We did it! We Bridged the Gap Together! - An Update on our matching gift goal! (12/2/2024)
Thanks to your incredible generosity, we've reached the first goal of our Bridge the Gap: Two Years of Renewed Mission and Ministry appeal – matching our anonymous donor's $30,000 gift!
Last Sunday, your matching gifts carried us over the bridge, completing this milestone only 15 months into the two-year appeal. This amazing achievement shows once again how our congregation rises to meet financial needs with faith and commitment.
Your support is helping move us closer to stepping out of redevelopment and into a future of renewed ministry. THANK YOU for your partnership in this mission! Together, we’re building bridges to hope and possibility.
Thanks to your incredible generosity, we've reached the first goal of our Bridge the Gap: Two Years of Renewed Mission and Ministry appeal – matching our anonymous donor's $30,000 gift!
Last Sunday, your matching gifts carried us over the bridge, completing this milestone only 15 months into the two-year appeal. This amazing achievement shows once again how our congregation rises to meet financial needs with faith and commitment.
Your support is helping move us closer to stepping out of redevelopment and into a future of renewed ministry. THANK YOU for your partnership in this mission! Together, we’re building bridges to hope and possibility.
Two Years of Renewed Mission and Ministry at St. Paul Lutheran!
Three and a half years ago St. Paul Lutheran was cautiously emerging from a difficult time of conflict and division within itself. Both membership and income had suffered greatly. After having just celebrated its 150th anniversary the congregation had to face its new found identity. The Synod joined us in this discovery process and took us on as on as a congregation "in redevelopment." Of course, the goal of a church in redevelopment is to become developed again and ultimately able to sustain its own mission and ministries.
We have been blessed to accompany this congregation on that journey thus far. We have accomplished much and have come a long way. Among our accomplishments we have, given "Above & Beyond" and paid off $40,000 of debt in less than a year, increased weekly worship attendance by 36%, reopened our preschool in partnership with a nationally accredited preschool and childcare provider (Lake Area Discovery Center), and began a weekly intergenerational faith formation opportunity on Wednesday nights called The Table.
With Synod and ELCA redevelopment funds and our large anonymous donation, we are well on our way out of redevelopment, but we are not there yet. This Bridge the Gap two-year journey towards renewed mission and ministry will get us where we need to be. Throughout our two-year appeal, every three months a specific Sunday will be designated as "Bridge the Gap Sunday" and will focus on various gaps that churches in redevelopment need to cross, including "from apathy to mission", "from scarcity to abundance", "from fear to faith", "from holding on to letting go", "from involvement to engagement", and "from debt to dreams." Following worship on Rally Sunday, September 15, 2024 (our halfway point!) we will hold a Bridge the Gap Family 5K Walk/Run Event to celebrate our success to date!
We invite you to help Bridge the Gap at St. Paul Lutheran!
In the Grace of Christ,
Pastor Dale and Pastor Carrie
A Generous Gift!
In June of 2023, to assist us in our congregation's redevelopment, an anonymous donor contributed a gift of $30,000.
Upon reception of the gift, the donor asked that our congregation match the gift amount within two years. (Completed 12/1/2024) This Bridge the Gap Appeal is our effort in making that happen.
This generous gift has made it possible to fulfill our Vision for Shared Pastoral Ministry by calling Carrie Stiles as a part-time pastor at St. Paul Lutheran, which has been among our top goals towards redevelopment. These gifted funds, along with the matching funds that will be received, will assure stability of this position for the short term. A generous response to our Bridge the Gap appeal and a vigorous shared pastoral ministry will assure stability of this position for the long term.
Our Goals
Celebration Event!
On Saturday evening, September 6, 2025, upon meeting the goals of our Bridge the Gap appeal, a special celebration event including a meal, entertainment, and more, will be held. Save the date!
Three and a half years ago St. Paul Lutheran was cautiously emerging from a difficult time of conflict and division within itself. Both membership and income had suffered greatly. After having just celebrated its 150th anniversary the congregation had to face its new found identity. The Synod joined us in this discovery process and took us on as on as a congregation "in redevelopment." Of course, the goal of a church in redevelopment is to become developed again and ultimately able to sustain its own mission and ministries.
We have been blessed to accompany this congregation on that journey thus far. We have accomplished much and have come a long way. Among our accomplishments we have, given "Above & Beyond" and paid off $40,000 of debt in less than a year, increased weekly worship attendance by 36%, reopened our preschool in partnership with a nationally accredited preschool and childcare provider (Lake Area Discovery Center), and began a weekly intergenerational faith formation opportunity on Wednesday nights called The Table.
