Inviting, Embracing, and Equipping for the sake of hrist. · material. We are grateful for opportunities to care for God’s creation. Finances—In February, 2015, we passed a budget

Inviting, Embracing, and Equipping

for the sake of Christ.

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church

2

Our Leadership Mission Statement:

“Called and compelled by our hope in Jesus Christ, we empower our community

to care, learn, teach, lead, and serve.”

At Our Saviour’s, our fiscal year runs from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016. This report gives a snapshot of actual con-gregational expenses. The chart above has been divided into ministry areas to help us see how the generosity of this con-gregation and our ministry partners is invested. Aside from the salaries supporting the pastoral leadership of the con-gregation, staff leadership has been interwoven into the various ministry areas. We recognize that investing in consistent leadership helps us excel in ministry and spiritual growth. Our staff see their work here as more than a job—it is a vocation. It is our spiritual worship, and we are grateful for the oppor-tunity to serve God and one another in such a place as Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Check out what you have done this year as the Body of Christ! Thank you for your generosity and faithfulness.

$83,228

$81,020

$13,836 $78,050

$63,073

$82,959

$113,917

Administrative

Congregational Care

Faith Formation

Mission Giving

Outreach Ministry

Pastoral Salary

Stewardship

OSLC 2015-2016 Operating Expenses (Actual)

$518,083

-

20,000.00

40,000.00

60,000.00

80,000.00

100,000.00

120,000.00

2015-2016 Expenses vs. 2016-2017 Budget

2015-2016 Actual

2016-2017 Budget

Please note: We did not have a Director of Discipleship un-til January, 2016—explaining the small amount spent on Faith Formation during the fiscal year. As you look through this pub-lication, an explanation on terms: Leadership—staffing respon-sible for the area of ministry. Administrative—supplies, fees, training, and support. Materials, Curriculum, Minis-try—expenses for direct use in the ministry area.

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Worship—This is the most visible element of our ministry to-gether. Over 3 services, we enjoy an average attendance of about 300 people each weekend. In 2015, we experimented with a summer worship schedule change—combining our two morning services into one. Overall, we consider the experiment a success. Not only do we have the pleasure of a comfortably full service on Sunday morning, as well as Saturday night, we also have the opportunity to share company with those we may rarely see during the year.

Lent & Easter, 2015—Weekend worship focused on the marks of discipleship (prayer, worship, giving, fellowship, service, and study). Members of the congregation shared how and why they participate. What great acts of courage! Midweek services brought in presentations from various serving arms of the Ne-braska Synod.. At Easter Vigil, we welcomed 7 new members to the congregation.

Advent & Christmas, 2015—We moved from having the High School Youth serve midweek meals to a community potluck fol-lowed by the Holden Evening Prayer in the Chapel. Conversa-tion, fellowship, community, and worship kept us warm and cozy. This was also our second year to share the 5:00 Family Christmas Eve service with St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.

Music Ministries—Between Sanctuary Choir, Set Free Ensem-ble, BELLS of OSLC, Youth Handbells, Goodhue Brass, and a vari-ety of other music ensembles, it is clear that OSLC loves music.

Willa Foster Jones conducts the various groups with the help of our assistant music leaders and leads most of our worship ser-vices. In May, 2016, Yun-Hsin Tseng, our accompanist for 2 years, returned to Taiwan. Her musical leadership and worship presence are greatly missed by many.

Pastoral Care—Pastoral Care is a ministry of presence. We have nearly 20 individuals and/or couples who visit the sick and home-bound as ambassadors of OSLC. Through our bereavement ministry, we meet with fami-lies, provide area grief resources, and follow up with cards and calls for as long as we are needed.

In this fiscal year, we have served 7 families through funeral and memorial services. In addition, Pastor Tobi is also often called up-on by local funeral homes to care for families without church homes. It is good to be able to care for our congregation and our com-munity—to be light in the darkness.

Celebrations—We LOVE baptisms at OSLC! In 2015-16, we rejoiced with 14 families cel-ebrating baptisms. We also prayed over and blessed 4 couples who joined in marriage. Thanks be to God!

In June, 2016, Jan Malone came on part-time to lead Saturday worship. In October, 2016, Shuo Xuan Kong is joining us as music minis-try Intern. Welcome to you both!

