Our History

RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH HISTORY 

A CHURCH ON A MISSION

 

In the 1950’s, two separate small Lutheran groups met in Greene County. They were brought together during 1958 when The Rev. Louis Launhardt was called by the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) to serve this mission congregation in Cairo, NY. The mission was bringing people to Christ - and in May of 1959 approximately 200 people became Charter members of Resurrection Lutheran Church, meeting in what was then the American Legion Hall in Cairo.

            The cornerstone for our current main building was laid in November of 1963. The Fellowship Hall served as the worship area until construction was completed. Confirmation classes, Bible Classes, a Youth Group and Ladies Assembly were organized. Fellowship Dinners were held often, forging close relationships bound by faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord built the faith of His people through Word and Sacrament. The Church was on a mission!

            Greene County’s booming resort industry proved challenging for many families of Resurrection whose livelihood depended upon tourism, yet whose hearts yearned to worship the Lord. During the late-1960’s we participated in ecumenical Lenten services, with intentional outreach to the community in word and deed, shepherded by our second Pastor, The Rev. John Kjoller. We had a mission!

            The 1970’s were our “baby boom years”.  Many couples of the congregation were starting their families, and the building was alive with activity. This period gave rise to our weekly Coffee Hour, an increasingly important time of fellowship for this geographically scattered group of believers. During this time, the Folk Choir came into being, broadening the congregation’s musical expression of faith, and understanding of the mission. The Rev. Dean Gade, our third Pastor, led us in the joyful worship, earnest Bible Study and strong fellowship which characterized these years. While the winds of change brought both struggles and growth, the Word of God continued to be preached, taught and experienced at Resurrection. 

            The hunger for something beyond Sunday worship during an 18-month pastoral vacancy led to the formation of weekly home Bible study groups, a forerunner of our later Small Group ministry. At the end of that vacancy - a trying time for any congregation - the body of Christ at Resurrection emerged stronger in faith, having been shaped by God’s loving hand, always focused on the Word of God and the Cross of Christ.

            The Rev. Larry Peters arrived and became our fourth Pastor. The mission continued! Change and spiritual growth were evident between 1980 and 1992, with a solidifying of our Lutheran traditions and heritage. Acquisition of our Preschool, opening of the Food Pantry, and expansion of the summer Vacation Bible School program revealed our renewed commitment to local missions. The God-blessed increase led to the renovation and expansion of our building, providing more classrooms, choir and food pantry rooms, more office space, and an area to socialize.

            Additional mission opportunities appeared during those years, as God brought a new Organist and Director of Music, Pam Slater, to us. The music program expanded to include active Adult, Folk, Youth and Children’s Choirs, and instrumental groups. A second “baby boom” resurfaced the need for more youth ministries. Many women found their ministry niche in the newly re-formed Ladies Guild (now called Lutheran Women’s Missionary League—LWML). 

            Resurrection experienced another lengthy pastoral vacancy during 1993-94. This was a unique time of personal and congregational growth, renewal, and preparation for the expanded mission the Lord had for us with our fifth pastor, The Rev. Victor Nelson. In the Fall of 1995, a formal Mission Statement was adopted, congregational direction was sought, and future plans were set in motion. Our mission intensified!

            Christian Education for all - young and old - increased in priority during these years. More adult Bible Classes were added, ongoing Small Groups were intentionally formed, and Sunday School and Adult Bible Classes expanded into a 12-month program.

            We were blessed as the Lord of the Harvest drew many new people to Resurrection, revealing the need for a second  Sunday morning worship service, with a third [summer evening mid-week service continuing for many years]. Our Preschool, re-named Joyful Christian Preschool in 1995, experienced positive changes - continuing the mission! The Lord has so blessed Resurrection that a “Forward in Mission” program was established in 1997, opening new opportunities for mission for the future.

            Our gracious Lord, knowing our needs before we did, brought about the sale of a small piece of church property to CVS in 1998. The sale, along with major land-clearing efforts, exposed the church building to the main intersection in Cairo, beckoning more of our local residents and guests alike. 

            “Catch The Vision! Share The Glory!” was our theme for 1999, as we joyfully celebrated Resurrection’s 40th Anniversary and looked forward to continuing the mission.

            New congregational planning sessions in the late 1990's produced “visions” relating to the needs of our growing congregation. Chief among these were the addition of more classroom space for Christian education and the expansion of the pastoral ministry to meet current and anticipated needs of the mission.

