With the completion of taping on May 19, 2005, Sacramento Lutheran Television (www.SLTV.org) has completed a total of 53 episodes (two complete seasons) of Lutherans ALIVE!, its weekly talk/variety series for local cable television, seen Saturday nights at 8 PM on RCCTV Sacramento Comcast channel 19. The show features host Dixie Schneider and co-host Gary Olson, both of Advent Lutheran Church in Citrus Heights, and musical director Jim "Fingerz" Jordan of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Carmichael. Behind the scenes are executive producers Roger Linder (Calvary Lutheran, Rio Linda) and Diane Lowe (Lutheran Church of the Master, Sacramento.) The final three shows of the season are scheduled for broadcast on May 28, June 4 and June 11. Summer reruns will follow until the show returns for its third season in September.

Funding to allow a third season has been graciously awarded in a grant from the Lutheran Development Society of Sacramento, which formalizes the award on Tuesday, May 24, in a presentation at St. John Lutheran Church, Sacramento. Along with other funding sources, SLTV expects to be able to tape another 13 episodes, beginning in August. Plans for a complete season are pending other gifts, which primarily have come from local Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations, individuals and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in the past. SLTV welcomes tax-deductible donations in support of their ministry.

With season three, SLTV is partnering with several Sacramento-area Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations, in addition to its current base of ELCA congregations, to bring additional interesting guests and ministries to the show's viewers. Season two topics already have included some pan-Lutheran ministries including Lutheran Social Services, Mount Cross Bible Camp and Thrivent. In addition, Lutherans ALIVE! will be venturing outside the studio, seeking out the "stories in the pews" that make for interesting topics. Recommendations for show guests and topics are always welcome.

SLTV is also providing some of its programming via streaming video and audio though its web site. It is hoped to make both complete seasons available as time and resources permit, and to develop exclusive web-only content as well. Programming would be available to anyone with a high speed Internet connection, allowing exposure to a potentially worldwide viewing audience. In addition, SLTV will continue to make available VHS tapes of individual show to interested parties.

SLTV is proud to provide its unique ministry to the Sacramento area, and excited to be able to expand to a broader audience. Contact SLTV with show ideas, tape requests or other questions via e-mail at TV@SLTV.org.