$44

$75,434

$5,541

Pastoral Care

Leadership

Worship Materials

$44

$75,434

$5,541

Pastoral Care

Leadership

Worship Materials

Baptism of Simon Thompson

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Local Elementary Schools—OSLC Partners with both Randolph and Holmes Elementary Schools. We have a nearly a dozen volunteers as men-tors and volunteers at Ran-dolph and have been providing school supplies and winter clothing to Holmes. We are now (fall, 2016) in the planning stag-es of a Family Literacy Pro-gram with Randolph and hope to share provide meeting and cooking space for the Randolph Parent Support Network.

Backpack Program—Through the Lincoln Food Bank, we continue support the backpack program for 52 Ran-dolph Elementary School families. This is an $11,000/yr commitment and is primarily supported through special gifts and fundraisers.

Alternative Giving—Through Fair Trade or ELCA Good Gifts, we encourage gift giving that grows the church, alleviates hunger and transforms lives. Fairly traded coffee, tea and chocolate are available throughout the year. In 2015, St. Monica’s Women’s Treatment Center and Angel Tree were recipient’s of Christmas gifts pur-chased by members.

Good Samaritan Fund—This is a ministry facilitated through special gifts. Good Sam aids those in our com-munity who need a “hand up.” It may be a gas voucher to get to work or school, or assistance to keep a house-hold from being without utilities.

Mission Trips—In July 2015, 7 ‘youthful’ adults worked alongside the Youthworks Community in Rapid City, SD, ministering to the Native American popula-tion. We served at a domestic violence shelter, a drop-in day shelter, and the local food bank. The highlight of the week was serving over 300 people at a BBQ in a local church parking lot.

Chat N Sew—Quilters sent 42 handmade quilts Lu-theran World Relief in November 2015. Another 10 were given to the newly formed Disaster Preparedness Team, and graduating Seniors also received quilts crafted with the help of their parents.

FEAST (Friends Eating And Singing, Studying and Serving Together) is in its 12th year of partnership with men and women who are incarcerated, or have been recently released. Each week we bring

30 – 35 inmates from Commu-nity Corrections Center – Lin-coln to worship at our late ser-vice. Sponsors assist reentrants with individual needs and facili-tate several small groups, walk-ing with them on their faith journey. This ministry is de-pendent upon faithful sponsors, financial contributions, and vol-unteers who provide weekly meals—a total investment of over 100 hours weekly! Through FEAST, we connect with area agencies to provide a

welcoming community for those reentering and to promote the safety of our community, as well.

Tanzania Companion Parish—With help from the OSL Foundation, we contributed $4350 to the Kimangaro Parish to be used for Tuition and School Fees for children in the Parish as well as a Parish gift to be used as the elders decide. In Jan-uary/February 2016, three OSL members, Cindy & Dan Rudolph and Mary Barton participated in the Nebraska Synod Tanzania Vision Trip, visiting Kimangaro Parish as a part of that.

Vision for the future—We partner with various community agencies (i.e., AA, Mental Health As-sociation, Foster Care Review Board, etc.) We in-tend that future collaboration will give us further opportunity to serve more people both locally and globally.

We’re so grateful for Jan Riedman’s compassion-ate and consistent leadership in these ministries!

$988

$53,493

$8,592

Administrative

Leadership

Ministry

$988

$53,493

$8,592

Administrative

Leadership

Ministry

Mission Trip, July, 2015

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Sunday School—In 2015-16, we enjoyed learning alongside 46 Sunday School students. (2016-17 has 59 registered students.) Teachers gather regularly

to support one anoth-er, share tips, discuss new ideas, and stay informed in order to best minister to our children and youth. Our vision for the fu-ture is to find ways to have our youth more involved and interac-tive within our con-gregation. Class-rooms are being spruced up and made

more inviting by our Property Team and FEAST Partners.

VBS—Vacation Bible School is an enriching experi-ence for kids and leaders. In July, 2016, we experi-enced Joseph’s journey in Egypt from prison to pal-ace. The past two years, we have pooled resources with other community churches, sharing and using each other’s decorations. Our vision for the future is to develop teams (scenery, crafts, snacks, regis-tration, etc.) early in order to maximize volunteer gifts as well as volunteer time.

