The Summit

Although we made our congregation’s annual report available even to those who didn’t attend the annual meeting, I can’t assume that everybody read it.  Therefore, I would like to highlight a few things from the report submitted.

1. This is our 70^th year as a congregation.  I would like for a few volunteers with a history here to step up and plan a few anniversary related activities. (The church started on “the edge of town” in a school at State & Alpine!)
2. This is my 40^th year in ordained ministry, the last 16 at Alpine.  During this time we have trained and mentored 10 interns (vicars) who are now serving God all over the country (world).   We also have two Alpiners in seminary.
3. Because of births in the congregation not keeping up with deaths, and since some in our fellowship departed after an ELCA decision in 2009, our average worship attendance has slipped to 202 from a high a few years ago of 242.
4. My five years of service on the Northern Illinois Synod Council will come to an end in
   June.  However, I have agreed to help lead an effort to raise aware- ness and funding for our ELCA’s Malaria Initiative, which hopes to raise an additional $15 million over the next few
   years to control its effect.  Malaria kills a child in Africa every 45 seconds, even though it is preventable.
5. Our Alpine Academy will be hiring a new principal soon.  My priority is that it be a person who will also connect well with our church. Good news awaits!
6. I must determine an accurate recording of membership in our congregation, since we report many more members than we actually have at present.

Thought for the week: “Many of life’s failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” ~ Charles Dudley Warner ~

Those Who Serve for Feb. 12^th

Ushers: (8:00) Rick Bried, Chuck Gentry, Irv Johnson, Dale Olson

(10:30) Dean Franks, John & Sharryn Franks, Marge Rakoczy

Ambassadors: (8:00) Matt & Debbie Hier, Volunteers

(10:30) Diana Sundeen, Taylor Boustead, Larry & Nancy Matthews

Elements: (8:00) Matt & Debbie Hier (10:30) Diana Sundeen, Taylor Boustead

Acolytes: (8:00) Brianna Geeser (10:30) Brett Williams

Lectors: (8:00) Lynn Valentine (10:30) Collin Gillette

Lay Assistants: (8:00) Chuck & Lynn Valentine (10:30) Holly & Renee Stohle

Altar Guild: Michele Scott, Laurel McVinnie

Praise Singers: Jaime Gillette, Bob McVinnie

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