King of King's History Highlights
King
of Kings Lutheran Church organized as a congregation December 12, 1960 and was
officially received into the Augustana Lutheran Church April 14, 1961. The
church has been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since the
Synod’s inception.
Our
congregation has been served by the following pastors: Rev. Robert C. Janes,
1961 – 63; Dr. Alfred L. Grewe, 1965 – 67; Rev. Vern D. Jeffers, 1967 –71;
Dr. Stewart D. Millon, 1971 – 87; Rev. John A. Lundblad, 1987 – 97; Rev. Douglas
Knutson-Keller, 1997-2001; and Dr. David R. Kupka, 1998 – 2005. In addition,
two interns have served our congregation: Charles Aden in 1995 and Monica Gaus-Langer
in 2002-03. Three other members of our congregation have been ordained: Elli
Kim-Bauer (adopted Korean daughter of Pastor Millon), Jane Denison, and Ray
Strong. Over the years, we have provided financial support to seminarians in
their study to become pastors. Additionally, we supported a mission trip of
five of our members to Guyana in 2004.
In
the late 1980's there was a misappropriation of money (between $40,000 and
$50,000) by a church council official from the memorial fund, accomplished by
writing checks into his personal account. The Council chose not to prosecute,
and the party agreed to make restitution. He made partial restitution only, and
with his payments and the return from our insurance, about 90% was recovered and
we were able to write off the remainder.
Lynn
Hieb joined the staff as Director of Music in 1990, and during his time here has
built our music ministry into one of the cornerstone features of our
congregation. The program now includes a full chancel choir with over 30
members, an octet chamber choir, and a hand bell choir. Our worship services
almost always include additional special music by Lynn on his classical guitar
and other solo music so that each service has special music on Sundays.
We
acquired a pipe organ in 1980, storing the larger ranks until we could move into
our new sanctuary in 1994. In 2003, we replaced the organ console with a Rodgers
digital organ that has the capability to integrate fully with the existing pipes
in the church.
In
1993 the unoccupied parsonage was sold to a member of the congregation. Proceeds
from this sale were used to fund the building of a much-needed new sanctuary.
On Palm Sunday, March 24, 1994, we broke ground for our new building, which was
completed in the fall. On November 20, 1994, we held our Service of
Dedication. The following year the Bell Tower and Canopy were built with
memorial funds. In 2005, 5 new stained glass windows were installed in the
upper side windows of the church, also built with memorial funds.
When
the parsonage, which had been named Kid’s Kampus and converted into an
after-school tutoring facility, became available for sale again in 2003, the
congregation bought it back. Renamed King’s Kampus in 2004, it provided Sunday
School and Youth meeting rooms, plus additional office space and storage. It is
now in the process of being converted to a learning center for preschool age
children.
Over
the past few years, the Church has signed 3 different leases offering space on
our facility as Cell Sites, with the funds currently designated to capital
improvements.
A
Memorial Court was built and dedicated in March 2006, with memorial ‘tiles’
being sold to members. The space behind the larger memorial
‘tiles’ is a columbarium for the reception of cremation urns.
In
2006 a new Building Planning committee was organized to plan the replacement of
the two older buildings (Parish Hall and Old Sanctuary) to be funded by a new
building program. We hope to have completion by 2010.
In 2007, Pastor James Jerpseth began serving
as the Pastor of King of Kings. Pastor Dave Kupka returned to King of Kings as
the part-time visitation Pastor. We are so lucky to have him return!
During Lent 2007, Cricket Communications
finished work on their cell tower which is in the form of a 45 foot tall Cross.
It was dedicated on Palm Sunday.
Late in 2007, the amendment to the
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) needed to replace the old buildings was submitted
to the city. We anticipate that construction of the Nursery Addition will begin
in Spring 2008
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