2013: A Year In ReviewIn the first month of 2014, each of us should have a clear picture of how God is preparing to bless us. At St. Paul’s Lu-theran Church, we ask you as members of our church family to make a faith commitment to express your desired support for our Savior’s work. We do this for two reasons:

-It shows our obedience to God’s Word in coming to a decision.

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

-It allows your leaders to plan further and adjust expendi- tures in accord with the commitment level of God’s people.

“All things should be done decently and in order.”

Certainly we were blessed by the generosity of this church family once again in the past year, and the people of St. Paul’s have shown their belief and dedication to this ministry through generous giving. God asks us to give ten percent as our tithe to the church. And while we receive these tithes from our members, we have also seen so many “gifts from the heart” with offerings to special ministries and projects, community and world missions, Finishing Touches fund, and the Building Fund during 2013. Continue to pray and find your moment where what you are able to commit to and what you are able to offer becomes clear to you.

Please designate your 2014 tithe and any additional offerings on the Commitment Card you receive. Once completed, we welcome its return at the designated time during worship or to the church office.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church1 Bachrach Court | Decatur, IL 62526

www.spldecatur.org

Pastor Youth Ministry Counseling & Family MinistryWray Offermann Tim Spinner Sonya Jensenpastorwray@spldecatur tim@spldecatur.org sonya@spldecatur.org

Office Staff Community Life Communications Jan Allen Gloria Greene Andrea Gerhardjan@spldecatur.org gloria@spldecatur.org andrea@spldecatur.orgMickey Johnson mickey@spldecatur.org Worship & Music EldersRoy Luecke Heidi Sack Greg Florian (Chair) Jason Delongroy@spldecatur.org heidi@spldecatur.org Kevin Highley (Chair Elect) Rod Moran Linda Ippel Mike Blumhorst David MinickCare Ministry linda@spldecatur.org Steve ZarndtBeth Simminger Steve Widenhofer beth@spldecatur.org swidenhofer@mail.millikin.edu

Children’s Ministry & ELC Technical Direction Sarah Koch Clay Gerhardsarah@spldecatur.org cgerhard@live.com

Faithful in Service

Ministry Staff & Leadership

Faithful in Support

Faithful in Little, Faithful in Much.This simple title grows out of the teaching of Jesus in Luke 16:10:

“Whoever can be trusted with very little, can also be trusted with much, and whoever has been dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”The attitude of the heart is revealed as much in little things as in big things. God expects faith-fulness in every area of life, and it begins with our being faithful in the small things first. Inside you will find reflections upon God’s faithfulness to the people of St. Paul’s in 2013 and the rea-sons we are so excited and full of faith as we look ahead to what God will bring about among us in 2014. We have and continue to witness amazing things that God has done. During 2013 we experienced growth in our St. Paul’s family of 115 new members; the relocation of our Early Learning Center to 1 Bachrach Ct.; the conclusion of a successful Capital Campaign total-ing $2,829,538.20; the offer and contract for sale of our Wood Street properties; Current Fund giving up 10%; increase in worship attendance of 3%; and staff changes, including the additionof Sonya Jensen, Director of Counseling and Family Ministry. Members of our church family have also experienced the personal victories of children born, successful surgeries, jobs located,and much more. Most importantly is the blessing of all our sins forgiven through Christ’s shed blood and the joy of our salvation in Jesus. God has truly blessed the faithfulness of His people.Should we be surprised? Look how faithful God has been as we look back over 150 years of blessings during our anniversary year at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. God honored the faithful-ness of His people, even though they had very inauspicious beginnings. In June of 1864, eight original signers affixed their signatures to the constitution of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, in a building smaller than many of our garages (28’ X 30’), constructed on a small lot bought for $400. Through times of plenty and want, through times of war and peace, through times of growth and stagnation, through times of prosperity and hardship, God sustained His people. His Word has proven faithful and His promises are sure. Because these early believers dared to put their trust in God in their humble beginnings, He poured out more blessings and has brought this church family to where we are today – a people numbering over 2000, with an amazing potential to grow, and a bright future before us.God will continue to be faithful if we trust Him. God’s promise in Romans 8:32 rings in our ears:“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” The ever present challenge before us is to be an ever more faithful people. It begins with little things: Faithfulness in daily prayer Faithfulness in a Christ-like loving attitude Faithfulness in worship every week Faithfulness in forgiving one another Faithfulness in telling our children about Jesus Faithfulness in our tithesAs we are faithful in simple little things, God will entrust more and bigger things to us, giving opportunities to: Faithfully teach more new believers Faithfully seek new pastors and leaders Faithfully develop our property more completely Faithfully support an expanding ministry financially Faithfully participate in His worldwide mission Faithfully proclaim His Truth before a confused worldWith deep gratitude and confident faith we press on believing that He who has been Faithful In Little will be made Faithful in Much.In His Service,

