COUNCIL REFLECTION ... by Val Michel
Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities Council is comprised of 16 members , including three pastors . We are a diverse group in age and vocation , but all members of our community of faith .
My first instinct , when asked to write an article , was to go to Strong ’ s Concordance to find an appropriate Bible verse . I looked up " community ." There is not one verse listed under community .
When I was growing up , one of my chores at home was always wiping the dishes and putting them away . One of my sisters or my brother got to do the washing . We always sang . We had fun singing songs like " I ’ ve Been Working on the Railroad " or " Old Mill Stream ," and Christmas carols in season . My mother would say , “ Do your share .”
Our church home needs us to do our share . You can call it stewardship , you can call it service or you can call it vocation . It ’ s you sharing your time , talents and treasures .
In Crazy Talk , edited by Rolf Jacobson , the definition of vocation is : " The thing you do that was given to you to do in the way you do for the benefit of those you are doing it for ." Got that ? Vocation is the thing ( s ) you are called by God to do , with the gifts and talents God has given you , to which you commit your passion and energy for the sake of God ’ s creation . The word comes from a Latin term , vacare , meaning “ calling ”— which implies a caller : God . God calls more than just pastors . God calls each of us , gives us many gifts , and gives us a lift up by means of the Spirit . Vocation is all about loving the NEIGHBOR and serving in God ’ s name . Let ’ s do our share !
" For when two or three are gathered in my name , I am there among them ."
- Matthew 18:20
( P . S . This verse is listed in the Concordance under “ gather ,” but to me it ’ s community .)
YOUR GIVING MAKES A DIFFERENCE by Pastor Bob Wertz , Pastor of Stewardship and Planned Giving
In an effort to start the year off on the right foot , I share with you two “ thank yous ” and one important “ heads up :”
First , thank you to all members who have pledged their giving intentions to the 2017 annual operating fund by either filling out a hard copy commitment form or having done so online . Bethlehem Twin Cities , in both locations , have been proponents of pledging for many years for three critical reasons :
• Pledging aligns our habits with our values . When being generous is who we want to become , the practice of pledging is one way to intentionally live it out .
• Pledging helps both the person who pledges — by establishing a regular giving pattern — and also helps the church by providing a steady and predictable stream of resources .
• Pledging reflects an understanding that because God is doing all God can do to shape us into deeply generous people , we are doing our part as well .
And lest you think the time to pledge has passed , it hasn ’ t ! We would gladly receive your pledge for 2017 by either contacting Katy Stenross , Bethlehem ’ s new stewardship ministry assistant at kstenross @ bethlehem-church . org , 612.312.3402 , or completing one online by going to bethlehem-church , org , and clicking on “ 2017 Annual Commitment ” under the “ Giving ” tab at the bottom of the home page .
Second , another thank you to all members who have contributed over the last three years to the 2014-2016 capital campaign , Treasure in Clay Jars , at the Minneapolis campus ! With a final tally yet to be made , we are closing in on $ 2M ! Recall that two-thirds of the gifts were earmarked for bricks-and-mortar upgrades , including a new elevator in the northwest corner of the building as well as extensive renovating in Harrisville Hall and surrounding areas , and soon-tobe completed audio and video upgrades in the Sanctuary . The final third , over $ 600,000 , was divided between three mission partners , Urban Homeworks , Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry ( LPGM ), and Holistic Ministry of Children of the Horn of Africa ( HMCHA ). Special thanks to our outstanding servant / leaders who so capably managed the campaign from start to finish — Andrew and Lisa Hedden , Jeff and Patsy Mogush , and Jan Gauger .
Finally , work behind the scenes is already underway to launch our next yet-tobe-named three-year capital appeal which will formally commence immediately after Easter 2017 . With extensive work at both the Minneapolis and Minnetonka facilities to fix water infiltration problems and upgrade long-overdue spaces , and with financing in place with the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA that will be accessed as soon as the weather warms up , we look forward to positive responses from members of both campuses to tend to the work at hand . Stay tuned to the Connect newsletter for regular updates on the planning and how you can take part .
WELCOME KATY STENROSS !
NEW STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY ASSISTANT Katy moved from Rochester , New York in July , 2016 to be closer to her two sons who live in Minneapolis and Faribault . Working in high schools around Rochester for the past 22 years , she loved working with administration , teachers , staff and the students . Katy is excited to be part of the Bethlehem community and looks forward to the coming months .
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