Grace Lutheran Church

Pastor’s December Gleanings Article

Faithful Stewardship

On November 11 our church began a stewardship education series titled, “Preparing for Faithful Stewardship.” I desire that everyone in our congregation seek to be faithful to Jesus Christ.

So how do we become faithful stewards who respond willingly and joyfully to God’s love, goodness and mercy? Jesus will prepare you to be faithful. St Paul wrote in Galatians, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Look at yourself and your surroundings and discover how God desires to work through you. We give ourselves for the work of the Church and the physical and spiritual welfare of others because Christ gave himself first for us.

December 9, 2007 our stewardship series will end with the theme “Preparation for Action.” God doesn’t just say He loves us, He shows us. God enables you to love Him with all your heart and soul and strength. By the power of God you are able to love your neighbor as yourself.

On this Sunday of action we all will repent of holding back from God our first fruits and giving him instead the leftovers. We will hear that our savior forgives us and by the power of this forgiveness we will act. I challenge you for this next year to act faithfully by examining your life and discovering how you can give of your first fruits instead of leftovers.

Support the ministry of Grace Lutheran Church so that we can continue to share God’s grace in this community. On December 9th bring your Commitment Form to church. As you fill out the form consider increasing the percentage of your income that you give as an offering to the Lord. Have faith that as you put your plans in the hands of the Lord you will succeed.

Budget Proposal

I ask that you please study the budget proposed by the Church Council that will be considered at the Voters’ Meeting on December 16. Difficult decisions have been made in order to bring our spending more aligned with our offerings. The council has proposed reducing the hours of the secretary and custodian and also suspending the Saturday night worship service. A budget sheet that is filled with columns and rows may appear to be just a bunch of numbers, but consider how best Grace can fulfill our mission of “Sharing God’s Grace: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”

Advent and Christmas

How does a dinner where you do not need to cook sound to you? Consider joining your brothers and sisters in Christ for a Simple Supper at 6pm on December 5, 12, and 19, and then stay for a service of Evening Prayer. This year our Advent Midweek services will look at the dreams that people have had surrounding the birth of Jesus.

Advent and Christmas worship services are a wonderful time to invite family and friends to worship the Lord God our Savior.

There are many traditions that are followed in families during the holidays. Remember to make attending worship the most important tradition that you share with your family. It is not too late to begin anew the tradition of gathering around Christmastime with your brothers and sisters in Christ to hear the good news that our savior has been born.

Advent Midweek
Simple Supper at 6pm and Evening Prayer at 7pm
December 5, 12, 19

Children’s Christmas Program
December 23 at 10:30am

Christmas Eve
December 24
5pm Family Worship
11pm Lessons and Carols

Christmas Day
December 25
10:30am Divine Service

See you in Church!