Pastor Wray Offermann

LOOKING AHEAD: GOALS FOR 2014As we go forth in the new year, we have several goals that we hope to accomplish. With God’s help, diligent prayer, and the dedicated service of our staff, elders, and membership, we are confident that all of these are within our reach and can be brought to completion.

- We will celebrate 150 years of ministry with great praise to God, including special guests, retelling the story of our history throughout the year, and hosting an Anni- versary Celebration weekend with a dinner, family festival and outdoor concert, and unified worship service.

- We pray for and will work for our challenge goal of 15% growth in all ministry areas, including worship attendance and giving, over the course of 2014. In this we continue to hope that more lives in this community would be drawn to a relationship with God.

- We will continue to develop clear plans for the SPL Early Learning Center space and its build out within our current facility.

- We will pray for and work toward continued enrollment stability and 15% growth for the SPL Early Learning Center.

- We will continue to work to raise up new leaders for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, including a Senior Pastor and an Associate Pastor (with Youth emphasis). We pray that God will bring forth the individuals that will bless our staff and congregation with strong pastoral leadership.

- We will refine our Master Plan, which would include a new look for the south face of our facility (with a covered drop-off area and entrance, tower and cross, additional parking, further landscape development, event pavilion, and additional light- ing and signage.

- We will install the fountain in the pond and restore it to working order.

- We will pray for and work toward an increase of twenty students in our Lutheran School Association (LSA) enrollment, espe- cially at the elementary level.

- We pray for a great spirit of joy and harmony in our family of faith as we go forward.

We Praise God for His faithfulness......in answering our prayers for new owners for our Wood Street facility.

...in health and strength for staff, leaders, and our whole SPL family to serve boldly.

...in providing the technology and re-sources to make the live streaming of the 10:30am worship service possible (begin-ning Easter Sunday 2013).

...in meeting our needs to allow for a suc-cessful, though hurried, move of our SPL Early Learning Center from Wood Street to our current facility.

...for so many faithful SPL Early Learning Center families who moved with us and for the new families who have joined the ELC.

...in the completion of the walkway and patio, and addition of the fountain at the South entrance (through many generous donations of time and financial resources).

...in the completion of the new playground space for the SPL Early Learning Center on the North side of the building.

...in the growth of our St. Paul’s family, welcoming 115 new members in 2013.

...in the continued celebration of baptisms at SPL, with 41 youth and 7 adults baptized in 2013 (including the oldest person ever baptized at SPL, at the age of 93).

...in the safe travel and blessing of the 2013 National Youth Gathering (San Anto-nio, TX) for 14 of our SPL Youth, under the leadership of Tim Spinner.

...in sustaining, blessing, and growing our ministry, to include additional staff (Sonya Jensen, Director of Counseling and Family Ministry) and programs like the new SPL Children’s Chorus and SPL Wind Ensemble, record participation in Advent by Candle-light (well over 300 women), and for 142 K-8 and 67 High School students at LSA.

...in continuing to provide for and bless the resources of this ministry, with the first ever positive balance in our current fund almost through the entire year of 2013.

...in the safe travel and work of the 2013 Guatemala Mission Trip team, with 9 faith-ful servants participating.

