FROM THE PASTOR

Stewardship Update

1. Giving from the Heart: A Stewardship Update  Our deficit is now over $50k.  This year is trending like last year when we needed a heroic year-end offering to erase the deficit.  Let us remember that our Giving from the Heart campaign was not only about a year-end offering, but also about our steady weekly support of the ministry of Christ’s church.  Let us be accountable to each other, and to God the Giver of all good gifts.
2. I had a conversation this morning with Amanda White, who has taken the place of Pastor Robin Brown in representing the ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Response.  She called me because we are among the top contributors to these ministries.  She wanted to thank us for our steady faithfulness in our support.  We are planning together a visit she will make to tell stories of our church in mission and highlight the many ways in which our church is making a difference in the lives of people living in poverty, hunger, disaster, vulnerability.

Our Card Ministry shares with the ELCA World Hunger Appeal every penny they make on selling the cards.  Last year that was over $3500.

The monthly Tuesday Men’s Breakfast invites many people from many walks of life and ministries to share their stories.  This past month we heard from Devin Walker about The Night Ministry which shares food, shelter and hope with the many homeless people in Chicago.  Devin sent us a note of thanks: “I thoroughly enjoyed the engaging conversation….”

When we support the ministry of St. Luke’s we make so many things happen to share God’s love in the world.  We are better together.

Pastor Stephen Paul Bouman 

A Message from Our Stewardship Team: Everything was created by God

From time to time our Stewardship Team will share some of the biblical and faith foundations which encourage a life of generosity and gratitude. In this blog we lift up the link between creation and stewardship:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth.  (Apostle’s Creed)

Before the creation, there was nothing. Then God created everything. So, all that we see, touch, and feel—as well as things beyond our natural senses—are gifts of God.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

Understanding that God created our world is foundational to understanding Biblical stewardship because it provides meaning behind everything around us. Because all of creation belongs to the Creator, only God decides who will oversee what God has made. There was a purpose behind God’s creation of the world, and part of God’s plan involves us being faithful to manage what we have been given.