Sharing Abundantly in Every Good Work
September, 2022
Dear Friends in Christ,
One year. It’s hard for me to believe that it has already been a whole year since I joined First Lutheran as your Lead Pastor! I give thanks to God for each one of you and for the ministry that we share together.
There are a couple of things that have become very apparent to me about First Lutheran over the past year. Well, more than a couple of things! But here, I want to focus on these two:
- We are a church that abundantly proclaims God’s amazing grace. People find a faith home here where that grace meets them. Some have experienced it for a long time and others are encountering it for the first time. But, God’s grace always transforms lives.
- We are a church where we develop spiritual leaders. We raise up and empower disciples and leaders who extend that grace of God to others through many avenues and ministries of caring, learning and serving.
God has given this ministry to us and the community of Lincoln. But, we have also been given this church to care for it, steward it and nurture it. God provides for this ministry through you.
We recently launched our annual stewardship focus. During the coming weeks you will be invited to prayerfully consider what you will give to the ministries of First Lutheran in 2023. During this stewardship focus, we will ground ourselves in words from the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:8-12:
8And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9As it is written,
“He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.
In 2023, we will continue to steward all of the wonderful ministries of First Lutheran. However, it is no secret that our life through the pandemic and much staff transition has been challenging. As your Lead Pastor, my hope is that we can be back to full-strength with our staffing in order to support all of the ministry of First Lutheran and to enhance, expand and renew ministries.
Please complete your online pledge card for 2023 and discipleship plan by clicking on the links to the right. If you need a discipleship plan or pledge card mailed to you, please contact Cyndi in the church office.
Thank you for your partnership in the Good News of Jesus Christ!
In God’s Grace and Peace,
Lead Pastor Erin Heidelberger