Sounds Like Love—In November, 2015, we spon-sored 7 students to this treasured event. Sadly, in-terest in the event has significantly decreased (only 2 interested in 2016). We have chosen to support this event only if there are 10 students committed to attending in the future.

Faith Stepping Stones—This is a program that en-courages and educates the whole family as a child grows—beginning with a Baptism Class, orientation to Sunday School, and continuing with the New Bi-ble Class, First Communion, Catechism Orientation, Affirmation of Baptism, and High School Gradua-tion. Each stepping stone culminates in gifts and blessings by the congregation. We are still looking for ways to further engage parents of pre-Sunday School children in valuable and affirming time to-gether. Suggestions are welcome!

Christmas Program—Thanks to Theresa Reinhard, Rachel Van Dyke, and Lacey Remmenga, the Christ-mas Program of 2015 was a traditional telling of the story of Jesus’ birth, filled with animals, hymns, and carols.

Update: In January, 2016, we welcomed Karrie Lickli-ter to the team! Karrie is Director of Discipleship, stew-arding faith formation and small group ministry for all ages. You will notice that for the 2015-16 fiscal year, we spent a minimal amount of the budget. This is due to the fact that we operated for 1.5 years without staff in this area. Welcome Karrie! We’re glad to have you on board!

Yesterday’s Youth—Senior Citizens with active and in-quiring minds meet monthly for fellowship and learn-ing. Meetings are typically a potluck lunch followed by a speaker or a field trip. Speakers bring a mix of enter-tainment and information. Next year’s goal is to build relationships between our seniors and our Sunday School Students (i.e., Pen Pals and/or Prayer Partners).

Education Hour—We continue to offer a large variety of conversations, including justice and outreach con-cerns, Bible studies, social statements and agency presentations.

$198

$8,389

$5,248 Administrative

Leadership

Curriculum

$198

$8,389

$5,248 Administrative

Leadership

Curriculum

Kent Reinhard & Sunday School Classes—on Faith and Science

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Recycling—We DO recycle! Though more profession-ally-looking receptacles are on the way, the large totes found by the main and side entrances and be-side the elevator can now be used for ALL recyclable material. We are grateful for opportunities to care for God’s creation.

Finances—In February, 2015, we passed a budget of $549,243 and spent $516,083. Income for the year was $508,582—a deficit of over $7000. We have tried to be wise in our spending, but we need to im-prove in our giving. The building loan ended the fis-cal year (March 31, 2015) at $51,842.57, and we con-tinue to knock away at that regularly.

Special Gifts—We frequently lift up ministries be-yond our congregation. During Lent, we invited spe-cial gifts to support the various synodical ministries. In Advent, we always lift up the Good Samaritan Fund. In addition, Advent and Lent dinners always add support to various congregational ministries.

C St. House—We did sell this property (4101 C St.)! Our neighbor is a lovely lady. Be sure to wave and say hello when you see her.

Weekly Building Use—Our building is used for a vari-ety of groups, as well as occasional celebrations and receptions. You can expect a community organiza-tion to be meeting here nearly every day of the week. We’re so glad to be able to provide such a re-source!

Bus—The old white bus was finally replaced in 2016, thanks to generous donations and a matching gift from the Foundation. Most frequently, it transports our FEAST partners to and from worship. On occa-sion, it is available for other congregational events, as requested.

In January, 2016, we welcomed Jeff Hoadley as sex-ton and celebrated Bruce Ried-man’s retirement. Welcome to the team, Jeff!

Stewardship at OSLC is more than just money. It’s about how we care for everything we have—ourselves, our finances, our families, our buildings, and our community. Stewardship is an umbrella over all the ministries of OSLC. This year, we over-saw several things in our care.

Yard Maintenance—The parking lot lines have been repainted, and thanks to an unfortunate bit of arson behind the shed, we have had occasion to clear away additional brush and an unnecessary fence.

