Giving to God-- The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life!

Dear Friends in Christ:

I am very excited about a special Sunday sermon series that Pastor Lynnae and I will be giving September 6th — October 10th! It will be based on a wonderful new book by Lutheran Pastor Mark Allan Powell, a Texan by birth. Dr. Powell is a Bible scholar and theologian widely recognized for his work in Spiritual formation and congregational ministries. He is a Professor of New Testament Studies at our Trinity Lutheran Seminary (my alma mater) in Columbus, Ohio.

What can you expect from this sermon series?

We all know that everything we have is a gift from God. But sometimes it’s hard to know just how to give back to God. How much is enough? What does the Bible really say? What should giving look like in our everyday lives? Filled with good news for followers of Jesus, Mark Allan Powell’s Giving to God shows Christians the way to a better life and a better relationship with their money — and with God.

Powell presents stewardship as an act of worship, an expression of faith, and a discipline for spiritual growth. Faithful use of our time, talents, and money starts with a deep, satisfying relationship with the God to whom we belong. “We can then learn,” says Powell, “to give gladly and generously out of our heartfelt connection with God.” Giving to God gives us resources for best using the treasures, material and otherwise, that God has given us. **

Let’s make a covenant together to make this opportunity a priority!

— Pastor David Fetter

** Information taken from Giving to God book cover.

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From This Pastor's Heart

Dear Friends in Christ:

Thank you for blessing me with the surprise “65th Happy Birthday” recognition this past Sunday—the kind words, the cakes, balloon, cards, and other loving decorations and refreshments! I don’t have to look very far to count my blessings in being a member with you in this church family, our church home! It’s ALL about love—God’s love for us, our love for God, and our love for others.

—Pastor David Fetter

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Our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will meet in church-wide Assembly August 17-23, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. May we be united in prayer:

“O God, direct the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by the light of your Spirit, as this church prepares to gather in assembly, that we might have a right judgement in all things and rejoice at all times in your peace.

Inspire the celebration of your varied works throughout the church. Instill your peace in the midst of anxious deliberations. Shape the work of this church according to your will so that we might use our hands to do your work in the world.

God of mercy, hear our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.”
From the ELCA NEWS SERVICE: “As many as 2,000 people -- 1,045 voting members elected by ELCA synods, plus staff and visitors -- will participate in the ELCA's 11th biennial assembly.
The assembly theme is "God's work. Our hands." Bible study and prayer are planned, as is daily worship, which will take place at the convention center and nearby Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis.
Bible studies will be based on the Book of Faith Initiative, endorsed by the 2007 Churchwide Assembly. The initiative is intended to help ELCA members increase their biblical literacy.
The church-wide assembly is the ELCA's highest legislative authority and represents the 4.7 million members of the ELCA across the United States and Caribbean. The ELCA, the nation's largest Lutheran denomination, is organized into 65 synods, each headed by a bishop.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, in his eighth year as ELCA presiding bishop, will chair the assembly. Hanson is also president of the 68.5-million member Lutheran World Federation (LWF), based in Geneva, Switzerland. Assisting Hanson during plenary will be David D. Swartling, ELCA secretary, and Carlos Peña, ELCA vice president, Galveston, Texas. The assembly will elect a vice president to a six-year term, and Peña previously announced he will be available for re-election.
Each of the ELCA's 10,448 congregations may send one representative to the assembly as an official "congregational observer."
In addition to the election for vice president, the assembly will act on:
+ a proposal for full communion between the ELCA and the United Methodist Church, adopted by the UMC General Conference in 2008
+ a proposed social statement, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust," requested by the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
+ a "Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies" requested by the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
+ a fundraising proposal for a churchwide HIV and AIDS strategy
+ a proposal for further development of a "Lutheran Malaria Initiative" (LMI) with Lutheran World Relief, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and the United Nations Foundation (UNF).
Peter Mayer, an ELCA member and lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffet's Coral Reefer Band, will play a benefit concert for the HIV and AIDS strategy, and the LMI.
The assembly will elect members to various committees, boards and the ELCA Church Council, the church's board of directors and interim legislative authority between assemblies. Voting members will act on budget proposals for 2010 and 2011, memorials from synods, resolutions from voting members, and constitutional and bylaw changes. Churchwide officers and staff will report to the assembly. Representatives of ecumenical partner organizations will address the voting members.
Significant funding for the assembly is provided by the churchwide organization with some financial support from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society based in Minneapolis.
Preceding the assembly is a three-day conference, "Book of Faith Jubilee," based on the Book of Faith Initiative. Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., one of eight ELCA seminaries, will host the event.
The ELCA Conference of Bishops and Church Council will meet separately and together Aug. 16-17.
During the assembly, gatherings are planned for youth, young adult voting members and for young professional church leaders. There will also be a young adult networking event.
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Information and the proposed schedule for the 2009 ELCA Church-wide Assembly and proposals to be considered are at http://www.ELCA.org/assembly on the ELCA Web site. For more information contact:
news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/assembly/multimedia, and
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog”