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2009
ANNUAL REPORT
Alleluia Lutheran Church
O give thanks to the Lord for He is good, and His mercy
endures forever! What an amazing year God gave to
Alleluia in 2009. God gave us a successful call
process, and a smooth pastoral transition. With
grateful hearts, we lift glad ‘alleluias’ to
the Lord. As a way to celebrate, here’s the year in
review……
WORSHIP
Alleluia’s family worshipped weekly at 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
on Sunday morning. During summer months, there was also
a 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening service. This year the
Thursday evening service was continued throughout the
year as another worship opportunity. Weekly attendance
averaged 141—an increase of 15 from last year. Each
service featured power-point visuals of songs, and
congregational singing was accompanied by keyboard,
guitars, flute, violins, french horn, trumpet, and
drums. Alleluia offered communion on first, third, and
fourth Sundays, and the Thursdays associated with these
services. Communion attendance averaged 75. A
Children’s Message was always incorporated in each
service. Everyone enjoyed the monthly visits by our
Alleluia puppet troupe. On May 7th Alleluia
was challenged with a 24-hour prayer challenge, and was
very successful with 96 participants. In June, District
President Joel Hoelter joined the festivities for the
Ordination and Installation of Pastor Aaron Hutton,
along with many other pastors. In August, ‘Worship in
the Woods’ and a Church Picnic were enjoyed at Mueller
Park in Wrightstown. Midweek services were offered
during both Lent & Advent. In October Alleluia
celebrated it’s 8th birthday. On
Thanksgiving Eve Alleluia hosted the joint worship
service with Bethany in Kaukauna. On December 20th,
our Sunday School children presented a program called
“Christ is the Heart of Christmas”. Two Christmas Eve
services welcomed 246 worshippers. It continues to be
affirming that visitors often comment on the warm,
welcoming atmosphere of our congregation. Alleluia!
WITNESS
It’s vital that God’s Word gets out—so that neighbors
near and far can share the hope we have in Christ! A
website details the mission and ministry of our
congregation:
www.alleluiawrightstown.org. Personalized postcards
were sent to those who visited Alleluia, along with a
phone call from pastor. On evangelism calls, DVDs of
‘The Story of Jesus for Children’ or the Jesus film were
often given out. Newsworthy events throughout the year
were frequently featured in two local newspapers: the
Wrightstown Spirit and the Brillion News.
Sunday School youth collected money for several groups:
Hearts for Jesus ($176.53), LCMS World Mission
Sparkler Project ($300.00), LCMS World
Relief/Human Care: Russia ($159.75), Mother &
Unborn Baby Care ($65.35), and Jason Hoogland
Scholarship Fund ($130.00). A ‘Concert of Praise’
was offered and well attended. In August, a servant
team of eight persons traveled to Watertown, WI to
assist with Camp Matz, a handi-camp for
cognitively-challenged individuals. Pastor Aaron opened
the local ‘Relay for Life’ with a prayer. To generate
funds for mission projects, ‘Alleluia Women on a
Mission’ (AWOM) sponsored both a cookbook project and a
rummage/bake/plant sale. Alleluia with AWOM hosted the
LWML Rally Day on October 17th. Alleluia
supported friendship families that included
international students attending St. Norberts
University. The Alleluia Puppets joined by others went
Christmas caroling at the Brown County Mental Health
Facility. Alleluia hosted and supported LCMS missionary
Petrea Schwahn with $721.00. At the Wrightstown
Christmas Parade, a float proclaimed: “Jesus Is Joy to
the World”. The youth group had a cookie walk to
support their upcoming ministry weekend. Finally, on
December 17th, a total of 541 visitors came
to the 12th production of ‘Christmas at the
Barn’—our annual evangelism event for the
community—which features a live nativity, free hayrides,
entertainment and refreshments—held at the Rock K Ranch
in Greenleaf.
EDUCATION
We know that “faith comes…by the Word of God”
(Romans 10:17).
That’s why Alleluia continued to place high value on
Christian education during the year. For the
edification of all, a daily Bible-reading guide appeared
in the monthly newsletter. Cradle roll materials were
sent to little ones. Six age-appropriate Sunday School
classes met each week during the school year, with
average attendance of 25. There was also a Sunday Adult
Bible Class, which viewed and discussed ‘How Great Is
Our God’ by Louie Giglio. The class read and discussed
‘He Chose the Nails’, ‘I Understand Your Pain’, and ‘I
Can Turn Your Tragedy into Triumph’ by Max Lucado. The
final topic was Pastor Bob’s ‘People Pictures of the
Bible’. Two Women’s Bible Study groups considered
“Pathway to Purpose” and “God Are You There?” A “Music
Seminar” was offered. There was a “Home Bible
Fellowship” that met in members’ homes to view videos:
‘Faith Like Potatoes’ and ‘Fly Wheel’. Four students
were privileged to attend a week at Camp Luther on full
district scholarship. Alleluia supported a youth and
sent him to ‘Impact Camp’, a camp dealing with
leadership skills. 20 people attended two separate
‘Faith-Basics Seminars’—in February and September. A
wonderful group taught a five-day Vacation Bible School
in July (Studio Go Game Show), which enrolled 50+
children. Eight confirmation students went on retreat
to Camp Luther in August in preparation for their 2-year
program. The confirmation curriculum was modified this
year, going with a program called ‘Faith Inkubators”.
