Outdoor Worship Canceled

Having just welcomed my first child, I’ve been reflecting on the values and lessons I’d like to pass on to the next generation.  As I  began planning this year’s stewardship season, I wondered exactly when, where, and how I formed my understanding of money and how it relates to my growth as a disciple.  In short, what’s my money story?

We all have a money story whether we realize it or not.  Perhaps we are living a story of fear or shame.  Or a story that the church is dying and no longer relevant.  Or a story that our actions don’t have an impact.  Or a story that we don’t have enough.

This stewardship season we will ask the question, where might God be speaking a new narrative into the limited ones that we may have told ourselves?  How might we transform our stewardship practices into more full expressions of who we are and what we believe?

I understand that this stewardship theme might seem direct —  it doesn’t skirt around the topic.  Speaking directly about money often invites tension into a conversation.  We so quickly want to avoid it and redirect toward any other subject.  But it’s time we reframe this.  Money and possessions are one of the most common topics in scripture.  In fact, Jesus talked about money as much as he talked about faith and prayer.  Our money story, therefore, is a spiritual story.  My hope is that thinking about God’s money story can be liberating, inviting, and transforming.

This stewardship season, October 18 – November 15, we invite you to remember, release, reimagine, and restore your money story so that we can write the one God is inviting us to live.

We invite you to explore the topic of our money story in a few different ways:

Personal Reflection:  We will widely distribute, both through the mail and electronically, the Our Money Story: Stewardship Study Journal.  Through Scripture, poetry, art, and writing prompts, this journal will guide you into personal reflection and growth.

Bible Study and Small Groups:  Wednesday evenings, October 21 & 28 and November 4 & 11) from 8:00 – 9:00 pm via Zoom all are invited to a special prayer service using art and scripture, as well as small group reflection on the Study Journal mentioned previously.

Faith Promise Weekend:  Celebrate with us on the weekend of November 14 & 15 by sending in your pledge card and indicating how you plan to serve God’s community at Salem Lutheran Church.

Salem Lutheran Church, even during this time of pandemic, is growing and planning for the future.  Thanks be to God! Our money story is one part of the larger narrative of our faith journey.  Although we may not be able to gather in-person, my hope is that this different approach to our stewardship season can be an opportunity for personal growth as together we begin to set the foundation for the next 150 years of ministry in Sycamore.
 
Pastor Preston
         
Midweek Bible Study 
Wednesday evenings October 21 & 28 and November 4 & 11 from 8:00 – 9:00 pm via Zoom. All are invited to a special prayer service using art and scripture, as well as small group reflection.   
 
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87978858659
Call In:   +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 879 7885 8659

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