As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another

with whatever gift each of you has received. 1Peter 4:10

Dear Friends,

The theme for this year’s annual giving campaign “Bless it forward” takes as its inspiration the cultural phenomena of “Pay it forward,” popularized in the early 2000’s by the movie of the same name.  The idea is simple. The gifts, good turns, opportunities and resources we receive, when passed on and shared with others, have the power to make a grace-filled difference in the world.

Our guiding scripture from 1 Peter tells us that as recipients of God’s grace and blessing, we are to be good stewards, activating and deploying our blessings, so as to be a blessing to others.  Although we are all gifted differently, in the manifold grace of God, we believe that everyone’s gifts matter and are of vital importance to God’s mission. With whatever gifts we have been given, we serve one another, and in this act of blessing it forward, we give glory to God.

Unlike other types of organizations, our church is sustained by voluntary giving.  There are no dues, fees, products for purchase or hefty endowments with which to fund each year’s mission and ministry.  The operation of St. Luke’s on the Lake is supported only by the generous hearts who make the choice to bless it forward.

This year’s annual giving campaign is chaired by Allen Griswold and Talia and Scott Stroud and supported by the efforts of the Stewardship Team led by Gerald and Donna Hill. Over the coming weeks, parishioners will share their stories about how St. Luke’s makes a difference in their lives and why they feel called to invest their gifts for the flourishing of our parish. On October 20th, The Rev. Ben Nelson will inspire us as our guest preacher. On October 27th, we will honor those saints who have gone before us with a special service of remembrance. At the conclusion of our campaign, on November 10th, we will ask God’s blessing upon the manifold gifts of our church during morning worship, and that evening, celebrate the gift of each other, with supper and a variety show at St. Luke’s Follies. Throughout this season of giving, all of us are invited to consider the many ways we are both blessed and a blessing.

This fall, we each have an opportunity to bless St. Luke’s forward, to both preserve and multiply the manifold grace of God, lived out in our community.  St. Luke’s on the Lake is a blessing to so many people. Let us bless it forward!

The Rev. Kathy Rock Pfister, Rector