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State of the ChurchSENIOR PASTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT TO THE CONGREGATION“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw offeverything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run withperseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer andperfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)One of the many challenges we face in the Christian life is how much focus should beplaced on the past as we strain to keep our eyes mainly focused on Jesus and the finishline that lies ahead. It makes me think of an Allstate Insurance commercial that shows aman focused on his rear-view mirror because of the car tailgating him. However, he failsto see that the car in front of him has come to a stop. You can guess what happens next.This, I believe, is the challenge before us as “the Body of Christ.” How much focus do weplace upon the past and how much of our focus needs to be on our future? My position,after 26 and half years in pastoral ministry, is that we must learn from the past, however,most of our focus needs to be on the future.However, on an occasion such as this it is appropriate to spend some time looking backat this past year. As I review this past year I am mostly left with a feeling of.GRATITUDE.God has blessed us with this “great cloud of witnesses” (YOU being an important part ofthat cloud). The result of your effort and God’s grace has been a growing, thrivingcongregation with a long track record of success. We continue to disciple dozens ofministries that are changing lives.for the glory of God.Some of our ministries are quite well known in our community: American Lutheran ChurchPreschool; Vacation Bible School; Celebrate Recovery; Mothers of Preschoolers; Womenof Wisdom; Crossfire (men’s ministry); Walk Through Bethlehem; and our CommunityMeal.Other ministries here at ALC may be less well known in the broader community, but theyare also very important: Connections (Sunday morning adult ed.); Sunday School; Jr. andSr. High School ministry; Passion for Life (music ministry); Ignite (small group Biblestudies); numerous men’s and women’s Bible studies; numerous prayer ministries; knittersand quilters; Widowers’ Lunch Bunch; Hand in Hand Widow’s ministry, Retired andResourceful; special needs ministries (Beautiful Signers, Heavenly Chimers, & FriendshipBible Study); Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts, Terrific Tuesday Lunch; and many, many more.10

In addition to all of these ministries we impact thousands of souls around the world throughour annual benevolence (10% of our offerings, approx. 150,000 a year). Because of yourgenerosity we continue to support struggling congregations; mission congregations; HopeClinic in Guinea, West Africa; Prison/Jail Ministry; Habitat for Humanity; the local food bank& Community Cupboard; Hungry Kids; Coalition for Compassion & Justice; MissionaryAviation Fellowship; Servant Partners to the Urban Poor; Children of the Nation; OneHope, and many more ministries.However, we have also removed three ministries this year: Cursillo (we discontinued thisministry due to a theological conflict with the leadership in Phoenix); Teen’s Closet (thisincredible ministry is now being sponsored by another group connected with CatholicCharities that will provide them additional needed space); and Good News Puppet Ministry(Dick Morgan has indicated he needs to take a break and we have yet to find someone totake over this ministry).The point I want to make is that we could place most of our focus on what we are alreadydoing well.for the glory of God. Who could blame us? All these ministries are veryimpressive and we can and should be proud of our efforts on the Lord’s behalf.However, as much as we have already accomplished through these various ministries, Ibelieve we have too many ministry opportunities before us to start placing most of ourfocus on what is in our rear- view mirror. Jay Collier, one of our Council Coordinators, putit this way: “There is a reason your windshield is as big as it is and your rear-view mirroris as small as it is.”I am excited about what lies ahead of us. One example of a focus on the future is ournewly-formed Bus Ministry. What an awesome example of how the vision of a few Spiritled members is now becoming a wonderful reality because this congregation raised over 50,000 in a few short weeks to purchase our new handicapped accessible bus. Ournewly-formed Bus Ministry is just one example of the way our congregation and ourleadership keeps’ its focus squarely on the future.I also want to address the fact that we have been looking very seriously at a buildingremodel and expansion. As many of you already know, our fellowship hall is no longeradequate for the ministries that use it or even as a gathering space for congregationalspecial events. The fellowship hall is also our primary worship space for contemporaryworship, and that ministry has grown dramatically the last few years leaving ourcontemporary worship limited space for future growth.Additionally, our congregational leadership has recognized a need to make some tweaksto our sanctuary in order to enhance our traditional worship. We have been exploring waysto upgrade and improve our sound system as well as add a large video monitor.Another focus of a possible future building expansion would be a common gathering spacethat would tie both ends of our building together and give us a large, open, welcomingspace to gather for fellowship and a common area for those arriving and leaving worship.11

