our Saviour's care deeply for one another. For some of you, those relationships go back for many years and it is fun to see them continue. For others, you are making new connections and new friends. I pray that we may continue to develop patterns that encourage strong relationships built around our relationship with God.

The people of Our Saviour's are generous. Your generosity has been shown in your response to the Debt Elimination campaign. We have made wonderful progress in eliminating debt and continued progress will give us more opportunity to focus on mission. You are also very generous in supporting those ministries closest to your heart. God points us in lots of different directions and you make a real difference by giving your time and treasure in those ways.

The people of Our Saviour's are open to following God in new and exciting directions. We're still discovering where God is leading us, but I have sensed a spirit of willingness to explore and wonder together. That's exciting for me.

The people of Our Saviour's are people who know Jesus and make Jesus known.

Annual reports are also a time to look ahead. In recent Monthly Connections articles, I have shared 3 priorities that I have identified for the coming months.

The first priority is to clarify our vision for living as one church with two campuses.

The second priority is to develop a staffing plan for vision.

The third priority is to foster a sense of collaborative partnership with staff and congregational leaders.

God continues to lead us in exciting directions as we share in ministry together. I pray that you may know the good news that, as we go, God is always with us and God is always leading us. I look forward to the next year following where God leads.

In Christ, Pastor John Gerike

From Lynda Devore, Executive Director

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

~Romans 8:28 (NASB)

This week I had the privilege of spending some time with a friend. During our conversation we reflected on our meeting two weeks earlier. At that time she and I both were experiencing seemingly insurmountable issues in certain aspects of our lives. As we were discussing where those issues stood at this moment, we both realized God had worked it all out for both of us and all was good. My friend said, "Lynda, I honestly don't know why I ever worry. You would think by now that I would learn that God will find a way to work it out." The week before she had said, "I don't have any control over this situation and I don't like that. If I could handle it, I know I could get it straightened out". But as we talked about how God had worked it out, she realized that the solution He came up with was far better than hers ever could have been and that He had done much more than solve the problem; he had used the problem to create a better future.

As I reflected over the past year, I read the article I had prepared last year for this report. It talked about all the changes that had happened and were still coming. Those were times, I recall, that we were all feeling a bit overwhelmed by the changes and challenges that still lay ahead. Even though we know change is real and necessary, it can still cause us to worry and have deep concerns. Yet, we can see that with each change that has happened there is the reality of God's promise. God IS working it all together for good. We haven't yet seen the full realization of His promise, but as it unfolds, we can trust that it will be good. What last year seemed to some like insurmountable challenges, God has worked out in ways that are even better than we could have imagined. We launched a debt elimination campaign without a Senior Pastor and to date have reduced our 6.5

million dollar debt to below 5 million. We launched a search for the right, new, Senior Pastor with the goal in mind to have completed the

search by the end of December (we were told this was most likely an unrealistic goal). We not only succeeded in our goal to do it by December, God provided Pastor Gerike. Far more than we could ever have imagined in his fit for this congregation. We said good-bye to a beloved associate pastor, but God has provided us with Pastor Jade! A gift far greater then we could have even hoped for. We experience several staff opening, losing people we thought were irreplaceable and yet in each case God has provided new staff with the gifts we need now.

The list goes on and on.

God is indeed working all things together for good here at Our Saviour's. He is doing far more than we even imagined. And we can continue to trust in his promise in the year ahead. Yes, there will be more challenges and changes, but as we love God and follow Him according to His purpose, we have the assurance, it will all be good.

Respectfully submitted, Lynda DeVore

2013 - 2014 Council Members

Our Saviour's Church Council plays an important role in the life of our faith community. The members work closely with the leaders of the church to make decisions that affect finances, staff and the overall direction the church will head.

Lane Lewis - Chairperson Lane and his wife, Johanna, have just celebrated their 20th anniversary with Our Saviour's, having joined in 1993. Lane has served as usher, sound monitor, on Evangelisim/Stewardship Boards, Stephen Minister, Junior High Youth Mentor, 2003 Capital Appeal Co-Chair, and Ministry in Mozambique. His hope for Our Saviour's is that we might further our mission of Knowing Jesus and Making Jesus Known by eliminating our debt, enabling increased stewardship for learning and ministry locally and abroad.