Financial Peace University was offered on two separate
occasions. “Townhall for Hope” by Dave Ramsey was
offered at Alleluia. The Truth Project was offered for
the first time as well. A milestone for Alleluia was
the beginning of AyM Youth Group focusing on age groups
from 7th grade through High School. To aid
family preparations for Christmas, an ‘Advent I Spy’ was
distributed to the homes of all pre-school and
elementary youngsters.
FELLOWSHIP
Members of Alleluia’s family have enjoyed much
delightful conversation and fellowship during 2009. A
sprinkling of fun events punctuated the year, like
“Sweet Game Night”, “Family Fun Night”, and “Backyard
Bash”. Youth events included a “Lock-In”, “Bowling”,
and “Bonfire at the Bayerls”. The Hutton’s hosted a
kickball game. Rachel Baker offered a “Kazakh Tea” with
AWOM. A Chili Taste-off took place. Dessert and
fellowship after Lenten services along with Advent meals
occurred. A group went to Life Fest. Alleluia hosted
its first Annual Golf Outing. Pastor Bob and Penny held
an open house in Poy Sippi. Pastor Aaron and Krissy had
an Open House at their new home in Wrightstown.
Following the annual outdoor worship service, the
congregation enjoyed a potluck picnic in Mueller Park by
the Fox River. On Easter morning, we enjoyed an ‘Easter
Breakfast’ between services. A “Welcome to the Family
Shower” was given for Pastor Aaron and Krissy moving to
Wrightstown in June. A “Sing a New Song” party was
given in honor of Pastor Bob and Penny in December.
SERVICE
A servant lifestyle is one of the fruits of faith, and here are just a
few of the 2009 service projects:
* ‘Maintenance Ministry Teams’ continued to do weekly
custodial tasks at church.
* Our Community Room
was used by the Wrightstown Area Community Food Pantry
to distribute foodstuffs to needy area individuals and
families on the 2nd Saturdays of each month.
* “Big Brothers Big
Sisters” used our facility for an on-site mentoring
program.
* Aluminum cans were
collected and sold to provide funding for Alleluia’s
building program.
* A ‘Camp Scholarship
Fund’ provided over $1,000 to help Alleluia youth attend
summer camp.
* Hundreds of used
eyeglasses were collected for free distribution at
overseas mission clinics.
* Boot Camp and
Pilates exercise classes were offered for the community
in the Community Room.
* Alleluia Quilters
made 18 beautiful quilts for different ministry groups.
* Monthly mission
prayer-letters by the Baker Family of Kazakhstan were
printed and mailed.
* Two “Pickup
Parties” were conducted along Highway 57—cleaning the
roadside.
* ‘Al-Anon’ and
‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ met each Sunday night at
Alleluia.
* Christmas gifts
were gathered to bless an anonymous “Adopted Family” at
Christmastime.
* Many projects were
accomplished by volunteers: Church furnishings and
pictures, kitchen cabinets, community room shelf, TV &
AV stand, land preparation for seeding, memorial garden
planting, sound panels, kitchen drapes, vanity top,
mowing, and snow cleanup.
ADMINISTRATION
Day-to-day affairs of the congregation were conducted by
our Church Council. Officers in 2009 were Jim
Kiekhaefer (President),
Chuck Wilson
(Vice-President), Shelby Kussow
(Secretary), Lori
Collar (Treasurer), David Lich (Elder
Director), Wendy Hoeft
(Stewardship and Finance
Director), Pam Schuster
(Education Director),
Reed Ott (Properties
Director), Missy Just
(Youth Director),
and Joyce Bauer
(Evangelism/Social Ministry Director). A new
pastor, Aaron Hutton, was ordained and installed on June
7, 2009. A new office administrator, Krissy Hutton, was
hired on June 15, 2009. The ‘Scrip Program’ began as a
fundraiser for Alleluia. Pastor Bob Selle
“transitioned” out of Alleluia on December 31, 2009.
OFFICIAL
ACTS
Baptized…Ella Emily
Swanson (3/7/09)
Mason Daniel Teske (6/28/09)
Athena
Kristine Street (7/5/09)
Anessa
Marie Enz (10/04/09)
Addison Lynn Allen
(12/27/09)
Confirmed…Bo Charles Bayerl, Alex
Michael Maes, and Shelby Margaret Whalen
(5/17/09)
Married…Jason
VandenBush & Natasha Ring (9/12/09), Joey
Juedes & Nicole Hagerstrom (10/10/09)
Died…Dorothy
Elizabeth Vroman (12/26/09)
Received…Don
& Laura Schroeder, Jamie, Robin; Julie Burns;
Jim & Martha Prust; Al & Donna Vollmer;
Josh & Nataliya Enz, Anessa; Joey & Nicole
Juedes; Kia Maki; Matt & Melissa Teske,
Mason; Jason & Natasha VandenBush; Joe & Mandy
Stradel, Aubrey, Cora; Jeremiah & Rebecca
Gustafson, Brendan, Allison; Richard & Chrissy
Gustafson, Rebecca, Samuel; Jason Nelson
Released…Matt Moss; Joe & Sherri
Beausoleil, Alex, Ari; Danielle Coenen;
Ronald Liechti; David Selle
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