The church council has recognized a need for us to be more intentional about bringingtogether for fellowship those from the contemporary and traditional worship venues.We would not be able to do what we do and dream what we dream if it were not for theamazing and faithful financial support and volunteer effort put forth by the members of thiscongregation. Your generosity of time, talent, and financial resources is such a blessingand clearly a reflection of your love for this ministry and your love for the Lord!It is an honor and blessing to be your pastor and I am so proud of the way you take soseriously your call as disciples for the Lord.I look forward to several more years of ministry, God willing, working alongside you for theglory of God. I do admit that my health (Rheumatoid Arthritis) has certainly taken a toll onme, primarily in the areas of pain management and fatigue. However, I do not believe thatGod is finished with me yet and I feel strongly that the Lord continues to call me to pastorAmerican Lutheran Church as I enter “the home stretch.”I want to finish this letter by expressing my deepest gratitude for Pastors Erich and Don,my pastoral partners, and also for an incredible support staff and church council that makeit a joy to remain a part of this ministry. I cannot than YOU enough for YOUR love, support,and prayers this past year (for myself, LuAnne, and for our family).Most of you know what a challenging year it has been for our family and your prayers arehaving a major impact on each of us. We are humbled by your thoughtfulness and efforton our behalf. Keep your prayers coming. God bless American Lutheran Church, and Godbless each of you!Pastor Jack12

State of the ChurchREPORT FROM ASSOCIATE PASTOR“The aim of God in history is the creation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons,with Himself included in that community as its prime sustainer and most gloriousinhabitant.” Dallas WillardGod has given us another beautiful year together. We have seen the power of our Lord atwork in the hearts and minds of those at American Lutheran Church serving to make adifference to the glory of God! God unceasingly answers our prayers and provides for ourneeds as we faithfully center our personal lives, our families, our friendships and ourchurch activities and ministries on His unfading, living and active Word.God’s call to all Christians great and small is to grow His Kingdom of light through thepower of the Holy Spirit living within us! This last year I have seen His Kingdom grow inour midst. Our Sunday services have grown in numbers and become moreintergenerational with increasing families. This, in part, is due to our thriving Children,Youth and Family Ministries. Parents are always looking for a place that is spiritually aliveand fun for kids too! It further shows our church to be a place for all people, of all ages andbackgrounds!Once again, it has been an honor and pleasure, this last year, to serve with such greatpastors. Pastor Jack Shannon, faithfully demonstrates solid leadership as senior pastor ofour congregation. He is a dear friend and brother in Christ. It has been blessing to servealongside him as we support one another through our pastoral work, fellowship and prayer.We share a common love and hope for the future of our church. Our Pastor of CaringMinistry, Don McMillian is also a dear friend and a wonderful man to serve with. He has asincere love for God and His people. I believe we three make a good team with variedstrengths and spiritual gifts that God has given us to effectively fulfill our calling toAmerican Lutheran Church.Having offered my gratitude for the pastors I serve with, our calling to American LutheranChurch would be nothing without the extraordinary men and women serving as staffmembers, as ministry leaders, as council members, as those who volunteer their time andenergy to serve on Sundays and throughout the week, along with each member of ourcongregation that continues to pray and generously support our church. We pastors haveoften reflected on how blessed we are for all that you do to make our fellowship complete13

