From Senior Pastor Saïd Ailabouni
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace Lutheran Church of La Grange, Illinois is a growing congregation. In fact, sometimes it feels like our rate of growth could be faster than is manageable.
Our congregation is committed to be the heart, hands, feet, and voice of Jesus in the world. We are his body in the world. Consequently, we find ourselves driven by a power greater than ourselves – by the Holy Spirit – to teach and preach, to care and serve, and to reach out in love to those who are near and far away. The Annual Report for 2009 is full of examples of how God is working in our midst. Please read it carefully and prayerfully, giving thanks to God for the amazing ways Christ Grace...is a growing congregation reveals himself to the world
through this congregation. Ask the office staff to mail you a copy of the Annual Report.
To accomplish its mission, Grace Lutheran Church of La Grange focuses on 4 core values:
• Worship
• Caring
• Education
• Service & Outreach
We seek to grow in each area in order to bring Christ’s presence to the lives of people of all ages. We care for God’s children from the womb to the grave. We tend to be bold. We are willing to change and grow as we learn of gaps in ministry that need to be addressed. We are also willing to grow as God blesses us with more human and financial resources.
Grace Lutheran Church is a Worshipping Community. We come to church each week because we need to worship in community. We need each other. We also have a yearning to worship God and to have God speak to us and strengthen us for our journey of service during the weeks ahead.
Grace is a Caring Community. When one suffers, all suffer together. Our congregation is known for its caring spirit. We carry each other’s burdens and support one another during hard times. The need for care and support is high.
Grace is a Learning Community. We seek to constantly grow in learning and doing God’s will in the world. Education for all ages is a top priority at Grace. We keep growing in our capacity to do a better job each year.
Grace Lutheran Church of LaGrange is a Serving Community that loves to reach out with the gifts of Christ to others in our community, in the Chicago area, in the country and in the world.
In the reports presented by the staff and committees, you will read about what happened at and through Grace Lutheran Church during the past year. It is truly amazing what God has been doing in our midst. We give our thanks to the members and staff who faithfully shared their time, talents, and financial resources for the greater good. We are all ministers in the church of Jesus Christ, gifted with unique talents and abilities and sent out into the world to be God’s Ambassadors of reconciliation in Jesus Christ.
Finally, it is important to note that a healthy support system is essential for the continued growth of our congregation. None of the areas of ministry can be carried out effectively, without strong financial support and an increased capacity to administer and manage the growth we experience. The challenges are great but truly enjoyable. The Council, committees and staff are all working hard to manage our growth. Your prayer support and participation is essential.
The Council approved a “Safe Church Policy” this past year, which seeks to provide a safe and secure environment for children and youth at church events, to protect them from incidents of misconduct or inappropriate behavior, and to provide protection for our staff and volunteers. This policy is now being implemented. Please attend the Feb. 7 Forum to hear more about it.
With deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve you and work with all of you, I am yours
In Christ,
Pastor Saïd Ailabouni
s.ailabouni@gracelutheran-lg.org
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