November Pastor’s Pen

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God’s beloved people,

Thank God First! What do these words mean to you? Simply, when it comes to Stewardship, indeed a Stewardship of life, we Thank God First for the gifts of grace and steadfast love God bestows up us in Jesus Christ. One way we Thank God First is through making a Faith Commitment to the mission and ministry of First Lutheran Church.

Several years ago I started using the term Faith Commitment instead of the term “pledge” when it came to making a financial commitment to my congregation. Faith Commitment, I believe, better describes our love, care and dedication to God’s mission and ministry in the world through First Lutheran Church. It is a way of saying “Thank You” to God for the very essence of life and breath.

In the coming days you will receive a Faith Commitment Card.

It not only helps First Lutheran’s financial team estimate the amount of contributions for the upcoming year and plan a budget, but it also helps them to fulfill the congregation’s mission to serve Christ and our neighbors. By filling out a Faith Commitment Card it gives all of us a reminder that our tithes and offerings are working to share the love of God with others as well as assuring that First Lutheran is open to the needs of the community. Making a Faith Commitment says that through our tithes and offerings to God we are committed to this community of faith.

Thank God First. What do these words mean to you? In a Facebook post I made a couple of weeks ago following our new member dinner gathering, I mentioned how proud I was of First Lutheran for all of our local and global ministry projects. I continue to give thanks to God for being your pastor and thank you for your past Faith Commitments to First Lutheran. Thank God First. This congregation continues to grow because of our generosity to others…the same generosity we have been given in God’s gift of Jesus Christ.

Blessings and Peace,

Pastor Steve