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"2017 Year in Review & 2018 Proposed Budget"
Dear Members & Friends of Our Savior's Lutheran Church,
As we start a new fiscal year, it makes sense to review the past year and look forward to the new year. As Treasurer, it is my duty to monitor the budget, giving and expenses and to recommend any changes as the year progresses to ensure that we maintain our financial stability. I am pleased to report that we have ended 2017 with more giving than expenses.
2017 Budget
The 2017 budget plan was to maintain the program areas at Year end 2016 budget levels and reduce costs where we could without impacting the mission of the church. The 2017 budget was planned and congregation approved with a 1.4 percent decrease in estimated expenses and giving. The budget maintained the Youth & Family, Children & Family, and Worship programs at the 2016 expense level (no reductions).
We do not yet have final budget numbers (due by this Friday). But, initial reporting shows that our Giving was lower than the budget in a range from 4% to 5%. But, our Expenses were lower than Giving showing us a positive result for 2017.
2018 Budget
The 2018 proposed budget plan is to meet the needs of the congregation, while investing in new areas that will help Our Savior's be more effective and meaningful in the mission of the Church. The Board is seeking to invest in areas that will help educate through Adult Forums, care for people who are hurting through Stephens ministry, and grow the church by investing in Evangelism. Finally, our budget is prioritizing a comprehensive strategic planning effort that will set a vision and course toward congregation renewal and transformation.
The 2018 proposed budget was prepared using the 2018 stewardship pledge cards and initial financial results from 2017. The initial budget goal for 2018 was set at a decrease of 4% in the budget compared to 2017.
The 2018 budget proposal has no decreases in Youth & Family, Children & Family or Worship areas. Business administration is decreased in a couple of areas, but there is an increase in money as we review the CAT survey taken last fall and spend some money with consultants to help us interpret the survey and come up with plans to deal with the issues that were presented. Mission and Outreach will increase from 9% in 2017 to 10% in 2018.
The 2018 Budget also invests in new areas/programs.
We are investing in Stephen Ministry which is a one-to-one lay caring ministry to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. This is one major item from the CAT survey this fall that was identified as a need. Help people who are hurting.
The Budget also invests significant new funds in Adult Education. Evangelism gets funding for the first time in 2018 for making Our Savior's better known in the community. We have also reaffirmed our investment in the Parish Nurse program for 2018.
The 2018 budget seeks to maintain the programs we have, invest in new programs to strengthen our church, and investing money/time in determining additional steps to make Our Savior's more meaningful and effective in the mission of the church.
Details of the 2018 budget will be available at the January 14th financial review.
Peace,
Joel Frost
Treasurer
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WORSHIP & FAITH FORMATION SCHEDULE
All Worship Wednesday, January 10, 2018
5:00 pm Dinner
Menu: Spaghetti & Garlic Bread
5:30 pm Worship
6:10 pm Youth Group
7:00 pm Confirmation (Youth & Parents!)
7:00 pm Kingdom Choir
8:00 pm Good News! & Instruments
(Rehearsal for Jan. 14 services)
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Service of Prayer and Preaching
8:00 & 10:30 am Worship in the Sanctuary
This Sunday's Worship (January 14, 8:00 & 10:30 am in the Sanctuary) will be a Service of Prayer and Preaching developed by Pastor Keith Lentz and led by Good News! and the St. Croix Jazz Trio with Aaron Harrell on drums. The day's songs will be from the hymnal "This Far By Faith" which celebrates the abundant gifts of African American worship and song.
9:15 am Adult Education in the Sanctuary
11:45 am Evolve Youth Group (Grades 7-9)
5:00 pm Activate Youth Group (Grades 10-12)
Click HERE to sign-up and volunteer
during a Sunday Worship Service!
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Children, Youth & Family Ministry
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Sunday Faith Formation: No Faith Formation on Sunday, January 14. We will resume our schedule on January 21!
Wednesday Faith Formation: All Worship Wednesday this week, January 10. No Faith Formation on Wednesday, January 17. We will resume our schedule on January 24.
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2018 Mission Trip Informational Meeting on Jan 9th at 7 pm
We are excited to announce that our 2018 Summer Mission Trip will be held in Lexington County, South Carolina! All students who are currently in 9th-12th grades are invited to attend. There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, Jan 9th at 7 pm in the youth room to go over the details of the trip. This meeting is to give students and parents the information needed to make an educated decision for participation. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email
Chad or call him 425-281-8315. Get pumped!
