On Sunday, November 24th, every member of Faith Lutheran will be offered an opportunity to give serious consideration to the blessings that God, especially through our Lord Jesus, has given and shown us. The Stewardship Committee is sponsoring a Harvest Potluck after the 9:30 a.m. service when we can celebrate those blessings. Additionally, you are invited to participate in a thank offering. “What is that?” you say? I’m so glad you asked.
In the sacrificial practice of ancient Israel a thank-offering gave the people an opportunity to reflect upon the blessings that God had given them over the year. The practice was not exclusively a part of the harvest but that was a traditional time for it to take place. Thank-offerings were completely separated from those sacrifices meant to address the problem of guilt and sin, marks of separation from God and from other people. Thank-offerings were, are, a means of taking a concrete action expressing thanks to God for what has already been bestowed.
Today’s world rarely provides such an opportunity. We are bombarded with words that appeal to our fears implying that we do not have enough, that we have the wrong thing or that it will be taken from us. We constantly hear or are taught that we deserve, that we are owed, that we should have _________. What’s in the blank?
Newer cars, nicer clothes, a vacation, smoother skin, a fatter wallet, more fun, a more exciting life, a better looking body and on and on. “And why not?”, goes the reasoning. “After all, we have it coming since we earned it.” Such a perspective never, ever, allows us, let alone encourages us, to take a moment to express thanks for that which we have been given. Instead it encourages us to see life, or a certain kind of life, as a right, not a privilege.
I am hoping that between the time you receive this letter and Sunday, November 24 we take a moment , that we make a moment to consider the many blessings our Lord has showered upon us. Perhaps on the first day, say Sunday, November17, we might reflect upon the gift of life that God has given us. Monday we use to celebrate the families of which we are a part. This family might be the one we were born into or the one God has provided by those who surround us and love us but are not related by blood. On Tuesday we look at the incredible place in which we live, surrounded by mountains and valleys and living oh, so close to that gem, Lake Tahoe. On Wednesday we celebrate the access to nutritious and abundant food of all kinds. Thursday might be used to recognize we have the shelter we need for warmth and comfort. Friday might be spent reflecting upon the health care that under most circumstances is available for us and our loved ones and which is absent in so much of the world. On Saturday, as we prepare for worship the next day, we might do well to reflect upon the opening statement of our confession, “that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves”. What we hear in the words of absolution, the declaration that in Christ Jesus our sins are forgiven, is a renewed word of life given by God. Not just biological life but life lived fully.
Echoing a prayer used at the offertory, we have “what (God has) first given us–our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of (God’s) gracious love.” Aware of these gifts, is it not possible to respond to such generosity?
Attached to this letter is a form I invite you to fill out as you will. It is an indication of how you might financially support Faith Lutheran Church. Is that the only way you might respond? Of course not. But, I do believe that supporting the congregation this way is one way of responding. All the gifts we receive support the ministry of Faith Lutheran and we are good stewards of those gifts. The slips of paper will be gathered up near the end of the service on November 24.
Trusting that the weather is favorable, we will take the gathered slips and burn them during a brief rite at the entry to the church. The information you put on the slips will not be seen by anybody; not the pastor, not the financial committee, not the stewardship committee. This is not about the budget. This is your thank-offering to the Lord of life and love.
The peace of the Lord be with you
always,
Stan
In the sacrificial practice of ancient Israel a thank-offering gave the people an opportunity to reflect upon the blessings that God had given them over the year. The practice was not exclusively a part of the harvest but that was a traditional time for it to take place. Thank-offerings were completely separated from those sacrifices meant to address the problem of guilt and sin, marks of separation from God and from other people. Thank-offerings were, are, a means of taking a concrete action expressing thanks to God for what has already been bestowed.
Today’s world rarely provides such an opportunity. We are bombarded with words that appeal to our fears implying that we do not have enough, that we have the wrong thing or that it will be taken from us. We constantly hear or are taught that we deserve, that we are owed, that we should have _________. What’s in the blank?
Newer cars, nicer clothes, a vacation, smoother skin, a fatter wallet, more fun, a more exciting life, a better looking body and on and on. “And why not?”, goes the reasoning. “After all, we have it coming since we earned it.” Such a perspective never, ever, allows us, let alone encourages us, to take a moment to express thanks for that which we have been given. Instead it encourages us to see life, or a certain kind of life, as a right, not a privilege.
I am hoping that between the time you receive this letter and Sunday, November 24 we take a moment , that we make a moment to consider the many blessings our Lord has showered upon us. Perhaps on the first day, say Sunday, November17, we might reflect upon the gift of life that God has given us. Monday we use to celebrate the families of which we are a part. This family might be the one we were born into or the one God has provided by those who surround us and love us but are not related by blood. On Tuesday we look at the incredible place in which we live, surrounded by mountains and valleys and living oh, so close to that gem, Lake Tahoe. On Wednesday we celebrate the access to nutritious and abundant food of all kinds. Thursday might be used to recognize we have the shelter we need for warmth and comfort. Friday might be spent reflecting upon the health care that under most circumstances is available for us and our loved ones and which is absent in so much of the world. On Saturday, as we prepare for worship the next day, we might do well to reflect upon the opening statement of our confession, “that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves”. What we hear in the words of absolution, the declaration that in Christ Jesus our sins are forgiven, is a renewed word of life given by God. Not just biological life but life lived fully.
Echoing a prayer used at the offertory, we have “what (God has) first given us–our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of (God’s) gracious love.” Aware of these gifts, is it not possible to respond to such generosity?
Attached to this letter is a form I invite you to fill out as you will. It is an indication of how you might financially support Faith Lutheran Church. Is that the only way you might respond? Of course not. But, I do believe that supporting the congregation this way is one way of responding. All the gifts we receive support the ministry of Faith Lutheran and we are good stewards of those gifts. The slips of paper will be gathered up near the end of the service on November 24.
Trusting that the weather is favorable, we will take the gathered slips and burn them during a brief rite at the entry to the church. The information you put on the slips will not be seen by anybody; not the pastor, not the financial committee, not the stewardship committee. This is not about the budget. This is your thank-offering to the Lord of life and love.
The peace of the Lord be with you
always,
Stan