Emmanuel Lutheran Church

October 2022

If I were asked to describe Emmanuel with one word, I would use the word “generous.” St. Paul writes of the churches of Macedonia “…for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints…”

You have come to know what it is to be good stewards of God’s generosity towards you and it shows in your offerings for the work of the church. Each week before you give your offering, these words are spoken: “In response to the promise of God, let us give thanks through the presentation of our gifts and offerings…Let us gather our gifts together and offer them to God in gratitude and praise.” Indeed, your giving is a response to God’s current blessings and future promise.

Late last spring, I asked for a free-will offering to help a homeless family. You responded with just over $1,000 dollars! That money has gone to help them keep their only car, to secure a trailer so they could live in a campground until a rental house was found, and will continue to assist them as they settle into a home God has provided for them just a few weeks ago.

Parish Ed asked for donations for Rally Sunday to put together shoe boxes full of gifts for Operation Christmas Child. We expected enough items to pack ten shoe boxes. We ended up with enough to pack thirty! The joy of fellowship in putting those boxes together was shared with nearly forty people of every age. What a blessing you are!

The Salem PD told us in an interview conducted as a result of the Dandelion Project, of their need for $10 McDonald’s gift cards to provide meals to those in need. I asked and you provided. I joyfully presented them with $150 worth! As this is an on-going need for them, we will continue this special collection on an on-going basis. Just put a $10 McDonald’s gift card in the offering plate and I’ll get it to them.

Our faith giving towards the many charitable organizations Emmanuel gives to as a part of our tithe of your offerings (our benevolence) is currently right on expected giving, and this extra giving on your part has not had a negative impact on regular giving.

This is the collective effort of everyone. Some give according to their means and some give beyond for the privilege of sharing in our ministry to the saints.

Thanks be to God for overflowing with a wealth of generosity! The work of the Lord can’t be done without it! Let us continue to be good stewards of all that God has given us.

Pastor Alan