            Earnestly seeking the Lord’s guidance and provision, the congregation moved forward in mission. The Van Ministry began in 2002 [continuing for several years], and in 2003 a three-fold approach forward in mission emerged. Ground was broken for our new Christian Education building, which was completed at the end of 2005. In addition, the congregation sponsored long-time member, Shirley Algozzine’s participation in the two-year Atlantic District Diaconate Training Program. Shirley was commissioned as Deacon of Resurrection Lutheran Church in July of 2003 and joined the Ministry Staff. She has served full-time as Deacon, assisting and expanding the Pastor’s ministry, and as Director of ministries including Outreach, Assimilation, and Adult Christian Education, bringing an added dimension to the congregation’s ministry, and broadening its capabilities. At the same time, the congregation began it’s support of Pastor Nelson’s four-year advanced leadership training through the Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI) of the LCMS. God has been preparing Resurrection for further growth and mission.

            Over time the congregation began implementing PLI-inspired ideas and principles. The “Deacon’s Moment” was integrated into our worship services, along with a weekly personal prayer opportunity, and an 8:15 Folk Choir was established. Congregational committees were restructured for more effective ministry, more frequent New Member classes have been offered, and an enhanced music program brings a new level of excellence to our worship. Ministries to children have also been expanded. God’s mission at Resurrection continued.

            Recognizing the need for spiritual growth among our members and friends, the congregation embarked on the 40 Days of Purpose program during the 2004 Lenten season. Involving most all of Resurrection’s approximately 200 regular attenders in weekly worship and a special sermon series, meeting in small groups at the church and in members’ homes, and daily devotional readings, the Lord’s gracious love in Jesus Christ was made known through this program in ever-deepening ways, as we examined the question, “What On Earth Am I Here For?”  A new appreciation for this type of spiritual growth opportunity emerged, with similar programs being offered regularly in the years to come. What an exciting mission for the Lord we have been given.

            Also during this time, Pastor Nelson and Deacon Shirley began an ongoing Leadership Training program through Ablaze! and the Transforming Churches Network (TCN) to further equip them for leading the congregation into more effective mission in our local community.

            Responding to the increasing number of active youth, the congregation established a part-time position of Youth Director, filled by church member, Dana Nieder. We are thankful to the Lord for the doors this has opened for the youth to grow spiritually, fellowship together, and serve the community and the church. The mission “rocks” on!

            Resurrection has seen internal renovations to the Main building, expanding the Music Room, Food Pantry, and LWML project area. Further work remains, involving possible expansion of our worship area, renovation of the main Rest Rooms, and completion of the Christian Education Building lower level.

            Our Music Program again has seen growth, with more opportunities for musical expression offered in the late fall of 2005. Three Bell Choirs have been formed, thanks to a generous gift to the music program for the furtherance of our mission.

            In the spring of 2006 Resurrection again entered the planning process, resulting in a new Mission Statement: to help people know Jesus Christ, the adoption of Values, and Visions for 2010. Mission and outreach continue to underlie and motivate us in all areas of ministry.

            In 2007 Resurrection’s worship band, “A Joyful Noise” was formed, bringing a contemporary music sound and style to aid in our mission and outreach to the younger generation, proving to be a blessing for RLC people of all ages as well.

            Led musically by our worship band, our mid-week evening PAUSE (Prayer, Adoration, Uplift, Scripture, Eucharist) was birthed in 2008. This combination of informal worship & small break-out group study has expanded our reach in both of these areas and proved an important tool for our mission.

            A more than three-year process, driven by our Lord and inspired by PLI and Ablaze / TCN Leadership Training, resulted in a new Constitution and By-Laws permanently adopted as of July 2009. In our rapidly-changing culture, this Accountable Leadership structure enables more efficient and flexible operation, more effective ministry, and more active involvement of God's people, while focusing the entire congregation on our mission: to help people know Jesus Christ.

            The year 2009 marks 50 years in ministry and mission for Resurrection. A year-long anniversary celebration has seen the return of several of our previous pastors to share the Gospel under the theme, “Forward in Faith”. Activities and commemorations have taken place to help us remember the past, rejoice in the present, and march boldly into the future, as the Lord leads.

            Throughout the years since 1959, one thing has always been evident. We have gathered around the Word and Sacraments, keeping our eyes on the cross and trusting in the Resurrection power of Jesus Christ. We will continue in His power and strength as He gives direction for the future mission.

            We pray that 100 years from now it will be said of this congregation, that by God’s grace we were faithful to the mission assigned to us by our Lord Jesus - to help people know Jesus Christ.