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 First,
We Five of Ourselves
Gratitude Tree
As we come to the conclusion of, “Giving in Gratitude”,
the second of the three year Stewardship Plan of Good Shepherd Church, the
members shared what they are grateful for as they placed thoughts on the
leaves of the Gratitude Tree. Some told of their blessings, how the church
helped them come back to the Church, their abilities of sharing their
talents and gifts to support the congregation and the Churches ministries.
We started out this second year with Paul telling of the Macedonian
Christians and their generosity. We, too, here at Good Shepherd give of
ourselves, as living disciples and growing in giving with joy and delight
for the gifts that have been bestowed upon us by the Word of Grace or some
other blessing that fills the heart with gladness. The gift of Jesus Christ
provides the foundation of delight in our giving.
As a congregation there is strength in gratitude to go forth into the future
of Good Shepherd’s ministry to the members and to the community that it
serves.
The Stewardship Team thanks all!
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First, We Give of Ourselves:
Giving in Gratitude Thank you!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Thanks be to God for the generous outpouring of
gifts that Good Shepherd Lutheran Church experienced this fall. Over these
past number of weeks, our discipleship and stewardship emphasis, First, We
Give of Ourselves, has led us in conversation about being disciples of Jesus
and growing in gratitude. We celebrate each day, God’s rich grace in our
lives and how we give of ourselves in response to God’s gift of grace in
Jesus Christ. Our Thanksgiving Celebration and Commitment Sunday was a day
of joy, delight, and thanksgiving as we received commitments toward our
mission and ministry for the coming year at Good Shepherd.
Please join us in celebrating our ministry and
growing in discipleship by filling out a Commitment Card and a Time and
Abilities Form, if you have not done so. You are invited to prayerfully
consider how God is calling you to share your gifts and then complete these
with a spirit of joy and thanksgiving for the many blessings God has given,
especially our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God for all that is happening at Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church! Thank you too, for all you do in our ministry
together.
In Christ’s Service,
The Good Shepherd Stewardship Team
“A Heart of Gratitude”
Is your heart one of gratitude or consumed with the desire for more? How do
you consider all that you have been given in life? This is a tension present
in each of our lives and impacts how we consider what we have, how we share
gifts, and give to God. In Luke 12: 32-34, which is our theme text for this
week, Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also”. Luke 12:34 A heart of gratitude celebrates God at the center of our
lives and the one who continues to give, bringing grace and life through
Jesus Christ. As disciples and stewards, God is the focal point of life or
as Jesus says, “our treasure”. A heart of gratitude acknowledges in joy and
celebrates in thanksgiving this important truth for our lives and giving.
• What does the phrase “a heart of gratitude” mean to you?
• In what ways have you given of yourself in gratitude this week?
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