Julie Michael - Vice Chariperson Julie Michael has been a member at Our Saviour's for 12 years. She is married to George and has 2 children: Billy and Lauren. Julie is a mentor for the Jr. High students in Surge, an active member of CARE moms, committee chair for the Youth Auction and serves on the Altar Guild. A full time realtor, when not at church, she enjoys yoga, reading and her dogs.

Bill Tadevich - Secretary Bill Tadevich, and wife, Tuula, and their two children, Hanna and Alex, have been members at Our Saviours for 8-1/2 years. Bill has, and continues, to be involved in Youth Ministry Program as a mentor (for both Surge and Ignition) , the Music Ministry (Gathering band and Element band), Africa Ministry, PADS, small group studies and various boards and call committees. Bill's hopes for Our Saviour's in the future: "I would like to see Our Saviour's continue to grow in equipping people with the tools to deepen Biblical knowledge. This will not only foster a closer relationship with God for members, but a stronger base for evangelism and outreach to our community and our global missions."

Cindy Huenecke Thirty two years ago, Cindy and her husband, Dave, joined Our Saviour's along with their three children: Sean, Todd, and Molly. Her involvement here over the years has included Social Ministry Committee, Health Committee, Choir, Celebration Clinic, Mega Garage Sale, PADS, and teaching Sunday School. She also has served a short term on Church Council previously. Cindy's professional career, as a Registered Nurse, has been as Staff Nurse at several area hospitals, and in Management in Senior Housing and nursing homes in the western suburbs. She has a committed sense of mission to help others in other countries, but also to reaching out to the people of our own community. Cindy believes her strong faith, commitment to her church and connecting with others in Knowing Jesus and Making Jesus Known is important in serving our congregation.

Greg Nasman Greg Nasman and wife, LeeAnn, have been members at Our Saviour's for 19 years. Their children are: Cole and Carly. Greg is the Director of Sales for AT&T, and in his free time he enjoys golf, exercise, and playing/coaching and watching sports. Greg has been active in the life of Our Saviour's and has been a Church School Teacher, on the Fair Way to Heaven Golf Committee, a PADS Volunteer and a Celebration Clinic Volunteer.

Christine Robinson Christine and her husband, Steve have been members of Our Saviour's for 17 years. Their children: Elise, Matthew and Stephanie are all active in the high school ministries at Our Saviour's. Christine has been involved in many different ministries over the years and is currently a communion server, greeter and member of the Hospitality Committee. Her hope for the future of Our Saviour's is that through our mission of Knowing Jesus and Making Jesus Known, we actively get more members involved and connected to the church through the many different opportunities that Our Saviour's has to offer.

Jennifer Schuler Jennifer Schuler and husband, Craig, have been members at Our Saviour's for the past 13 years. They have four daughters: Lorraine, Eleanor, Rosellen and Eileen. Her past involvement includes Church School Shepherd and teacher, VBS, Meals for Moms, Pastoral Call Committee, and Baby Care Kits. Jennifer's hope for the future, " I hope Our Saviour's can be a supportive, interactive faith community in the future.

Lee S. Selander Lee S. Selander and wife, Iris Hannon, have been members at Our Saviour's for 27 years. Their children are: Mark Selander, Kathryn Herrmann (Selander), Tim Hannon, Stephanie Leitch (Hannon), Kelsey Hannon. Lee has been on the Finance Board for the last 10 plus years, Capital Campaign caller and committee member several times , Men's CHRP, small group book discussion ( Rick Warren's book ), Take 2, Men Sing. "My hope for our congregation is that we will continue to "Make Jesus Known" through the faithful engagement of a growing and vibrant congregation that supports our many missions with their time, talent and financial resources."

John Updegraff John and his wife, Kristin Reenstjerna, have been members at Our Saviour's for 8 years now. They have two grown children: Erin and Ashley. He is a facilitator at the Career Transition workshop and an usher here at Our Saviour's. Professionally, John has spent over 35 years is sales and sales management. Currently he is Vice President of Sales for Highland Baking Company where they make hamburger buns, and sandwich breads.

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