Introduction

What a fine theme our Church Council selected when it started planning these 50^th anniversary celebrations. St. Paul urges us twice to rejoice. In a way, he’s just reinforcing the point. At the time he wrote this letter to the Christians in Philippi, Paul himself was in prison. But even there, he had more than one reason to rejoice. He knew he was not alone. Christ Jesus had already claimed Paul as his own and would return one day to take him to his final home. (Phil 3:12, 20) In the meantime, Paul enjoyed the warm fellowship of Christians who shared this faith—and went out of their way, time and time again, to share their lives with him too. (Phil 4:15-18) That’s why Paul could write with such confidence, even from a prison cell: “I am thankful for your partnership in the gospel—from the first day until now!” (Phil 1:5) A double dose of rejoicing was certainly in order.  But there’s another reason too why Paul repeats himself. Christians rejoice for two different reasons. First, our rejoicing begins in the past. It starts by remembering what God has already done to help and save his people. He has forgiven our sins, through Jesus. He has brought us to faith, through the Holy Spirit. He has surrounded us with other believers, in the church. He has provided for our needs, in every circumstance.  Yet that’s only half of it! Paul tells us again to rejoice: not just because of what God has done in the past, but also because of what he is going to do in the future. In Paul’s own case, he could say with confidence: “I know that all of this will turn out for my salvation.” (Phil1:19) We look ahead with equal confidence that God will keep on blessing us in the future, even as he has in the past. One day, our faithful God will lead all of us all the way home.  From this perspective, this history booklet is not just about history. Yes, the committee that has prepared this booklet has done a deep dive into the history of Our Saviour Lutheran Church. Its members have dug into files, gathered documents, pored over reports, collected pictures, interviewed current and former members, tracked down former pastors, and written and rewritten these chapters. This booklet is not perfect and may contain some inadvertent errors, but its first goal has been to look back and capture—as fully as possible—the fantastic story of God’s faithfulness to this little congregation. As you will see, the story begins decades earlier than our formal organization in 1974, and involves some really fascinating people and events.  But the greater goal of this project involves looking forward, not just backward. As a congregation, we pray for God to guide us onward from this point. Like those who have come before us, we too want to grow in his Word and do whatever we can to increase our mission. We dare not stand still.  So, yes. “Rejoice in the Lord”—by looking back. Let’s say it again: “Rejoice!”—by looking ahead. As people who have been redeemed by Our Saviour and brought together in this place for his mission, we can all surely rejoice—“always!”  A brief word about the organization of this booklet. The first 9 chapters are organized according to the pastors who served the congregation at each part of its history. Because each pastor brought different gifts and experiences, and strengths and weaknesses, the life of the congregation took on different contours during each of their ministries. Between one pastor and the next, there was always a surprise! But God always gave his people good reason to rejoice when he led them from one to the next. Following these 9 time-focused chapters, there are 4 more chapters dealing with special topics that seem to deserve extra treatment. A statistical summary for the congregation’s history completes the package.  The committee that headed these 50^th anniversary celebrations as a whole was headed by Evelin Kruger, along with Wendy Punter and Brenda Chambers. The history sub-committee was headed by Evelin Kruger and Pastor Steve Chambers. The first draft of each chapter was made by a different person: Jeanette Domes, Lois Edelenbos, Evelin Kruger, Donna McAskile, Heinz Sperber, Jutta Storey, and Pastor Steve. Interviews were conducted by most of these same people, plus Sylvia Armbruster, Judy Dyke, Dino Kruger, and Ron Woodward. Photos were contributed and sorted by many people, including Sylvia Armbruster, Jeanette Domes, Lois Edelenbos, Donna McAskile, Darlene McFarland, Toni McKinnon, and Carol Zielke. Editing was a team project for Jeanette Domes and Pastor Steve. To all of these energetic and hard-working contributors (and any others we may have forgotten to name), Our Saviour Lutheran Church says a joyful and heartfelt thanks!

On the bigger scale, of course, we also thank God for everyone who has contributed so much time, energy, and talent to the Lord’s work here over the years. Some have been employed in the church office. Many have been elected or appointed to positions in the congregation’s structure as Council members, committee members, and Elders. Many more have served without pay or formal recognition as volunteer musicians, worship leaders, teachers, visitors, service teams, custodians, craftsmen, landscapers… the list goes on and on! As St. Paul recognizes, “All of you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Cor 12:27)

Thanks be to Christ our Saviour for bringing together so many hundreds of people into His body here at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, over the decades. To Him be all the glory, now and forever.