...in partnerships (with ADM & Tabernacle Baptist Church) for world impact, packing in excess of 209,000 meals at the Feed My Starving Children MobilePack Event.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Fresh Ministry

MUSIC & WORSHIPAt St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2013 was an amazing year in worship! Under the leadership of Heidi Sack, Director of Worship and Music, we began two new music ministries: the St. Paul’s Wind Ensemble and the St. Paul’s Children’s Choir. Over the past year, the Wind Ensemble has blessed the traditional worship service each month, has played in our 10:30am contemporary service in December, and the group also add-ed its musical gifts to our Christmas Eve worship. We look forward to participation by additional musicians in the coming year, and continued growth of this ensemble. We aim to bless the various monthly services, in addition to our Easter Celebration in April of 2014 and our 150th Anniversary Celebration service in June of 2014. Additionally, the SPL Children’s Chorus has regularly sung at our 10:30am worship services since its formation. We plan to branch out in the coming year to include appearances in all of our worship services. This talented and small, yet mighty group of K-5th grade singers shares their hearts for Jesus in a powerful way as they minister to our congregation in song. Our established ensembles also continue to flourish. While we have had many long time participants on our Praise Team, we have wel-comed several new musicians and vocalists over the past year. We also had an opportunity to have a special workshop for this group early in the year with Mark and Brynn Gersmehl, former Christian artists and songwriting team of musicians currently known as Soulbreather. The Praise Team was able to learn about many different facets of the worship and praise team experience and how to apply it here at St. Paul’s. The SPL Handbell Choir, which has recently received a generous year-end donation of funds for the purchase of 5 new handbells and case, continues to bless our congregation under the direction of Andrea Gerhard. Our adult choir, under the direction of Linda Ippel, our faithful staff musician, continues to sustain and bless the traditional worship service regularly. Also in 2013, through upgrades and additions of new technologies, we were able to bless the worship experience inside and outside of the sanctuary even more. We upgraded to a new and cutting edge worship software, and also replaced the associated sanctuary computer through a generous donation, to be able to run this software efficiently. Our technical director, Clay Gerhard, along with support of the Board of Elders, worked to bring a new facet to our worship ministry – weekly live streaming of our 10:30am worship service on the web. This technology also allows for our services to be archived, so if you missed a sermon or would just like to hear it again, you can go to our webpage at any time to watch Pastor Wray preach God’s Word and lead St. Paul’s in spirit and in truth. As we go forth in 2014, we remain focused on lifting up Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior throughout this 150th year of worship and minis-try at St. Paul’s. We look forward to celebrating the blessings we have already experienced and also to new ones through the remainder of our “Forever Family” year in worship, and other upcoming worship events that will help all of us continue to “Build the Home, Change the World.”

CARE MINISTRYIn the area of Care Ministry, we touched lives in a variety of ways in 2013 under the direction of Beth Simminger. In preparation for mar-riage, three couples participated in the Premarital Mentoring Program. During Fall F3 2013, we offered the “Marriage on the Rock” (Jimmy Evans) course, communicating ways for men and women to strengthen their marriages and understand the importance of the presence of God in the marital relationship to over, impacting the couples who participated. In our ministry to those who are “shut-in” or unable to at-tend regular worship, we had seven Deacons minister to forty-four individuals. Our “Ministry to Mature” program remains strong in involve-ment, with 13 consistent members meeting regularly on the second and fourth Wednesdays each month. They are faithful in their study of God’s Word and have valued being ministered to by Pastor Wray Offermann during their meetings. We continue to participate in the Stephen Ministry program, though we have experienced fluctuation in participation over the past year. Looking ahead, we are committed to train four new Stephen Ministers in 2014, and hope to continue to reach out to those who benefit from the special care given through this ministry. Though some changes were made to the structure of the Care Ministry area in November of 2013, going forward we are focused on continued strength and growth in the programs that remain under the Care Ministry umbrella. We aim to have continued participation by Senior Adults in study groups, and to train other deacons to assist with shut-in and hospital ministry. Overall, we want to be sure to show care and connect members and others with ways to strengthen their relationships with Christ personally, remaining faithful.

