 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
Servant of the Shepherd Church is a congregation of recovering addicts and alcoholics (and their families and friends) striving to serve God by loving His people. "For I was a stranger and you welcomed me..." -Matthew 25:35b |
| Located at: 103 N. 4th St (4th & Elm) in River Falls Wisconsin Church Phone: (715) 425-6910 Pastor Frank: (715) 222-8922 (cell) Email Pastor Frank: flukasiewicz@aol.com |
 |
"I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me."
Then Jesus added, "Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was Me - you did it to Me." -Matthew 25, Message Bible
Servant of The Shepherd Church was founded by Pastor Frank and his wife, Lois, in April of 2000. Although Frank is an ordained Lutheran pastor, Servant of The Shepherd Church is an independent congregation, having no affiliation with any national or international denominational organization.
March 15th, 2012
Blessings! I want to update you on what the Lord is doing through the ministries of Servant of The Shepherd (SOS) to help the hurting, hungry, and homeless in River Falls and surrounding communities.
Sunday Worship Service attendance is 40-85, usually around 60. Our membership continues to grow each month. Because we are what is referred to as an "ongoing mission congregation", membership in our church is not "official" as in most churches. Currently, we have about 350 "members" who attend regularly, or come and go as they journey through life.
Free Meals / Summer BBQ are served to 40+ people each Sunday after services - provided by SOS members and individuals & churches in the community.
Seven Bible Studies are attended each week by 70+ people from teens to the elderly - most in various stages of recovery from drug / alcohol addiction. They are so excited to receive a Study Bible from SOS after attending twice. For some, it is their first Bible.
The Sober House is a vital part of our ministry. Pam & Kevin (& their teen-age son) take in adults & youth who need a safe place to spend the night, have a meal and talk. The House also provides temporary housing (several weeks to 18-months max) for newly-sober men who are looking for work & housing, and learning to live new lives of sobriety. Most importantly, they are in a Christian environment & usually become involved in worship and Bible studies. Since it opened in 2003, 200+ people have come through its doors - not including the hundreds who have stopped by for coffee, prayer, impromptu AA meetings, or Bible study.
Lodging for the Homeless is provided by SOS and its members. Referrals come from the local police department, social service agencies, and other churches. if we have available funds, the homeless are put up in a motel for a night or two. Also, many of our members take in individuals, often for weeks at a time, helping them find the resources they need to get back on their feet. Our members use their own money to feed, house, and transport those in need to jobs, appointments, and meetings.
Our Food Shelf Ministry serves those in need from the community-at-large, as well as SOS. We run our Food Shelf as we believe Jesus would run it. We ask for no ID. People take what they need, as often as needed, & all are treated with dignity. We believe it's God's food, and when it's gone, He will provide more and that is exactly what He has done for 12 years! A retired church member restocks the Food Shelf at least once a day (often 3+ times) with food he purchases himself, or food donated by individuals & churches in the community and beyond. often, the Food Shelf is the impetus for people to start worshiping with us.
Funds / Gift Cards to those in Need are prayerfully given out for rent, utilities, gas, diapers, food and medical expenses. Again, we believe it is God's money and we are all called by Him to help others as Jesus asks us to. It is our chance to let others "see" the love of Christ, so that they will then be more open to hearing about Him. And yes, God always replaces what has been given out (or more!), and helps us with discernment so we are rarely "taken".
Our Furniture Ministry is headed up by one of our members, who also pays for 5 storage units which hold the furniture & household goods collected from the community and given to anyone in need in the community. The Turningpoint shelter for abused women in RF refers many women to us who need everything to furnish an apartment for themselves & their children. We also help those who have completed rehab at the RF alcohol/drug treatment center & want to begin their new lives here in RF because of its large recovery community and distance from old "using" friends.
Two SOS "Outcasts" Teams on RF Church Softball League! Since the "Outcasts" teams formed in 2004, we have had two championship seasons & are often voted as the team others most like to play against. our players have such fun & exhibit such a Christ-likeness (aka "good sportsmanship") because many have never played ball sober, and others can't believe they're even alive to play. We also have the most (& most exuberant!) fans in the stands. From a spiritual standpoint, softball season means a higher worship and Bible study attendance, too.
Official Church Duties of SOS since being founded on Easter Sunday, 2000: Baptisms - 49, Weddings - 27, Funerals - 20. And only God knows how many physical and spiritual lives have been touched - or literally saved - by what Christ has done here. We are humbled to have been chosen to "serve the Shepherd by loving His people" here in River Falls, Western Wisconsin, & the Twin Cities area. By His strength, provision and grace, may we continue to share our Lord's present and eternal love at SOS.
We get such joy in telling the story of our church and how God made it happen - and how He continues to grow and sustain it. Thank you so much for your support - whether that comes in the form of prayers, participation in our annual SOS Golf Tournament, a monetary donation, or joining us for worship services.
Gods richest blessings...
Pastor Frank & the members of Servant of The Shepherd