and our ministries effective to the glory of the Kingdom. We are one in Christ by thepresence and power of the Holy Spirit in us. Together, we are His body—His hands andfeet, His face of love and truth to all the world around us. The Lord bless you.This last year was certainly a year of growth for our congregation and with growth comesnew challenges. One of the greatest challenges we face is providing ample space for ourgrowing Sunday services and ministries. How blessed we are to have a church that aimsto stay ahead of the ball. This last year our council formed a building committee made upof very competent people from our congregation to explore ways to properly address thisissue. Another challenge that follows growth has to do with properly evaluating ourministries to make sure that they are effectively fulfilling the will of God for ourcongregation. Sometimes God allows one ministry to expire in order for another to take itsplace to better address relevant needs for our church and community. One question Ibelieve is so important for us to continually consider is: “How can we, withoutcompromising our fidelity to Jesus Christ and God’s Word, more effectively be ‘all thingsto all people?’” This was the Apostle’s passionate goal expressed in 1 Corinthians 9:1923.I see the upcoming year as beautifully and powerfully building upon 2019’s expandingfoundation. With the new men and women that God has called into our fellowship theselast few years to offer their talents and passion for the Lord’s work, I expect that God willcontinue to make our church an increasing light on the hill. Our mission is biblically twofold:First, to effectively proclaim the saving Gospel and, second, to provide opportunities formen in women who have surrendered their life to Christ to grow in their relationship withGod and other Christians through discipleship to Jesus. I believe this is clearly reflected inour mission statement: “In the Name of Christ, We GATHER, GROW, and GO!”There is no greater consideration to finalize my thoughts on American Lutheran Churchthan to focus on God’s love. Everything good begins and never ends with God’s agapelove. His love is out-bound. It is continually leaving Him like light and heat from the sun. Itis selflessly aimed away from Himself and towards His beloved. And the amazing thing isthat His love never grows faint or fails to accomplish its purpose. Dallas Willard writes:“We are directed by Paul to ‘be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love,just as Christ also loved you and gave himself up for us.’ (Eph. 5:1-2) We are called andenabled to love as God loves.” This is our aim above all others. I see this higher God-lovecoursing through the people and ministries of our church. This is what it means to be trulyChristian. May it continue to grow powerfully this next year as we humbly make it ourintention to follow Him with every fiber of our being and draw as many people as possibleto His open arms of grace!To live is Christ,Pastor Erich W. Sokoloski14

Annual Ministry Report – 2019Ministry/DepartmentReported submitted byPastor of Caring MinistriesPastor Don F. sPastoral care, visitation, senior ministry, preaching and teaching as needed.Primary contact for funeral ministry.2019 StatisticsI. Pastoral Ministrya. Member visits:98b. Non-member visits:24c. Homebound visits:84d. Text messages:1,114e. Telephone calls939II. Pastoral Acts and Contactsa. Hospital Visitsb. Hospice/Nursing home visitsc. Private Communiond. Funeral Actse. Baptismf. Weddingg. Consultationsh. Classes taughti. Sermons written99107872101230029III. 2019 MinistryA. Funeral Ministry: Celebration of Life, memorial service, committal service, orfuneral – this is a significant ministry of ALC; averaging one service every 2-3weeks. About 20-25 services each year. Scheduling is unpredictable and asks extracommitment of staff and pastors. In 2019 the ALC Crossroads Columbarium wasput to greater use for placing cremated ashes of members. I invite you to considerusing the columbarium for your final disposition. You may see this beautifuloutdoor garden space for yourself by exiting our lower level near the sanctuaryand following the concrete walkway to your left as you near the parking lot. Apersonal note: local funeral homes have difficulty finding pastors to handleservices for those not of any church. I usually say, “Yes” to these calls, andconsider it an outreach opportunity and a way to share the love of Jesus.B. Care Partners: Volunteer care givers met regularly through the year. Ourministry has been challenged by health issues among the group, but they continueto serve with joy as they find needs. Care Partner Charlie Clegg coordinates ourSunday bus ministry for seniors.C. Terrific Tuesday Lunch (TTL): TTL adult lunch fellowship met eight times duringthe year with informative and entertaining programs. TTL continues in 2020.15