Reflecting...Moving forward

Fresh Grace...Fresh Faith

Faithful in Giving

Budget Breakdown for 2014

Missions - Local (LSA)$734,200

Worship, Music & Arts$23,195

TOTAL BUDGET FOR 2014: $2,251,685

Financial Support current fund (2013)

amount given* $1,969,861.84

amount spent ($1,840,669.88)

final balance $129,191.96

*Current Fund giving in 2013 was up 9.6% from 2012.

additional giving finishing touches (2013)

Year to Date Amount Given $147,133.00

Year to Date Still Owed ($247,000.00)

Capital Campaign SummaryThe Family Room Capital Campaign, our building fund, was a three year commit-ment by the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church family which was launched in May of 2010. During the Summer of 2010, pledges were received and totalled just over 3 million dollars. The first gifts were collected in August 2010.Remaining “Faithful to the Finish”, we officially closed this campaign on De-cember 31, 2013, having received gifts of $2,829,538.20. In light of the uncertainties in the economy during this period, we con-sider this an amazing blessing of God. This generosity has allowed us to pay ahead of schedule on our indebtedness. It made it possible for us to meet all our debt obli-gations without dipping in to our current funds, and it has launched us well on our way to fulfilling what was only a venture of faith three years ago. Our thanks to everyone who helped orga-nize and implement this campaign. Special thanks to Darren and Tiffany Reynolds, Scott and Cheryl Roney, Chuck and Chris Schuette (who served as the co-chairs of the campaign), and to all the rest of the campaign team. Thank you most of all to all of you in our church family who dared to trust God to bless a vision to change the world for Christ and who sacrificially gave your dollars to back up your faith. We praise God for every one of you.When the proceeds of the sale of the Wood Street property is applied to our indebtedness and the final proceeds of the campaign are added in, we will be very close to having our obligations below the 3 million dollar mark. For having invested over $6 million in the project just over two and a half years ago, this is remarkable. To God alone be all the glory!

in Ministry

Faithful...

Missions - World$55,000Leadership & Staff$864,847Age Appropriate Ministries$37,350

Tools for the Ministry/Facilities$281,425Communication & PR$30,800Capital Debt$224,868

PRAISE the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being PRAISE His holy name.

PRAISE the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.

Psalm 103:1-2

COMMUNITY LIFEOver the past year, the Community Life ministry area, under the direction of Gloria Greene, continued to connect people to God and to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church through a variety of events and opportunities. It has been a year of both spiritual growth and physical change for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. In 2013, we had over 400 members that regularly participated in either one of our 33 small groups or 2 community groups. We also had an average of 195 people attend our weekend Adult Education classes and mid-week F3 classes. We discipled members on a wide range of topics, including Books of the Bible, Christianity in the Age of Terrorism, The Bible DVD series, 33 The Series (volumes 1-3), American Heritage, studies by Beth Moore, and so much more. From January through December 2013, we welcomed 115 adults into membership at St. Paul’s through our Basics 1 & 2 classes. Additionally, we have had many opportunities to promote and showcase our St. Paul’s facility through events with various groups and organizations. These include the Gospel Elvis Concert (which benefited the Mary Bry-ant Home for the Blind), Author & Speaker Bill Federer (who spoke about the history of Islam and the United States), Men’s Ministry events including speakers David Weis and Coach Matt Nadelhoffer, the first Community Pancake Breakfast, Women’s Ministry events including the Mother-Daughter-Friend Tea and Advent by Candlelight, the YMCA Soccer Program (spring, summer and fall), Open House Weekends, and the many bridal and baby showers for members. We were also proud to partner with Tabernacle Baptist Church and ADM for the Feed My Starving Children Decatur MobilePack event in September, involving 1,000 volunteers in the packing of 209,952 Manna Pack meals that went to children in need around the world.The past year provided opportunities to address the physical health of our congregation as well. We accomplished this through regular Red Cross Blood Drives, monthly blood pressure checks and a flu shot clinic sponsored by our SPL Health Care Council, and the purchase of an AED machine for our church made possible through generous donations. In an effort to reignite our involvement in regular mission trips, St. Paul’s sent forth 9 members of the congregation on a mission trip to Guatemala in August 2013. The trip blessed and spiritually grew the members who participated in the trip. There is already a plan in place for another mission trip to Guatemala in 2014, which will take place July 5th-12th. Currently, there are already 14 members of the congregation planning to participate. We know God has so much more in store for this ministry of St. Paul’s in 2014, and He will continue to connect people to a loving relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. He will do this and more through the people of St.. Paul’s and through the Community Life ministry. We remember Luke 18:27, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

