Annual Report

 

The Rev. Daniel A. Hodgson

Annual Report to Annual Congregational Meeting

January 15, 2006

2005: Our Life Together!

Dear People of Beautiful Savior:

Join me in giving thanks to God for....

  • 150+ Sunday Worship Celebrations + Special Days with Chancel Choir and Special Music
  • 9 Children, Youth and Adults Baptized
  • 7 Youth Confirmed
  • 5 Couples Joined in Marriage
  • 7 Saints Commended to God's Eternal Care 
  • Year-round Property Team Care of Property
  • 9 Months of Sunday School & Confirmation 
  • Year-round Academy Programs 
  • Year-round Youth Programs
  • 24 New Members in Spring & Fall Fellowship Groups 
  • Memorial Garden Ministry 
  • Men's Breakfast-Bible Study 
  • Year-round Monthly Feeding of the Homeless 
  • Women of the ELCA Circle Bible Study & Service 
  • Do-Day Ladies Fellowship & Crafts 
  • Your Ministry to Family, Church, Community and World

Highlights from my 2005 Calendar

  • January 23 13th Anniversary Worship of the Academy & 12th Anniversary of Director Rhonda Karrer
  • January 30 27th Anniversary Worship of Beautiful Savior: Guest Pr. Lester Hoffmann & "Rousing" Part-two of Annual Meeting re: Education Bldg Remodeling & Call of Pr. S. McDonald
  • February 6 Dedication of Expanded Facilities: Bishop Neils & Dr. James Pence
  • Feb-Mar "40 Days of Lent" Small Groups around "Purpose Driven Life"
  • March 27 Easter First Communion of 8 youth
  • April 16 W-ELCA Yard Sale for Ministry and Mission
  • May-June Chancel Choir Easter Cantata
  • July 24 Christening of "Werner Heritage Hall" in honor of Erna and Carl "Bill"
  • July 25-29 Vacation Bible School with Dove of Peace at BSLC
  • July-Aug Members remodel Education Building 2
  • August 21 Rally Sunday: Worship & Inter-generational Event in WHH (9:30 AM)
  • September 25 Bible Presentation to Third-graders
  • October 2 Re-dedication of Remodeled Education Building 2
  • November 6 Rite of Confirmation
  • November 2006 Stewardship Commitment Emphasis
  • November 12 Women of the ELCA Annual "Christmas Craft" Sale for Ministry and Mission
  • November 23 Thanksgiving Eve Worship with Academy Kids singing
  • December Chancel Choir Advent/Christmas Cantata
  • December 3
  • December 4 Advent Worship & Inter-generational Event in WHH (9:30 AM)

Personal Pastoral Ponderings

As the Beautiful Savior history book will record, 2005 turned out to be my last full year---of twenty-eight---as Pastor of Beautiful Savior. Only after we entered 2005---the year of my 65th birthday---did I begin to think about when might be a good time to retire and close this chapter of my life and our life together. As we now know, it will be February 12!

To say simply that 2005 or all 28 years have been "good" or even "great" (which they have been) does not quite seem to describe things adequately.

God's grace has flowed generously over and through all these days---10, 234 of them, including the 7 leap-days. So I commend our life together during all these days to the benediction God offered St. Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness."

That grace has been "amazing!" Its sounds in word, songs and prayers have been "sweet." and its power has "saved" me/us a million times.

'Til we meet again.

The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine upon you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and
+ give you peace.

And all the people said, "Amen."

Grace and peace,

--Pastor Daniel A. Hodgson