Basement Flooding—We finally had enough after the 7” rain in May, 2015. After consulting with vari-ous professionals, we employed David Spohr and his crew to address the concerns. They found signifi-cant problems in several areas of the new building, including inadequate and misdirected drainage pipes, large gaps between old and new build, faulty drain tile, and holes in the concrete walls. After much digging and $40,000 (from the proceeds of the C St. House sale), our basement is dry for the first time in almost 15 years! It’s now time to do the renovating.

Basement Renovations (2016)—Thanks to our Property Team, we have begun the process of relo-cating the Chat N Sew and Newborns in Need sup-plies to the west end of the Fellowship Hall in antici-pation for an eventual expansion of the Kitchen. The west end classrooms and storage rooms have been repainted, and the team is preparing to repaint and spruce up the BAC. In addition, the team is investi-gating an additional shed to store the smoker and grills, among other things. Finally, the smoke detec-tors in the Sanctuary are due to be replaced. It will be costly due to the need for special equipment to reach them. But we’re ready to move on!

$0

$34,898

$79,019

Administrative

Leadership

Property

$0

$34,898

$79,019

Administrative

Leadership

Property

New Landscaping following Flood Remediation

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The Pastor’s duties include: Planning & leading worship with the help of the

worship planning team. Providing pastoral care with the help of the pas-

toral care team. Teaching—primarily Catechism and Faith Step-

ping Stones. Coaching and guidance over individual staff and

staff as a team. Planning and presiding over all funerals, wed-

dings, and baptisms. Visioning for the future of OSLC with the help of

the Council. Overseeing staff changes with the help of the per-

sonnel team. Maintaining fiscal responsibility with the help of

the Treasurer. Inspiring faithful living and giving with the help of

the Stewardship team. Updates: I thank God and OSLC for the opportunity to go on Sabbatical this past Spring. It created much-needed space for perspective and emotional and spir-itual health. I am also grateful for Jim Germer who led OSLC while I was gone. Those these things hap-pened in the 2016-17 fiscal year, preparation for them was a big part of our lives the previous year. Thank you for your amazing support!

Administrative costs include salaries and sup-plies that keep the daily activities of the con-gregation going. We are grateful for our Office Manager, Laura Pester, and our Communica-tions Specialist, Nicolette Ware.

Website—We try to make sure our website is user-friendly and up-to-date. We are always open to suggestions!

www.osllincoln.org

Tidings Newsletter—We want to continue moving in the direction of sending this out electronically. If you do not currently get the newsletter, please sign up on our website. If your e-mail has changed, please let us know: [email protected].

Mobile App—We have added the use of a mo-bile app. Here, you can check in to worship, give with the push of a button, read the Bible and the sermons, view the calendar, follow our social media pages, and link to a weekly devo-tional. Search for ‘oslc Lincoln’ to download or use your QR code reader.

$71,289

$11,445

$225

Pastor

Visitation Pastor

Pulpit Supply

$71,289

$11,445

$225

Pastor

Visitation Pastor

Pulpit Supply

Pastor’s Salary

$59,601

$23,627

Leadership

Supplies & Services

$59,601

$23,627

Leadership

Supplies & Services

Administrative Costs

It is our duty and joy to give to mission beyond Our Saviour’s. As an example to others, we designate 10% of our budget to the Nebraska Synod. From there, only 5% is used for synod administrative expenses so that the rest can go directly to local and global ministry. (Please see more detailed information in the synod’s an-nual report, attached/enclosed.)

We support individual ministries of the synod and ELCA because we recognize how much their success im-pacts our work. We are Church together! Bridges to Hope is a warehouse from which those currently or re-cently incarcerated can request household and personal items to help start fresh and be successful at work. The Lutheran Center ministers to the students and staff of UNL, sharing God’s grace through worship and

service right here in our communi-ty.

Lincoln Area Mission Cluster is a collaboration of area Lutheran Churches. From the Lutheran Food Pantry to community presenta-tions and leadership development, we all benefit greatly from our work together.

Please make sure you read more about Randolph Elementary and Tanzania Companion Parish on the Outreach Ministry page.

This is what it means to be Church—all this and SO much more!

$20,000

$2,050

$54,000

$250$250 $1,500

Bridges to Hope Support

Lincoln Area Mission Cluster

Nebraska Synod

Randolph School

Tanzania Companion Parish

The Lutheran Center

Mission Giving