As we envision this congregation five years from now, we pray that our facilities will be an equipping station for an ever-expanding, multi-generational, faith community that is actively spreading Jesus' love to the ends of the earth by effectively employing the multiple gifts, experiences, and viewpoints of its membership and staff.

Since we believe that it is the "Holy Spirit who calls, gathers, and enlightens the entire church on earth," how do we know if our intentions are in line with His divine will? We will only know by having some method of marking or measuring the six "Critical Targets" we have identified to reach the "desired outcome" described above.

Speaking in biblical terms, the children of Israel knew they were going the right way because they could "see" a cloud pillar during the day and fire pillar at night. Since however, the Lord does not guide most believers in such an obvious way, we make use of our sanctified sensibilities:

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. (Proverbs 16:3 & 9 NIV)

When I planned this, did I do it lightly? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, "Yes, yes" and "No, no"? But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:17-20 NIV)

For that reason, the following "indicators of success" (listed below) will be our first attempt to discern any "Evidence of Blessing." Through time these markers will be met, modified, or changed based on actual results.

To that end, May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. (Psalm 20:4)

PS+

I. "People Power" (Staffing Level)

1. Staffing is defined
2. The assessment of professional and volunteer capabilities to match skills with position or area of responsibility.
3. Elder restructuring is accomplished to cover all ministry areas.

II. "Refreshing" (the Vision)

1. "Pop Quizzes" to see if members understand the mission statement and how they see themselves helping to fulfill the ministry's outcome.
2. There is an increase in general giving and participation in support of the ministry - "for where your heart is, there your treasure will be also."
3. Members are involved in the strategic planning for the ministry through small advisory/focus groups, "cottage meetings," and Mission and Ministry forums with staff, to share ideas for actualizing the Critical Targets.

III. "Growth" (Continual Numerical and Spiritual Growth)

1. Communicant membership is increasing.
2. Worship attendance is increasing.
3. There is a good baseline of member activity in Bible classes, small groups, etc.
4. One area of ministry is doubling in participation.

IV. "Outreach" (Home and Foreign)

1. As soon as possible, we have regular missionary communications/updates for the membership.
2. We start one new local mission within one to one and a half years.
3. We are fully supporting at least one foreign mission within two years.
4. At least one positive local media story has been printed/broadcast.

V. "Facilities" (Physical Plant)

1. There is a database for campus facility utilization as soon as possible. (We know which groups are using the current facilities on a regular basis and are assessing other opportunities to fill it.)
2. At lease one new community group is using the facility in the next year.
3. The Ministry Center is in full use within one year.

VI. "18-40 Ministries" (Ministry to Young Adults 18-40ish)

1. We see a 20% increase in active communicant membership in one year.
2. Participation in ministry activities is doubling in this age group.
3. We have an increase in the number of reasons for school parents to be on, and stay on, campus.
4. There is tuition assistance (free tuition) for at least 1-2 unchurched families who do not currently attend the school, in the 2008-09 school year.

Happy New Year! July 1 is the beginning of a new fiscal/program year for OSLM. We have a new set of Critical Targets and Goals, we have a new budget, and we have a new Lay Governing Board. Of course, those of you who were at the May 20 Stewards' meeting were involved in the process of creating these new things. In particular, you voted to approve the new budget and you elected Marcus Schildbach and Jacki Shotts to the LGB.

On June 12, the new LGB met for the first time. We provided some orientation for our new members, and we said good-bye to John Honig and Marilyn Janzen, who will be moving on to other ministries at OSLM. We also elected the new LGB officers (who are also officers of the congregation) for 2007-08. They are: Norman Back, Chair; Beth Young, Vice-Chair; and Jacki Shotts, Secretary. Please keep these people in your prayers; I know by experience that they have a difficult but rewarding job ahead of them.

In subsequent articles, I will be sharing some of my ideas for making the LGB more effective in its primary job of Strategic Planning. One of the things that I hope to do this year is to do a better job of involving you, the Stewards, in this process. I want to find a way to engage all of the Stewards in a dialog about a single question: Where do we want OSLM to be five or more years from now?

Just as a reminder, here are all of the members of the new LGB: Norman Back, Sylvette Phillips, Marcus Schildbach, Jacki Shotts, Ken Volkman, Beth Young, and Jesse Yow. Don't be shy about talking to any of us at any time about the future of OSLM.

We give God the glory for:

• Our many PTO volunteers for all the work they did for our last day school picnic. We had jumpers, popcorn, snow cones, ice cream, and lots of sun and fun. Thanks for all your work!
• Our 41 graduates of 2007!
• Linda Greenhagen for her "creative talents" and hard work in planning, and leading chapel for yet another year!
• Christa Even for playing the piano, organ, and other numerous musical instruments at our weekly chapel sessions and graduation worship.
• Angela Westphal, Traci Sprayberry, and Jayne Managan for their work on the graduation banquet and service.
• Everyone who took the time to say "thank you" for Lawren Miller's years of service to OSLM. He served as principal for two years and was a 5th grade teacher for 10 years. He took the school and the ministry through a great deal of history. Thank you for recognizing his work and service to OSLM!

Farewell
We bid farewell to four of our teachers from the 2006- 07 staff:

• Jill Davis - 7th grade homeroom teaching 6-8 grade science leaving to pursue other interests
• Lawren Miller - 5th grade homeroom teacher, retiring to Nebraska
• Christina Ramos - 3rd grade homeroom teacher, remaining at home with her newborn daughter and her two sons
• Darren Hill - 1st grade homeroom teacher leaving to pursue other interests

2007-08 School Year
The old year report cards have just been mailed out but we are already looking ahead to next fall and are making plans for in-services and the first day of school, August 29, 2007. School calendars for next year are available in the school office. The summer will be filled with ordering curriculum, ordering supplies, getting new carpet in two classrooms and the preschool "middle room," getting new flooring in the Extended Care Room, writing and re-writing parent and faculty handbooks, scheduling, securing staff, and more. Contrary to popular belief, just because school is out doesn't mean things aren't happening.

