October 2022

Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them* out of their resources. – Luke 8:1-3

One of my primary responsibilities as your pastor is to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God. We live in a world of 24/7 information, which is usually slanted toward the negative. Each of us faces life circumstances that can benefit from the abundance of "good news" from the Gospel, right?

I don't gravitate toward discussing church finances. At the same time, it is my responsibility as your pastor to keep the congregation informed of the struggle to meet St. Peter's financial obligations & to fill volunteer roles. We hear in Luke’s Gospel that even Jesus Christ wasn’t immune to financial realities. If Jesus, how much more each of us?

We are emerging from a global health disaster, facing the most significant war since WWII in Ukraine, and inflation is squeezing our personal finances. Too many of us are overcommitted, overwhelmed, and overworked. If this is where you are … please take care of yourself and your loved ones, and seek support from the St. Peter's community.

That said, as you review your time commitments and financial resources, please consider investing out of your abundance in your faith community. We need you. Each Sunday, at least 16 volunteers run our current worship, education, and fellowship services. Each Sunday, $4,000 in giving is required to support our local and ELCA church-wide financial commitments.

I invite us - individuals, families, congregation -- to creatively and generously "provide out of our resources" for the St. Peter's church community. Our investment in church goes well beyond the transactional -- we give out of our abundance, and we receive in far greater abundance as individuals and as a community! (Just look at the amazing pavilion your donations built, that's already being utilized by the Education Team, the WELS Program, & more!) What time, talent, or treasure could you invest in your church community?

-Could you shift your financial giving to a “regular subscription”? Sign up for online giving with our Treasurer, Kathy Wolfe, or access our online giving platform at https://onrealm.org/StPetersLutheran/-/form/give/default

-Do you have time (once every 1-2 months) to serve as a worship assistant, teacher, or fellowship hour host?

-What ability, skill, wisdom, or talent might you be able to offer to the community at St. Peter’s?

Thank you for prayerfully and abundantly supporting the ministries and the people of St. Peter's as we strive to Worship, to Learn and to Share the Gospel Together. Peace, Pastor Jim