Pastor’s Letter for Gleanings November 2007
October 25th, 2007 Posted in NewsGleanings November 2007
Preparing for
Faithful Stewardship
Beginning Sunday November 11, 2007, our church will be involved in a stewardship education series called “Preparing for Faithful Stewardship.” We will emphasize stewardship as a lifestyle which goes beyond just giving money. Jesus did not say, “Go collect money.” He said, “Go and makes disciples of all nations.” This command encompasses all of life. We seek to be faithful to His commission, giving our whole lives of service to Him. We give ourselves for the work of the Church and the physical and spiritual welfare of others.
As a Christian called by Christ to be salt and light in this world, you have a great responsibility. We are stewards of all God has given us, and we will be called to give an account of our stewardship.
The following is a calendar overview of the themes for this four-week emphasis:
November 11, 2007 – Preparation of the Mind: The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” With renewed minds, we can do God’s will as His stewards.
November 18, 2007 – Preparation of the Heart: “We love because He first loved us,” wrote the Apostle John (1 John 4:19). Love that comes from our Father fills our hearts so that we can respond to others with Christ’s love.
December 2, 2007 – Preparation for Response: We are owners of nothing but stewards of all the gifts God gives us to use for His glory. Acknowledging God’s ownership prepares us to respond by acts of stewardship that please Him. Then we will hear his commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
December 9, 2007 – Preparation for Action: God doesn’t just say He loves us, He shows us. In His greatest act of love, He gave His own dearly loved Son to suffer and die and rise again for our salvation. We who are recipients of such great love have certainly been given much, and Jesus said, “From every one who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). Called by grace out of darkness we are now free to be obedient to the command of Christ to put our love into action.
Please don’t miss a single Sunday in Church. Also you are invited to join us for Bible study each Sunday morning which will also center on these themes. May God grant us the grace and desire to grow in response to His rich supply.
Please bring the commitment form found in this issue of the Gleanings to church on Commitment Sunday, December 9, 2007, or return it to the church office at your convenience.
As a church, we are blessed with the capacity to touch lives, to follow our Lord’s example, and to make a difference in His name. How thankful we can be for God’s continuing love for us and our church family here at Grace Lutheran Church.
May God’s blessing shine through us as we begin “Preparing for Faithful Stewardship.”
See you in Church!
Serving Christ together,
Pastor Gaertner