CHILDREN’S MINISTRYSHiNe Children’s Ministry, under the direction of Sarah Koch, has continued to experience great blessings during the past year. With dedicat-ed space for both the children’s education classrooms and the nursery through the majority of the year, children are able to learn, develop, and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and knowing God’s Word. In August of 2013, a new curriculum was introduced for children’s education time, 252 Basics (to learn more about 252 Basics, visit whatisorange.org/252Basics). In an effort to support this curriculum and provide another opportunity for parents to engage during Adult Education time on Sundays, the parent CUE (Connect-Understand-Encourage) Group began in September 2013 and maintains a core group of participants. Additionally, under the leadership of Cindy Storey, our nursery continues to provide care to children ages six weeks to three years during service times, education programs, and some special events. Even though we now share the space with the ELC infant class, children are still able to engage in an ample space with age appropriate toys, while receiving loving, Christian-centered care from regularly scheduled staff. ELC Staff and Nursery staff partner together to ensure that the needs of the staff and the children are being met in the times the spaces need to transition for use by each group. We have continued several core programs including the Family Valentine Celebration, Annual Easter Celebration & Egg Hunt (over 200 in attendance), Back to School Bash, and Trick or Trunk events (which nearly 700 people attended in 2013). Our “Kingdom Rock” VBS program in June also welcomed between 100-200 children.Looking ahead for 2014, the SHiNe Children’s Ministry will continue to strive to reach new children and families by continuing the main events, education times, VBS, and core programs of the ministry. In an effort to reach even more children and their families and keep them connected, we will begin the “Second Sunday - Family Fun Day” program in March 2014 where families will come together in the afternoon of the second Sunday of the month for family friendly fellowship activities (including bowling, roller skating, outdoor activities, etc.). SHiNe Children’s Ministry is always open to new suggestions, ideas, and volunteer help, and we look forward to serving more children in 2014!

YOUTH MINISTRYIn 2013, the Youth Ministry area experienced some great joys. Under the service of Tim Spinner, and with the help and support of dedicated youth parents, St. Paul’s sent forth 14 youth to the National Youth Gathering in San Antonio, Texas in July 2013. There the youth participated in worship, fellowship, learning, and service events and ultimately learned what it means to “Live Loved”. Also in 2013, under the teaching and organization by Chris Schuette, we saw one of the largest classes of youth, 28 in all, be Confirmed in the faith at the end of April 2013. A new curriculum (XP3) and new class options were also introduced in the youth area in 2013 for the weekly education times. Students also engaged in social and service activities, including the Junior High Youth Nights organized by dedicated youth parents.

While we have had many blessed conversations and interviews, and a recommendation for a call, our Associate Pastor (with Youth Emphasis) Call Committee continues to work diligently in their search for the right candidate. As we move ahead into 2014, they continue to gather and invest in research and conversation in finding the most qualified candidates with passion for ministering to youth to bless both the pastoral staff and the Youth Ministry area here at St. Paul’s, under the leadership of Mike Atwood, the committee chair. We will continue to pray for the Call Committee as they continue their work, and we know that God will bring forth the person who will bless this ministry in His service.

