A blessed Celebration of Reformation to you and your family!
This year it is so fitting that our response Sunday coincides with Reformation! Over 500 years ago, Martin Luther’s bold action addressed the Church’s non-Biblical financial scheme — selling indulgences. The Church had lost its way, and it was no longer a steward of God’s blessings. Today Martin Luther through the Reformation calls us to be Stewards of the Gospel.
Stewardship is our response to God’s greatest gift, eternal life through Jesus Christ. This response is our gifts of time, gifts of service, and gifts of financial support.
As we say in our offertory prayer response: We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us, ourselves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Truly, it is with joy and thanksgiving we now respond to God’s gracious gifts by being good stewards of all these gifts.
I invite you to prayerfully consider and discern how you might continue to be a steward of God’s blessings in 2027. Over the last two Sundays the Time and Talents form and the Annual Pledge form were provided in the weekly Announcements. This coming weekend, Oct 24 & 25, please bring your forms to place in the collection basket at the Baptismal Font. (Additional copies will be available on the Ushers’ table or you may download a copy to print at home.)
And a special request to anyone who would not normally fill out the Time & Talent form – we are asking all members and visitors to complete at least the top portion with name and contact information. It has been many years since we audited our databases and we have many incorrect phone numbers and email addresses. We will be using these forms in the coming weeks to make updates and your help is appreciated.
Thank you for your faithfulness, for being a steward of the Gospel, and for living out our mission: “To Know Christ, To Share Christ, To Show Christ”.
Peace
Gary Kovar
Treasurer, Church Council
P. S. We have included the Ministry Videos here that were shown on Sunday mornings this month to highlight how SOTW strives to be the light of Christ in our community and with our church in Tarma. We hope you enjoy them.