1701 L STREET | SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA | 95811
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www.stjohnslc.org | 916.444.0874
“This poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” - Mark 12:43-44 -
November 9, 2015
What does the above passage from St. Mark mean to you? To me, it means that the widow gave because it was central to her relationship with God. I give not because the church needs it, even though I am well aware that the church does need it. I give because I need to grow in my stewardship and my discipleship. The widow’s giving demonstrates an absolute trust that God will provide. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all have this type of faith? I know I am still striving to get there. It has been quite a year for St. John’s Lutheran Church! So many wonderful events have happened, particularly the addition of Pastor Jon to our pastoral staff and Rachel Marie Paquin as Communications Specialist. We also have Jayla Wingard working as Administrative Assistant for Outreach/Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Jason Pettit as our Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator and Ryan Eikenbary as Interim Director of Resources and Administration. Our congregation continues to grow as many prospective members attend the Luminaria classes, and our Sunday School is flourishing. We support programs for the needy in our community such as Family Promise, Saint John’s Program for Real Change and Safe Ground. I am truly thankful for what we are doing here, and I know that you are too. We are a congregation that “Lives God’s Love in the World.” The season of Thanksgiving is upon us, and it is time to gather together to consider what our commitment to the mission of St. John’s Lutheran Church will be for the 2016 calendar year. During the month of November you will hear sermons from Pastors Frank, Pastor Leslie and Pastor Jon about stewardship. Together with the Stewardship Committee, I ask you to consider your commitment to St. John’s for 2016. If you are already a faithful steward and pledge each year, please consider increasing your pledge. Even a small change makes a big difference. If you have never given before, or if it has been a while, prayerfully consider beginning the spiritual practice of generous, consistent and disciplined giving. My father always told me, “When we give to God, we are just taking our hands off what already belongs to him.” Enclosed you will find a FAQ sheet about Stewardship at St. John’s and how you can support our church. You will also find a 2016 Pledge Card. Commitment Sunday is November 22, and we ask that you bring your pledge cards back this day. We always have big plans for the future, and Pastor Frank has outlined for you the challenges we face in 2016. In closing, I ask you two questions. One question is easy and the other hard. The first question is “Why was the widow so generous?” And now, the second one: “What would it take for you and me to be like the widow?” That question is not easy at all. On behalf of the Stewardship Committee, thank you for your past faithful support of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Blessings, Nancy Bukowski STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE: Nancy Bukowski (chair), Pastor Frank Espegren, Jay Abbott, Spence Gedestad, Catherine Guess, Bernice Jurach, Joel Kimmelshue, Larry Stenzel
STEWARDSHIP 2016