Confirmation Parent and Student Night on Jan 10th at 7 pm
Hello Confirmation Parents & Students! -- Just a reminder that our annual Confirmation Parent night is this week! Parents and students are invited to attend! We are excited to welcome Robin Sobczak as our speaker for the evening! Robin is a long-time member of OSLC and will be sharing on the accounts that unfolded on August 28, 2012, when two of her children were involved in a car accident with a drunk driver. She will speak about how this event has impacted not only their lives as a family, but the waterfall effect of how it has affected the drunk driver's family as well. She will speak of the affirmation of strong faith in this situation and how it also helps in the healing process. Snacks and beverages will be served. We can't wait to see you then! If you have any questions, please feel free to email
Chad or call 425-281-8315.
Calling all 10th-12th Grade students and Adults!
We are excited to announce that we will be competing in a hockey game vs. Watermark Church as a part of the 3rd Annual Sticks in Stillwater Festival on Friday, January 12. This will be a great opportunity for OSLC to participate in a community event benefiting the Herb Brooks Foundation and Josh Gunderson Memorial. If you are interested in playing, please sign-up on the youth board outside the youth room or email
Chad to let him know you are in. This is a wonderful opportunity for Our Savior's to be present in our community!
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The youth bell choir is starting up again and will be practicing on Sunday's at 1 pm in the music room beginning January 14. Anyone in grades 6-9 who is interested, please come and try it. It's a new year, let's try new things.
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Tubing and Tailgating for All Ages!
Whether you enjoy tubing or just hanging out with good friends, this is the event for you! We will meet in the Green Acres parking lot at 6 pm on February 9 to eat some brats, hot dogs and sip some warm hot chocolate! If you want to tube, you can do that too! Sign-up in the Gathering Area!
If tubing, cost is $13/person if paid in advance
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Otherwise, it is $15.
Register by Sunday, February 4.
Waivers and checks can be turned in at the drop box on the welcome desk. Please contact Chad or Darla if you would like to donate any items for this event (chips, hot cocoa, or desserts) or, if you can bring a propane heater. Make sure to bring a lawn chair if you would like to sit and hangout!
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2017 Year End Results, 2018 Preliminary Budget Meeting & Annual Meeting
Adult Education: On Sunday January 14th at 9:15 am, Joel Frost, Congregation Treasurer, will be giving a presentation on the 2017 Year End Results, the proposed 2018 Budget and an update on Ecumen. This presentation will be in the Sanctuary. Detailed information on 2017 Giving, Budget and Expenses will be explained. The 2018 proposed budget will be presented with the Board thinking on 2018 Giving, 2018 Expenses and where we are making Investments in new programs. The Ecumen update will give a new status on the sale of excess land to Ecumen. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. This presentation will also be given on Wednesday night, January 17th, after worship in the Family Room.
Annual congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at 9:15 am in the sanctuary. There
will be a card making activity for kids so parents can attend the meeting instead of the family activity that day.
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Girls Night Out - COME PAINT WITH US!
The next Girls Night Out will be held on Friday,
January 19 from 6:30 - 9:00 pm with the theme:
COME PAINT WITH US! No Experience Necessary! Join Artist Sandy Danus from Cheerful Hearts Portable Paint Studio as she leads a simple & fun step-by-step group acrylic painting class. Everything provided: 12x12 canvas, all paints & brushes, easels & aprons. You can even choose your own colors to make your painting personal. Come away with your own finished masterpiece to hang or give as a gift!
Cost: $25/person; payable to OSLC by Wednesday, January 17th. Cash or checks written out to OSLC, with "women's painting class" written on the memo line will be accepted.
Please drop payment in the drop box at the Welcome Desk or in the church office.
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Quilter Donations Needed
The quilters are in need of donations of usable top sheets (flat sheet) of any size, color, pattern to be used at the "Day for Making Comfort" on January 27. Please drop off your donations to the church office. Questions? Please contact Audrey Reed.
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Request for Prayers and Support
Everyday joys and sorrows...Once in a lifetime joys and sorrows. Your brothers and sisters at Our Savior's want to support you. Email or call our
Pastor Dale Stiles or Parish Nurse,
Stacy Meyer, with any of your needs.
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Simply Giving
A more convenient way to give! In a few short minutes, you can make a one-time gift or set up a donation that will process automatically on a recurring basis. Recurring donations are convenient and provide our church with much needed consistent support throughout the year.
To give online, visit our church's website and get set up!
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Stewardship is about love:
serving others through our time, talent, and treasure.
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