WELCOMING—The Rev. Matthew Nolte talks with Steve Skinner after church services Nov. 20 at Redeemer Lutheran Church. The church will celebrate its 60th anniversary next month. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers
The journey hasn’t always been a piece of cake for one long-standing Thousand Oaks church, but in early December, dozens of current and past members will gather to feast on the sugary delight to commemorate the chapel’s 60th anniversary.
Redeemer Lutheran at 667 Camino Dos Rios was founded in 1962 by 65 charter members who first held their services in a barn on Janss Road near Highway 23.
The congregation moved to Camino Dos Rios a few years later. Members rebuilt the sanctuary in October 1994 after it was damaged in a fire in 1992.
“It means God’s grace has continued to go forward,” the Rev. Matt Nolte said of the church’s longevity.
Nolte has served as a pastor in the Conejo Valley for 15 years. He began at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Agoura Hills in 2007 before joining the leadership team at Redeemer Lutheran, St. Paul’s sister church.
There are about 30 to 35 people who attend Redeemer Lutheran Church every week. Nolte said it’s a welcoming place for people to find God and worship together.
In a typical week, there are plenty of activities to involve and engage the community, including Bible study, communal meals and social events.
Lois Koeske, 89, has attended Redeemer Lutheran since 1967, when she joined the congregation with her husband, Tom.
The couple raised three children who grew up attending the church. They have moved to different cities but have kept their faith, Lois Koeske said.
Tom died 31 years ago but Lois continues to show up. She has led a women’s Bible study every Friday for the past 14 years.
“Church is my family,” said the former Sunday school teacher. “It’s like home. It’s familiar. It feels good every time I’m there.”
Lois Koeske said she hopes the church lasts another 60 years and more people “come to learn about Christ.”
“Churches today are having a problem keeping their members,” she said, citing Sunday morning sports and other activities that have drawn people away.
“People just aren’t as serious about attending as they once were. But we have a group of people that are there every Sunday, and we keep the church going,” Koeske said.
The friendly and welcoming ambiance attracted Julia Bach, 46, to attend Redeemer Lutheran after her family moved to T.O. from Seattle in 2015.
“This is not a church that is blown about by fads. This is a church that is grounded in the core message of the Bible—that Jesus lived and died to redeem the world—and the Lutheran confessional documents, with the main message being that we are saved by grace, faith and Scripture alone,” Bach said.
“Having that firm foundation is so important to have something to count on as life constantly changes around you and other institutions may let you down,” she said. “It is definitely a place of refuge and healing from the world, as a church should be. Especially in this day and age, where forgiveness isn’t always common.”
Redeemer Lutheran will celebrate its 60th anniversary Sun., Dec. 4 at the church. Members of the public are invited.
Cake will be served for attendees after the congregation’s 8:45 a.m. Sunday service.
To join past and current church members for the festivities, email office@redeemer1000oaks.com.
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