From The Pastors’ PenPastor Henry SchulteI can remember when “summer” included June, July and August. Now it seems that school has hardly ended when pre-school activities are set to begin with band camp, band practice, football practice and then school starts on August 23, 2010. Where did the summer go? Here at St. John the summer has brought some welcome relief as pastors and staff took vacation and some evening activities were not scheduled for the summer. BUT NOW!
We are gearing up for a GREAT start for the fall. The Children’s, Youth and Adult Ministries Directors are getting plans together for a fast start. The Stewardship Committee is finalizing their plans for The Ministry Fair on August 22nd, inviting all confirmed members to make their plans for SERVING through the congregation. This year the Stewardship Committee is developing a “Plans For Serving” sheet, asking people to make their plans for serving. Then on Rally Day, September 12th, we will ask the congregation members to fill out their “Plans For Participating” sheets. The reason for this is that we want to focus in these two areas of our lives as stewards. Much of the serving is done in continuing ministries like assistants to worship, education and leadership. The “Plans for Participating” will emphasize activities like participating in Friends ‘n Faith Groups, Bible Studies, Mission Outreach projects like Habitat, Feeding the Hungry, Mission Trips, etc. Our congregation members will develop their “Plans For Giving” for 2011 and present them to the Lord and His Church on November 21st at a special Consecration Sunday Altar as the believers develop their plans for giving based upon their thankfulness for the blessings received. Whether we know it or not, all of us are “Percentage Givers”. The only problem is that some of us do not know what percentage of our income we return the Lord while others do know, having figured it out. The Plans For Giving service helps each person/family to estimate their income for the coming year and then plan the percentage of their income that will be given to God through God’s church. The Stewardship mailings will come to your home on a schedule. Right now, as we think about the coming year, both school year and calendar year, I encourage you to be thinking about what you would do for God in terms of service, participation and giving for the coming year. We love because God first loved us. We serve because when God showed us what God looked like we saw the Humble Servant and we follow in His steps, and we give to God as a joyful response to His Grace and as an investment in the Kingdom to build up the Church, the New Body of Christ on Earth. Enjoy the rest of the summer and let’s get ready for an exiting start to a new program year and a new calendar year. God bless you and your ministry. |
