Stewardship 2023
Dear Members and Friends of Good Shepherd,
Welcome Summer 2022! What a difference a year (two years!) makes. Thanks be to God that we have, with God’s help, made it through difficult times. Of course, we still have many things for which to be thankful, as well as obstacles in our daily and congregational life. God is still there in all circumstances, be assured.
Part of our mission and ministry at Good Shepherd is gratitude, or more specifically, “Growing Generosity and Ministries.” Throughout the pandemic, your generosity has enabled us to do just that—to grow our ministries and to keep the regular ones going. We’ve added Alison as full-time assistant priest and a VBS this summer, we’ve grown ELL from one to two nights, we’ve made many repairs and upgrades to buildings and grounds, and our Barn/Outreach efforts bolster local outreach to the tune of $303,000—to name just a few.
That said, this letter about Stewardship for 2023 needs no other introduction and no other real nudge. You all have been so regular and faithful and generous. So to conclude, please return the enclosed financial pledge card (one per household) and the time and talent card (one per person) for 2023 by August 1. Also take a moment to read the reflection on an ‘angel visit’ below from Jim Nutter. His story and the changed hearts therein warm my heart. Lenny Blevins shared this at our vestry retreat, and I hope it’s inspirational for you too.
With gratitude and faith,
Dear Members and Friends of Good Shepherd,
Welcome Summer 2022! What a difference a year (two years!) makes. Thanks be to God that we have, with God’s help, made it through difficult times. Of course, we still have many things for which to be thankful, as well as obstacles in our daily and congregational life. God is still there in all circumstances, be assured.
Part of our mission and ministry at Good Shepherd is gratitude, or more specifically, “Growing Generosity and Ministries.” Throughout the pandemic, your generosity has enabled us to do just that—to grow our ministries and to keep the regular ones going. We’ve added Alison as full-time assistant priest and a VBS this summer, we’ve grown ELL from one to two nights, we’ve made many repairs and upgrades to buildings and grounds, and our Barn/Outreach efforts bolster local outreach to the tune of $303,000—to name just a few.
That said, this letter about Stewardship for 2023 needs no other introduction and no other real nudge. You all have been so regular and faithful and generous. So to conclude, please return the enclosed financial pledge card (one per household) and the time and talent card (one per person) for 2023 by August 1. Also take a moment to read the reflection on an ‘angel visit’ below from Jim Nutter. His story and the changed hearts therein warm my heart. Lenny Blevins shared this at our vestry retreat, and I hope it’s inspirational for you too.
With gratitude and faith,
God’s Messengers and Angels by Jim Nutter
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)
Lisa started showing up at our Sunday soup kitchen with her two kids. Six months later, she started joining us for worship. The community soon adopted her and her children because they needed help. She was unemployed, without family, and the government’s financial assistance didn’t cover her expenses.
One Sunday morning I announced to the congregation that the governing board would be meeting that afternoon to put together next year’s budget. Later that day we were gathered together in my office. After weeks of asking for pledges and pruning our budget, we still had a substantial gap.
As we were sitting there stuck and out of ideas, someone knocked on the door. My office was shaped like an “L,” which meant that I could open the door without the person knowing there was a room full of people just around the corner.
I went to the door, opened it, and there stood Lisa. She said, “Here’s my pledge card. I wish I could do more. I’m so grateful to God. You all have saved my life.” I took her card, thanked her, and returned to the meeting.
Everybody had heard our conversation and they were all very quiet when I sat down. And then one person asked the treasurer to return his pledge card. When he received it, he tore it up. He then asked for another one, while saying, “After what I just heard I know God’s calling me to give more.” Everyone in the room followed suit. In five minutes, we had a surplus.
Today’s scripture tells us to give hospitality to strangers because we never know when one of them could be an angel. Lisa was indeed our “angel” that year.
Angels are messengers. Sometimes they have wings; sometimes they don’t. Although Lisa didn’t have wings, she did have a message—a message of abundance and gratitude and joy. We heard her message. Our hearing it changed us.
God sends his angels sometimes in strangers and sometimes in very surprising people. Today’s scripture encourages us to treat them with hospitality. We just never know when one of them has been sent to deliver the message we most need to hear from God.
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)
Lisa started showing up at our Sunday soup kitchen with her two kids. Six months later, she started joining us for worship. The community soon adopted her and her children because they needed help. She was unemployed, without family, and the government’s financial assistance didn’t cover her expenses.
One Sunday morning I announced to the congregation that the governing board would be meeting that afternoon to put together next year’s budget. Later that day we were gathered together in my office. After weeks of asking for pledges and pruning our budget, we still had a substantial gap.
As we were sitting there stuck and out of ideas, someone knocked on the door. My office was shaped like an “L,” which meant that I could open the door without the person knowing there was a room full of people just around the corner.
I went to the door, opened it, and there stood Lisa. She said, “Here’s my pledge card. I wish I could do more. I’m so grateful to God. You all have saved my life.” I took her card, thanked her, and returned to the meeting.
Everybody had heard our conversation and they were all very quiet when I sat down. And then one person asked the treasurer to return his pledge card. When he received it, he tore it up. He then asked for another one, while saying, “After what I just heard I know God’s calling me to give more.” Everyone in the room followed suit. In five minutes, we had a surplus.
Today’s scripture tells us to give hospitality to strangers because we never know when one of them could be an angel. Lisa was indeed our “angel” that year.
Angels are messengers. Sometimes they have wings; sometimes they don’t. Although Lisa didn’t have wings, she did have a message—a message of abundance and gratitude and joy. We heard her message. Our hearing it changed us.
God sends his angels sometimes in strangers and sometimes in very surprising people. Today’s scripture encourages us to treat them with hospitality. We just never know when one of them has been sent to deliver the message we most need to hear from God.
Pledge of Treasure
With gratitude to God and mindful that Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also," please make your 2022 financial pledge here.
With gratitude to God and mindful that Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also," please make your 2022 financial pledge here.
THANK YOU!!!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!