COUNSELING & FAMILY MINISTRYIn mid-November 2013, a new area of ministry was introduced to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The area of Counseling & Family Ministry, under the direction of Sonya Jensen, introduced the opportunity for professional counseling services within St. Paul’s. Through the end of the year, 15 individuals/children/couples are already utilizing the services, with the availability of 15 more spaces during the week as we enter 2014. The pre-marital program has been moved from the Care Ministry area to this ministry, with new couples now completing their requirements with Sonya. Additionally, the Family Ministry portion of this area is focused on preparing and rising up mentors to connect with children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and married couples through classes, small groups, one-on-one relationships, and couple relationships.

Continued from previous page...Beginning in 2014, weekly education classes centered on marriage enhancement and parenting will be offered. The new year also brings new opportunities to continue to establish and develop this ministry area, including additional training experiences for Sonya, new therapies, marriage experiences, conferences, and classes specifically designed to address the unique needs of single parents and blended families.

ST. PAUL’S EARLY LEARNING CENTERAs a well-established and thriving ministry of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the Early Learning Center serves up to one hundred and thirty chil-dren daily. A number of the ELC families are members of St. Paul’s, but the majority attend from the surrounding community. The highest priority and the greatest joy is giving these children a Christ-centered, loving environment where they learn about Jesus every day. In November of 2013, we were blessed with the contract for sale of our Wood St. building which prompted us to move our ELC to our current location. The move was fast and furious and also very successful. Almost all of our ELC families moved with us which shows how much they value the Christian, loving environment their children are a part of at our center. The ELC was honored in 2013 by being awarded a “Star Rating” through the state of Illinois. This system ranks a daycare based on quality. We were awarded a rating of two stars, which provides even more credibility for our daycare and its minis¬try, as very few other daycare facilities in Decatur have any stars through this program. Our leadership team and teachers continue to find great joy in what we do, bringing the love of Jesus to children. We have enjoyed being in the same location as the church once again and appreciate the sacrifice of space the church has made for our ministry to continue to thrive. We know that being together will help us to maintain and strengthen the ELC’s connection to the church and also with the Lutheran School Association (LSA).In 2014, we know that God has big things in store for our ELC. The ELC leadership team (Sarah Koch, Kim Newingham, and Jamie Stanzione) will work with the building committee to put together plans for building our future daycare space. We hope to connect our unchurched ELC families to St. Paul’s and pray that the Holy Spirit leads them to become more of a part of our ministry. Above all else, in 2014 we look forward to being Christ’s love on earth to His precious children. We value our role in these children’s lives, and look forward to helping them experience Christ’s love.

LUTHERAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (LSA)At St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, one of our most cherished blessings is our partnership with the Lutheran School Association (LSA). We know that the LSA not only touches the lives of many of our member families, but also continues to bless the lives of other children and youth in the community through the K-8 and High School programs. St. Paul’s continues to be a vibrant part of the LSA family with 142 SPL students enrolled in K-8 classes and 67 SPL students enrolled in High School at the LSA. We continue to view the school as an extension of our overall ministry and invest significantly in the LSA. In support of our families and our 142 children at the elementary level we send $730,000 of support to the LSA. Additionally every St. Paul’s LSA High School student receives a $1000 tuition credit. We continue to believe ministry of our SPL Early Learning Center for children ages 0-5 combined with the Lutheran School (LSA) enables us to support families desiring to raise Godly children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord like few other congregations in this community. Through investing in these ministries, we progress in fulfilling our vision to Build the Home, Change the World.

Faithful Connections Official acts in 2013 baptism 41 Youth, 7 Adults Cleansed by the Waters of Baptism

confirmation 28 Youth Confirmed in the Faith

marriage 4 Couples Joined in Holy Matrimony

funeral 18 Celebrations of Life

Ministry Connections in 2013 worship 822 Individuals Worshiped at SPL Each Weekend (Average)

new members 115 Individuals Became Members at SPL

early learning 139 Children Received Christ-Centered Care center (elc) (Children Aged 6 weeks - 12 years)

lutheran school 142 St. Paul’s Members Enrolled in Grade K-8 association (lsa) 67 St. Paul’s Members Enrolled in Grade 9-12 Received a Christ-Centered Education