January 25, 2025
Friends in Christ,
…you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,
in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who
called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.…
I Peter 2:9
I write this annual report to the congregation at a time where darkness is doing its best to dim the light of God’s love through Christ and by the Holy Spirit. It is a conflict as old as the ages. But we know, as the Gospel of John tells us, that the light shines and always will shine, and the darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:5).
In the midst of the gathering gloom, 2025 has been a year of light for Cross Lutheran Church.
I offer a word of thanks for our excellent staff. For Carol, our financial secretary, who remains steady and consistent, faithful and committed to her work. For Kenneth, our director of music, who in the past year has shared his many musical gifts, planned and led worship, directed an inspiring choir, and helped bring the ringing of bells back to our thankful ears. I give thanks for Jamie Gudknecht (who needs no introduction and refuses any formal title) who has been a gracious, thoughtful, caring partner in taking care of the business of the church. And I give thanks for Nick Gudknecht for his important contributions to online worship during the first part of the year.
The John Glenn Community Market/Jet Launching Pad continues to grow and serve our neighbors. Our August market served over 150 families, easily the biggest turnout since I first joined Cross. We have been joined by gracious volunteers from Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. And, we have welcomed families from Weaver Elementary to the market since October. Presently, we are working directly with John Glenn staff to help serve those families who are staying away in fear of ICE and Border Patrol agents during the federal assault on immigrants and people of color in the Twin Cities. We are also accompanying our partner congregations—Adventista del Septimo Dia, Ebenezer Elim, and Promesa de Dios—by providing food and supplies to their members on lockdown. For everyone who has bagged onions, unloaded palettes, folded boxes, arranged tables, and served with a smile, thanks. Thanks to everyone who had contributed financially to this important ministry. You all are the hands that do God’s work. Last, but not least, thanks to Jamie Gudknecht for following in the steps of Sylvia Graham by providing both faithful leadership and joy.
Speaking of God’s Work, Our Hands, I am thankful for everyone who helped plan, lead, and organize our joint Sunday worship and service project with our friends at Our Redeemer. In addition to worshipping together in Wakefield Park, we made blankets which were shared with folks going through chemotherapy and care kits which were shared to the homeless. I hope this is the first of many God’s Work, Our Hands Sundays.
I am grateful to our Stewardship Committee for faithfully attending to our various financial assets, our annual budget, and to the many and various gifts of time, talent, and treasure that we share as a congregation. Our annual participation in the John Glenn Math Carnival and Feed My Starving Children continue to be highlights. I look forward to the coming year.
I am thankful to our Board of Lay Ministry for all the ways they enhance and lead the worship life, membership, and care of this congregation. This past Lent, we welcomed our friends from Our Redeemer Lutheran to our Wednesday night Lenten soup supper and worship, and averaged nearly 40 people each week. Holy Week worship was moving and deep, Advent Wednesdays were inspiring, and our special worship offerings (Ascension Day, Thanksgiving, and Blue Christmas) were lovely and moving. Although it is sometimes a quieter part of the board’s work, I appreciate the attention to the prayer needs and support of members and non-members alike. Of course, many loving hands, voices, and hearts make up our worship ministry. Thank you to all of our lay ministers, assisting ministers, altar guild, ushers, choir members, bell choir members, special musicians and singers, acolytes, and planners. Worship at Cross is truly a community effort.
The Board of Properties has been busy this year with new projects (LED lights in the hallways and the recently completed installation of security cameras on all the entrances). When you read their report, you’ll see that they have big plans for the coming year—and I appreciate the time and care they have put into planning. With three partner congregations sharing the building, we are frequently faced with some new challenges and opportunities, and I commend the board for all you do.
I give thanks for the Board of Faith Formation. You have been instrumental in the collaborative work we are now doing with Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. What began as shared confirmation has grown to shared Lenten worship, shared God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday, and the beginnings of shared ministry through the Community Market. Adult education this past year was vibrant, with deep dives into Bohnoeffer, contemplative discernment, the Voices of Advent, and the book When Church Stops Working from theologian Andy Root. You’ve stood behind our confirmation program with Our Redeemer, and you’ve found a way to involve our youngest members through our One Room One Kid Sunday School (thanks to Carolyn Border for teaching). Of course, our weekly Sing Around the Fire gatherings in September and October were, as always, a time of great joy.
I am thankful for the leadership of our executive committee and for your attention to our vision and mission. Your leadership has been crucial during the present federal incursion. Your willingness to step boldly and speak clearly for the sake of the neighbor is the heart of what we do as a people of faith. Our work is not done; there are many challenges and opportunities ahead. I look forward to partnering with you, and this church, in following God’s gracious call.
Thanks be to our congregational partners and the richness they bring to our lives together: The ELCA, the St. Paul Area Synod, Adventista Septimo Dia, Promesa de Dios, Ebenezer Elim, John Glenn, the Shores of Lake Phalen, Merrick Community Services, Our Redeemer, Alano, and the Knickerbocker Family, missionaries to Papua New Guinea.
Thanks always to the United Sisters for your gifts of time, treasure, and especially food as you support, often quietly, the ministries of this church. From funeral meals and Wednesday night soup suppers to Sunday coffee and helping purchase a new refrigerator for the sacristy, you always come bearing gifts. I am most grateful for your leadership in providing the gravestone for Carol Fontaine.
I give thanks for you all for the grace, support, and encouragement you have provided during my Doctor of Ministry studies at Iliff School of Theology in Denver. I will be starting my final class for this degree on February 6 (can you believe it?). If all goes well, I will be defending my doctoral project at the end of the year. I couldn’t do this without the support of this church and my family.
And finally, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your care and concern, your notes and gifts and goodies, and all other ways you have supported my family and me as your pastor. You bless us often and abundantly.
I enter this year with a sense of great anticipation for our congregation. Even in the midst of this present darkness, we are blessed to be people of the light. Thank be to God.
Pax,
Pastor Scott