Pastor Anne’s column December_15 newsletter
Give Thanks | Do Good | Get Ready for Jesus
Fall is typically a time of year we talk about Stewardship. Christian Stewardship is the management and care of the resources God has given us responsibility for. How appropriate that all this preparation leads into our country’s season of Thanksgiving and Advent preparation to celebrate the coming of Jesus. We have so much to be thankful for and that fuels our generosity!
While our move in to the new Ministry Center took longer than we thought, we have used the time to prepare by seeking God and trusting Him to lead the way. The One who has led us to this point will surely complete it!
Lots of preparation has been going on in the church –
· Dream Weavers gathered to share ideas and possibilities,
· Ending Well seminar helped people care for those who will remain after we die,
· Finance led us in our annual church Stewardship campaign, Take a Shot and Become a Warrior for SAINT PAUL. We learned from Andy Stanley about God’s ways for How to Be Rich. It is all about using our resources in this world for eternal riches. Be generous and do good deeds to glorify God. It guards us from the dangers of greed.
· Core team and church ministries are exploring additional ways to make disciples of Jesus Christ as we finalize our 2016 budget.
We have had and will have many opportunities to serve God and be God’s light in the world. October had Make a Difference Day with many projects after worship. Filipino American Ministries (FAM) Pasasalamat will include fun runs for Imagine No Malaria. We join with Compassion Network for our annual collection of Thanksgiving meal ingredients and Christmas gifts for families in need.
I know we are just beginning to dream and listen for God’s leading on how to use the new Ministry Center for making disciples of Jesus, loving others and being His light. The energy and excitement at the church is a gift from God. I thank God for each one of you that is part of what God is doing at SAINT PAUL!
May we be led by God’s Spirit to glorify Him and reach new people for Jesus Christ! Let our prayer be, “Come Lord Jesus come! Prepare us to receive you.”
St. Paul United Methodist Church 