D. Widowers: An informal gathering of men meets monthly at a local restaurantfor sharing and fellowship. These guys enjoy a common bond filled with lifeexperiences and faith.E. Outside worship: In 2019, it was a joy to lead monthly communion at WillowWind Care Center, and lead Protestant worship six times at Samaritan Village. ALCmembers are welcome to come to Samaritan Village and assist residents withholding hymnals and turning pages. Special thanks are extended to Linda Bushand Vonna Reynolds for playing piano for those worship times. Our early 2020dates are February 2, April 5, and June 7.2019HighlightsGood Books I have read this year: Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You by JohnOrtberg. Creating a Healthier Church: Family Systems Theory, Leadership, andCongregational Life by Ronald W. Richardson Rocket Men; The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 by Robert KursonA. That we would grow in faith, and trust in God’s will to a greater level.Vision for2020B. That we would increase our openness to serving God, being willing to goand do as God leads us, and praying before we say, “Yes,” or “No.” Thereis no retirement plan. Life serving God is a fantastic adventure.16

Annual Ministry Report – 2019Staff ReportsMinistry/DepartmentReported submitted byMissionResponsibilityAdministrationJill Spasaro, DirectorProvides Parish Staff leadership, direct supervision, and coordination forparish administration and parish programs. Promotes participation ofmembership in congregational and community events. Responsible forAdministrative Operations, budget development, advertising and publicity,communications, parish records, and support for all members andministries.WOW! What a year! So many challenges, highlights and a year full ofgrowth.2019HighlightsThe beginning of the year brought the challenge of finances, workingthrough a new budget and setting up our accounting system online. Thefinance team has been tremendous in the work that’s been done to get anaccurate, real-time view of the church’s spending and saving. In May,Cinda, our bookkeeper, decided the accounting job had become too muchfor one day’s work and opted to leave. Thankfully, Abbie is a finance majorand was able to take on the position. She is a quick learner and is doing agreat job.We are blessed with a congregation that is so kind with their giving. We justfinished this year’s budget process and it went very smoothly, and theministry numbers were extremely accurate. The hard work we put intofinances this year has really paid off. This will be a huge help as we planfor a full review from an outside firm this summer.On the administration side, I am blessed to have an amazing staff thatcontinues to enrich my life, the ministries and congregation. The staffconsists of many gifted and loyal individuals: Administrative AssistantsRachel Williams & Abbie Cornelius (also bookkeeper); Receptionist RitaBrammer; A/V Larry Lee; Food Service Coordinator Doug Book; FacilityCoordinators Denny Larson & Ed Carr (soon to retire); Lloyd Cox (newlyhired); and Custodian Cyndi Carr.2019 overview: Participation in regular Parish Staff, Program Staff,Worship & Music Committee, Church Council meetings; supervision ofParish Life staff (food services, custodial, audio-visual, and office) andoutsourced cleaning contractor; oversight of parish records (personnel,property, membership, insurance); coordination of employee benefits;management of facilities and vehicles; responsibility for advertising,17

2019Highlightspublicity and congregational communications (internet, Facebook, print,radio and television); budget preparation and responsibility forAdministrative Operations, Advertising, Parish Life, and Special Events;coordinating and presenting bi-annual New Member classes; preparing forfunerals; organizing special congregational events; equipping newministries with tools and facilities as necessary; working in coordination withthe Council Coordinator of Property & Assets a

Connie Ellis *(denotes an outgoing council member) ENDOWMENT BOARD Brenda Keith (3-year term ending 2022) COUNCIL RESIGNATIONS IN 2020: Susan Hutson - Adult Education (completed partial 1st term) Polly Lamkin - Stewardship (completed 3-year term) Bill Morris - President (completed 3-year term and a partial 2nd term)