Join us at the Our Savior Lutheran Ministries Independence Day Celebration on July 4 at 5 p.m. for Fellowship, Family Fun, and Fireworks!

New this year! Ribs, Corn on the Cob, Pizza, Soft drinks, and Ice Cream will be on sale to benefit OSLM youth groups. There will be a patriotic mini concert in the sanctuary at 8 p.m.

The parking passes have been sold out; however, no pass is required to walk in! Please join us!

• Blood Pressure Monitoring will be offered in the Family Room after the 9 a.m. worship service on the first and third Sundays of each month.
• Pinochle Club - This group meets on the second Tuesday evening of the month. Everyone is invited to come out for a game of cards on Tuesday, June 10, from 7 - 9 p.m. in Room 18. Come and join in the fun!
• The Christian Reading Club of Our Savior meets on a monthly basis (during the school year) to share insights and reactions to a monthly reading assignment. The book to read over the summer is Think Like Jesus, by George Barna, ISBN #1-59145-019-5. This book is available at www.amazon.com. We'll meet for our discussion time on Tuesday, September 18, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in Room 8. Call Steve Christopher at 447-1246 ext. 228 for more information.

Four adults and 21 youth from Our Savior will be traveling to Orlando, Florida, on July 26 for the National Youth Gathering, and they will return to Livermore on August 1. Please pray for safe travel and good weather, that they will grow closer to God, and have fun. Your prayers are appreciated.

CLIMB (9-12 grades)
On Thursday, July 19 from 7 - 9 p.m., CLIMB will meet at the Buntjers' house for a pool party. If you need directions, email Timothy at dcetimothy@h otmail.com or call him at 447-1246, ext. 261.

CLIMB Lunch on Mondays. Bring your own lunch to the Youth Room on Mondays (except July 9) at noon to hang out and eat lunch together.

FISH (going into 7, 8 and leaving 8th grades)
July 11 and July 25 is Junior High youth night at OSLM. From 7 - 8:30 p.m., come to the gym for games, fun with friends, and time with God. Bring your friends and enjoy some fun at OSLM!

Renovation of our Ministry Center is moving along. The seismic retrofit is nearing completion and the excavations for pier footings in the old floor should be done by July 1. Most of this work is not visible from outside the building - have faith!

Please continue your prayers for a smooth, safe, and timely completion of our project.

Please click here for the Financial Report for May and also the Fiscal Year-to-Date Report.

The mission pledge is current and all expenses have been paid.

General Giving for May is down 15.5%. We are also DOWN 5.5% YTD. We would need $83,764 in June to make budget.

Balances in our checking and savings accounts total $422,972 which includes $14,584 in the Building Up - Reaching Out fund. The Church's portion of the mortgage as well as architectural fees are being paid out of this fund. Monthly pledges needed to make the mortgage payment are $22,000. In May, we received $18,440; however, funds normally set aside for this account were contributed to the Thrivent GivingPlus campaign in the additional amount of $4,205, for a total of $22,645. We are right on target.

The Thrivent GivingPlus program has generated $106,281 for the benefit of the Ministry Center. This includes $29,510 matching funds received from Thrivent through May.

Graduation is a milestone in the lives of young people. There are several young people from Our Savior congregation who have recently crossed this milestone, either from high school or college. We pray God's blessing on them now and in their future endeavors! Please click here for a list of these graduates.

Vacation Bible Camp at Our Savior will take place July 9 - 13. The theme for this year is the "Quest for Truth." Sessions take place from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., and we will begin in the sanctuary. Children ages 6 years through 5th grade are invited to attend, and they will have fun with games, crafts, music and snacks. A donation of $10 per camper is requested. Registration forms are available at the church office or online at www.oslm.net. See you there!

Our Savior Lutheran Ministries is a Christian Community--

• Rooted in Grace
• Growing in Faith
• Serving with Joy

Worship Schedule

• Sunday Worship and Communion: 9:00 a.m.
• Sunday School for all ages: 10:30 a.m.
• Sequel Workshop: 11:30 a.m.

Critical Targets and Goals

To accomplish our mission and ministry here at Our Savior:

• STAFFING LEVEL: The staff of OSLM (both professional and volunteer) has the size, the combination of skills, and the organizational structure that are needed to achieve the Desired Outcomes.
• REFRESHING THE VISION: The Stewards understand the Vision and Mission of OSLM, and they are actively engaged in defining and carrying out the Mission.
• NUMERICAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH: OSLM is experiencing continual year-by-year growth in (1) communicant membership, (2) worship attendance, and (3) number of people engaged in ministry activities.
• HOME AND FOREIGN OUTREACH: The staff and the Stewards of OSLM are carrying out a variety of mission activities here in the Livermore area, in the northern California region, and in foreign countries.
• PHYSICAL PLANT: The physical facilities of OSLM, both on and off the main campus, are being used effectively to achieve the Desired Outcomes.
• MINISTRY TO YOUNG ADULTS: The number of active communicant members in the 18-40 age group is growing year-by-year. OSLM is carrying out a variety of ministries aimed at the different sub-groups within this age group, including un-churched families of OSLS students.

Mission Statement

Our Savior Lutheran Ministries' Mission is to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8) by:

• Proclaiming salvation through God's grace in word and song;
• Building Christian relationships;
• Caring for the people of the community; and
• Equipping God's people for Life in Christ.