By the Rev. Roger R. Skatrud
The primary focus of the church centers on the Gospel. The work of the congregation must grow out of this focus. The structure of the congregation is helpful only as it facilitates mission and ministry. If we take away our focus, the church has no compelling reason for existence.
By the Rev. Peter W. Marty
Resourcefulness is one of the touchstones for achieving greatness. Sometimes in life we must do what it takes to adjust to adverse conditions. We discover what really works when the chips are down. We turn to a new way when expected things fail us. Beautiful signs of greatness often emerge as we come face-to-face with overwhelming odds, and find ways to cope or overcome.
By the Rev. Kurt Wandrey
Through mutual encouragement and support, the congregation is strengthened and united to better serve the people around us. As people respond to God’s grace, they discover even more gifts they can use in the Lord’s service. They also see that God is blessing them more than they ever before realized.
By the Rev. Dr. Ron Lavin
The biblical corrective for mediocrity is joyful generosity. Stewardship Sunday is challenge to stop having a Lutheran Lite faith, rise above mediocrity, and get involved as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rise above mediocrity, greed, selfishness, and fear.
By the Rev. L. Douglas Stowe
When you sit back and think about it, all of us are managers. We spend our days making decisions about how we will use our abilities, time, and our resources. Of course, many of our decisions are framed in ways that can limit the scope of our choices. To see reality and to make decisions that are in harmony with God’s will for our lives is not a natural reaction to life’s situations.
By the Rev. David Conrad
Thanks is the most wonderful Christian reason for giving throughout the New Testament. For some, thanks is an automatic response to having received something. But when considering all the gifts God gives us, such as grace, forgiveness, love, hope and eternal life, is there any greater response than thanks?
By Duane Engelhardt
I believe that the church can be a relevant force in the life of our members by proclaiming a significantly broader interpretation of stewardship. This interpretation can be a meaningful model to vitalize the lives of our members and to grow in our faith. We are called to be good stewards of the Gospel and to proclaim the risen Christ.
By The Rev. Roy Roderick
Although followers of Christ are not to expect thanks for sharing the Good News entrusted to them, this does not mean that no gratitude is necessary in religion. For faith, ingratitude is a tragedy. As King Lear said in the day of his own tragedy, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.” So many never even give to God a grace before a meal, but feel compelled to offer a tip to the server afterwards.
By the Rev. Kristi Beebe
Sermon on Luke 12:32-40: “God will lead us into new and exciting adventures filled with spiritual treasures.”
In our lives we want to desperately hold on to what we have — people, relationships, material possessions, power, prestige, and even money. And we don’t want anyone else to tell us what to do with any of them.
By Ronald Keener
The visible church is the church best known week by week. For some the visible church may be only the Sunday morning worship. For another, it may be church school because we have children, and morning worship. Another person may be involved in WELCA or a small group, and that is the church that is best known and visible to them. Then there is the invisible church, the many other programs that are available, but may not directly touch our own lives.
