LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church of Loudonville, New York, to be celebrated on
May 1, 2011

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
50th Anniversary of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Loudonville, New
York, to be observed on Sunday, May 1, 2011, with worship services at 8
and 10:30am and a celebration at the Italian American Community Center,
Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, In August of 1960, in response to a community in need of
spiritual fellowship, the Board of American Missions of the Lutheran
Church in America, a predecessor of the ELCA, sponsored a mission devel-
oper to undertake a door-to-door religious survey within the Loudonville
area; and
WHEREAS, As a result of the interest shown by the residents of the
community, an initial worship service was held on October 9, 1960, at
the American Legion Hall on Osborne Road; the commencement of a Sunday
School program followed a few weeks later; and
WHEREAS, With a growing membership, the charter of Good Shepherd Luth-
eran Church was opened to interested members on December 12, 1960; a
congregational meeting for the incorporation of the church was held on
April 14, 1961; and
WHEREAS, Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church was officially
organized on April 16, 1961, boasting a strong membership of 113 adults
and 62 youths; and
WHEREAS, Due to the steady increase of its membership, Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church began meeting at the Community Hall, remaining there
until the first church building was constructed in 1965 at its current
site on Albany Shaker Road; and
WHEREAS, By 1986, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church had outgrown its
current building and realized it was time to expand in order to accommo-
date the growth of its loyal membership; two years later, a new sanctu-
ary and entry were built in addition to extensive renovations made to
the original building; and
WHEREAS, Today, the expansions have enabled the Good Shepherd Lutheran
Church family to better serve both its congregation and its community by
offering various programs such as The Cocoa House, a unique social expe-
rience for young children to enjoy a movie, creative play and, of
course, hot cocoa; Faith Matters, provocative and lively adult
discussions exploring the importance of faith in our daily lives; the
Heart Pillow Project for area hospital heart patients; the Orphan Grain
Train which helps to sort and pack clothing and medical supplies for
needy people in Haiti, Russia and Central America; and the International
Village of Hope (TIVOH), which runs schools and an orphanage in Haiti;
and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Pastor John A. Knarvik, Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared
to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining that spir-
itual resolve which characterizes its past; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church,
Loudonville, New York, to be observed on Sunday, May 1, 2011, fully
confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in those values
which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Pastor John A. Knarvik, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 510
Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville, New York 12211.