Forward in Faith

Building a Space for Grace and Community

Welcome. We share our rebuilding vision and capital campaign with gratitude and with hope. On Easter 2023, arson scarred the place we have called home since 1908. With God’s help—and with yours—we will take root again: to welcome, to nourish, and to send.

The booklet below tells our story—our hopes, our dreams, and a clear path through the numbers. The story is not finished. Join us as we write the next chapter.

Upcoming Events

Jeremiah 29:11

Our Prayer

Campaign Resources

You’re Invited!

This fall, we begin our journey with faithful steps together—praying, celebrating, and committing to the future God is building.

November 16th – Celebrating our Community of Faith

We gather for a joint German & English worship service followed by a delicious brunch, a presentation of our vision, and the distribution of the rebuilding campaign information packets.

December 14th – Committing to our Future

We gather in worship to offer our three-year financial commitments towards building our new space. This day also marks Faith’s 133rd Birthday—a celebration of our past and a joyful step into our future. Following a multilingual service, we’ll share food, fellowship, and festivities together.

Also, visit our blog for a look back at the past two years—community events, dreaming sessions, demolition, and the many presentations that have shaped this journey.

I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your flourishing, and not for harm, to give you a future and hope.

– Jeremiah 29:11

— has been chosen as our guiding scripture for our rebuilding campaign “Forward in Faith”. It’s a verse we love to hear, a verse that seems made for times like ours, full of uncertainty, planning, hoping, and longing for what comes next.

But Jeremiah 29 is not a simple pep talk. It’s a letter written by the prophet to a people in exile — a people who have lost everything familiar: their homes, their city, their temple. They are strangers in a strange land, longing for return, wondering if they will ever rebuild. And to them, God says something both challenging and comforting: “Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce… seek the flourishing of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its flourishing you will find your flourishing.”

In other words: stay faithful. Don’t let longing for the future keep you from living fully in the present. Don’t let the hope of “someday” become an excuse to neglect what God is calling you to do today.

It’s tempting for us — as we take on the monumental task of rebuilding — to make the project itself our purpose as a church. It can so easily become the only thing we fixate on: the fundraising, the design plans, the details and deadlines. But Jeremiah reminds us that even in exile — even before the rebuilding begins — God’s people still have a mission. They are still called to seek the flourishing of the city, to bless their neighbors, to embody God’s love in the place where they find themselves.

The same is true for us. Our mission — to welcome, nourish, and send people in Jesus’ name — doesn’t start when the new building is complete. It’s happening now. Every time we connect with each other in worship, every meal we serve through Faith Kitchen, every child learning in Children’s Church, every act of prayer, generosity, sharing, and care overflows from our faith into our lives — all of it is part of God’s good plan for us and for our city.

Yes, we will rebuild. But the goal is not simply a building — it is a community of faithfulness. A space for grace, yes, but more than that: a people through whom grace is shared. God’s promise in Jeremiah 29 is not about ease or speed; it is about faithfulness, perseverance, and hope that stretches across generations.

As we move “forward in faith,” let the months ahead be a time of spiritual upbuilding as well as physical rebuilding – the sort of “edification” St. Peter was talking about when he said, “like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 2:5) Let us pray that God would work on us as we work on our property. Let there be celebrations and fervent prayer and JOY in this thing we’re doing! That way, when we are done, we can give God all the glory.

Grace and peace,

Your Pastor Robin

Triune God,

You promise to be with us whenever two or more are gathered in your name. Be with us now, through this time of uncertainty and possibility, and throughout our rebuilding campaign. Strengthen our faith, that we may continually turn toward you as the source of our hope. Sustain us in community by your grace, and give us what we need to serve you well. May your will be done. Amen.

Prayer is a vital part of our life as Christians. Between now and our Forward in Faith Commitment Sunday on December 14, we invite you to keep Faith in your prayers as we take the next step toward rebuilding our church. Please place this prayer card on a table, windowsill, or nightstand as a reminder.

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Help us spread the word. Use the links below to share this page with your church, friends, family, and neighbors. The booklet above can be shared too, look for the button in the bottom-right corner. Thank you!
Forward in Faith Steering Team

Forward in Faith

Forward in Faith

You’re Invited!

This fall, we begin our journey with faithful steps together—praying, celebrating, and committing to the future God is building.

November 16th – Celebrating our Community of Faith

December 14th – Committing to our Future

Also, visit our blog for a look back at the past two years—community events, dreaming sessions, demolition, and the many presentations that have shaped this journey.

I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your flourishing, and not for harm, to give you a future and hope.

– Jeremiah 29:11

Triune God,

Commitment Sunday is December 14—these resources are here to answer questions and help you take your next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Creative Giving Ideas

Giving Guide & Commitment Form

Milestones & News

Have a question?

Contact the Steering Team or Rev. Renee—we’re happy to help and will respond shortly.

Campaign Steering Team

Campaign Consultant – Rev. Renee Liabraaten

Together, we can!