"We Thank God"

Dear Fellow Members of Bethel Lutheran Church:

Please fill out the estimate of giving cards and time and talent worksheet and return them to the church this weekend, October 23 and 24, or at the latest by November 1. Place your form in the offering plates at worship or mail them to the church office.

We thank God for the gift of life in Jesus Christ. This weekend we will celebrate our life together in the body of Christ―his church and grow in faith.

We are challenged by the words of last Sunday's gospel "Will the Son of Man find faith when he returns?" We are offered the opportunity to live out our faith by giving of ourselves, our time, our talent, and our offerings. Everyone has an opportunity to grow in the faith. We give because God gave first. God gave us ourselves, and blessed us with talents and strengths and material blessings.

We give thanks by returning to God a portion of what he first gave. Scripture teaches that we should give generously, willingly, and proportionately. God gave sacrificially in giving the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus that we might have life abundantly, joyfully, and eternally. Some of us have given a tithe or a "10%" proportion of what God has blessed us with. Some have grown beyond that tithe―take a step in faith and grow by one percent or even one half of a percent of your gross annual income. This is to grow in Christ. Growth happens through regular and consistent worship and stepping up in our giving.

With the means of grace, the word and the sacraments we are strengthened to live in faith. We sometimes grow quietly and sometimes slowly. But we always grow!

We, as a congregation, are blessed to be a blessing―we are engaged in the mission of Christ―from the water and lights, snow removal, heat, pastor's salary, even to benevolence and mission in the Upper Peninsula and world. But we can do more―let's be more forthright–grow in faith.

Pastors Tom Wickstrom and Lauri Maki

Click below to download (in Adobe Acrobat format):

2011 Time & Talent/Commitment Form

Informational Stuffer

Giving Challenge Chart 2011

Committee Descriptions