September 6, 2024
Dear Beloved in Christ,
As we reflect on the past year, we are reminded of the abundant blessings God has bestowed upon our congregation. The Bible tells us, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9: 7-8 (NRSV). This verse captures the essence of our stewardship theme: abundance.
In the spirit of abundance and faith, we also remember the prayerful challenge*: “O God, your Son challenged us to ‘feed them.’ Help us to meet that challenge with our five loaves and two fish. Empower us to be faithful to risk being in mission for your church, and to anticipate your generous provision. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” This prayer calls us to trust in God’s provision and to act boldly in service to His mission.
This year has been a time of change for our community. Through these transitions, our faith has remained strong, and our commitment to each other has grown deeper. As we look to the future, we see our building serving as a community center addressing the needs of children and youth. We see our outreach to the community growing more every year. We see our worship services filled with diverse music, faithful preaching, and led by the Holy Spirit. We see a commitment to intergenerational relationships, commitment to our baptismal promises, and a desire to grow in our personal and communal faith daily. We see fellowship groups, service groups and prayer groups forming and re-engaging. These are exciting times, and we are so glad you are here.
As we embark on our 2025 Stewardship Campaign, we invite you to reflect on the abundance in your own life and consider how you can contribute to the ongoing work of our church. Your support empowers us to continue our mission of service, worship, and fellowship, ensuring that we remain a beacon of hope and love in our community. We believe, with the apostle Paul, that there is a power at work within us, as God’s people, to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine. We take God at God’s word and we give thanks for you.