Terry will introduce and give a little background about how the Lord has blessed each of the congregations, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Plantation, FL, represented by Rev. Edwin Nicklas and Mrs. Jane Nicklas, and Tallmadge Lutheran Church, Tallmadge, OH, represented by Rev. Dr. David Zachrich and Mr. Wayne Schneider, using the script, as follows:
Thank you, President Kieschnick. It truly is a pleasure for me to introduce two outstanding congregations that God has richly blessed through the Transforming Churches Network’s mission revitalization process.
The first is Our Savior Lutheran Church, Plantation, Florida, represented by Rev. Edwin Nicklas and his wife, Jane. Pastor Nicklas and the people of Our Savior discovered that people in the city of Plantation did not know much about Our Savior Lutheran Church and why they were in the community. He realized that Our Savior needed a new way to do ministry in order to live out their vision statement, viz., SERVING CHRIST - SERVING OTHERS - CHANGING LIVES.
They started by adopting a local elementary school in the community. 30 members from Our Savior volunteer each week at the school as classroom aides, mentors, and office assistants.
Other community outreach projects at Our Savior include sending their "Kidz Choir" to a nursing home once a month to sing and do a worship service and participating in a Community Feeding Program.
In the words of Pastor Nicklas, “I thank God that He has put this new vision before us … Two weeks ago I had a member come to me and say, ‘Pastor I was totally against this process. I thought it would destroy our ministry by changing our church. I was wrong and want to be a mentor next school year and help change a life for Jesus Christ!"
We also thank God today for Tallmadge Lutheran Church, represented by Rev. David Zachrich and Mr. Wayne Schneider. Tallmadge celebrated its fiftieth anniversary this spring. However, according to Pastor Zachrich, the congregation had lost its passion for outreach. So, a little over a year ago they decided to begin the revitalization process and focus on living out their vision statement, which is: "God's work, through our hands, touching lives in the community.”
By God’s grace and power, that’s exactly what has happened. During the past year, attendance has increased by 28 per week, including five adult baptisms and 13 adult confirmations.
To reach out into its community, the congregation has, among other things:
· hosted an end of the year luncheon for the community high school faculty and staff which are its immediate neighbors;
· hosted an appreciation luncheon at a community park for the local police, fire fighters and emergency personnel, on September 11th;
· given a plate of cookies and a handwritten thank-you to all 275 teachers in the community school system; and,
· conducted several prayer-walks in the community.
To bolster discipleship, the congregation has created 'life transformational groups' that include Bible study, fellowship, and prayer, and has implemented a leadership training program.
In the words of Pastor Zachrich, “The Lord, through His Spirit, has opened many new doors of opportunity for Tallmadge Lutheran Church, and the congregation has pledged to be faithful and obedient in accepting the opportunities they are receiving to witness for Christ.”
Please join me in welcoming these two congregations to the convention.