With Synod and ELCA redevelopment funds and our large anonymous donation, we are well on our way out of redevelopment, but we are not there yet. This Bridge the Gap two-year journey towards renewed mission and ministry will get us where we need to be. Throughout our two-year appeal, every three months a specific Sunday will be designated as "Bridge the Gap Sunday" and will focus on various gaps that churches in redevelopment need to cross, including "from apathy to mission", "from scarcity to abundance", "from fear to faith", "from holding on to letting go", "from involvement to engagement", and "from debt to dreams." Following worship on Rally Sunday, September 15, 2024 (our halfway point!) we will hold a Bridge the Gap Family 5K Walk/Run Event to celebrate our success to date!
We invite you to help Bridge the Gap at St. Paul Lutheran!
In the Grace of Christ,
Pastor Dale and Pastor Carrie
A Generous Gift!
In June of 2023, to assist us in our congregation's redevelopment, an anonymous donor contributed a gift of $30,000.
Upon reception of the gift, the donor asked that our congregation match the gift amount within two years. (Completed 12/1/2024) This Bridge the Gap Appeal is our effort in making that happen.
This generous gift has made it possible to fulfill our Vision for Shared Pastoral Ministry by calling Carrie Stiles as a part-time pastor at St. Paul Lutheran, which has been among our top goals towards redevelopment. These gifted funds, along with the matching funds that will be received, will assure stability of this position for the short term. A generous response to our Bridge the Gap appeal and a vigorous shared pastoral ministry will assure stability of this position for the long term.
Our Goals
- Increased Membership - We expect to see a 30% increase in church membership by September, 2025. That's an increase of 50 new members. With everyone's help, we can Bridge this Gap.
- Increased General Fund Offerings - From new and current membership, we expect to see an increase of 5% in our general fund offering by September, 2025. That's a $22,000 increase. Will you help Bridge this Gap?
- [COMPLETED 12/1/2024] Matching Anonymous Gift - Per our donor's request, we have been challenged to match their $30,000 gift over the next two years. Our Church Council will be planning fundraising opportunities to go towards the match, but each of us individually are expected to contribute as well. There are Bridge the Gap envelopes in the narthex of the church to use for your contributions. These envelopes can be dropped in the weekly offering plates or in the Church Office.
- Becoming Debt Free - As of the beginning of the Bridge the Gap Appeal we still owe $212,000 on our mortgage. We continue to pay $6,000/month and $70,000/year. At that pace we expect the mortgage to be paid in full by September 2027. With continued attention to our mortgage, the Bridge the Gap Appeal will help free up funds and put us in a great position for continued and expanded ministry in our community and beyond.
Celebration Event!
On Saturday evening, September 6, 2025, upon meeting the goals of our Bridge the Gap appeal, a special celebration event including a meal, entertainment, and more, will be held. Save the date!
Join Us For These Celebrations!
"Bridge the Gap" Kick-Off!
Sunday, September 10, 2023
"Bridging the Gap ... from Fear to Faith"
Sunday, December 10, 2023
"Bridging the Gap ... from Scarcity to Abundance"
Sunday, May 5, 2024
"Bridging the Gap ... from Holding On to Letting Go"
Sunday, June, 23, 2024
"Bridge the Gap" Fun Family 5K
Rally Sunday, September 15, 2024
"Bridging the Gap ... from Apathy to Mission"
Sunday, December 8, 2024
"Bridging the Gap ... from Involvement to Engagement"
Sunday, May 4, 2025
"Bridging the Gap ... from Debt to Dreams"
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Special Celebration Event!
Including a Meal, Entertainment, & More!
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Save the Date!
"Bridge the Gap" Kick-Off!
Sunday, September 10, 2023
"Bridging the Gap ... from Fear to Faith"
Sunday, December 10, 2023
"Bridging the Gap ... from Scarcity to Abundance"
Sunday, May 5, 2024
"Bridging the Gap ... from Holding On to Letting Go"
Sunday, June, 23, 2024
"Bridge the Gap" Fun Family 5K
Rally Sunday, September 15, 2024
"Bridging the Gap ... from Apathy to Mission"
Sunday, December 8, 2024
"Bridging the Gap ... from Involvement to Engagement"
Sunday, May 4, 2025
"Bridging the Gap ... from Debt to Dreams"
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Special Celebration Event!
Including a Meal, Entertainment, & More!
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Save the Date!
