Joe & Monica

After a long, courageous fight, Monica went home to her Lord this week.  Please keep Joe and Monica's family in your prayers.

• Sunday worship service attendance is 40-85, usually around 65.

• Free hot meal served to 40+ people each Sunday after service - provided by SOS members and individuals/churches in the community.

• Seven Bible studies attended each week by 70+ people, from teens to elderly - most in various stages of recovery from drug/alcohol addiction. They are excited to dive into God's Word.

• The Sober House is a vital part of our ministry.We take in adults and youth who need a safe place to spend the night, have a meal and talk. The House provides temporary housing (several weeks up to 18-month maximum) for newly sober men who are learning to live new lives of sobriety and are looking for work and housing. They are soon involved in worship and Bible studies in a Christian environment. Since the start in January 2003, over 200 people have entered this door for safe housing, not including the hundreds who have stopped by for coffee, prayer, impromptu AA meetings or Bible study.

• Our Food Shelf ministry serves anyone in need.We run our Food Shelf as we believe Jesus would run it.We ask for no identification. People take what they need, as often as they need, and all are treated with dignity.We believe it's God's food, and when it is gone, He will provide more.And that is exactly what He has done for 11 years! A retired church member restocks the Food Shelf at least once a day (sometimes 3 or 4 times) with food he purchases with his own funds, or individuals and churches in the community and beyond contribute food. Often, the Food Shelf is the impetus for people to start worshiping with us.

• Funds to help with living expenses. We prayerfully give out funds for rent, food, gas, diapers, utilities and medical expenses.Again, we believe it is God's money and we are all called by Him to help others as Jesus asks.It is our chance to let others "see" Jesus, and we hope they will want to hear more about Him.And yes, He always replaces what has been given out or more, and helps us with discernment - we are rarely "taken."

• Our Furniture Ministry continues to grow. Our ministry leader pays for 5 storage units to keep furniture and household goods collected from the community. We give items to anyone in need. The shelter for abused women in River Falls refers women to us who need everything to furnish a home for themselves and their children.We also help those who have completed rehab at the alcohol/drug treatment center in River Falls and want to begin their new lives here because of a large recovery community and distance from old, "using" friends.

• Spring training starts soon for the SOS Outcasts!Since 2004, the Outcasts have played in the River Falls Church Softball League.We now have enough players for three teams. We've had two championship seasons and we are often voted as the team others most like to play against, because our players have so much fun and exhibit such Christ-likeness (aka "good sportsmanship"). Many have never played ball sober, and others can't believe they're alive to play - and have fun.We also have the most (and most exuberant!) fans in the stands. From a spiritual standpoint, softball season means a much higher worship and Bible study attendance, too.

• SOS Sunday School is being taught by one high school senior and 3 college students who are doing a fantastic job with preschool through elementary Sunday school during our worship service. The kids love it and we are attracting more families to the church. These same girls, with a deep and contagious love for the Lord, also launched a growing Youth ministry for high school and college-age students. Bible studies, lock-ins and service projects get the rest of us hyped up about Jesus, too! We are grateful to the Lord for answering our years of prayers to meet the spiritual needs of the young people in our community. We have always been known as a "recovery church." Now we're slowly being recognized as a church for everyone.

• Official duties of SOS since being founded in 2000 - Baptisms: 49, Weddings: 25,Funerals: 17. 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 and Western Wisconsin.By His strength, provision and grace, may we continue to share His present and eternal love at SOS.

We get such joy in telling the story of our church and how God made it happen. Thank you 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.

God bless,

Pastor Frank Lukasiewicz and the members of Servant of The Shepherd