From the Pastor

That God Might Be Glorified
(1 Peter 4:10-11)

August is a month at Resurrection Lutheran Church when things start hopping again. Activity at the schools start back up. Summer vacations give way to new academic year initiatives. It’s a fun and exciting time… full of hope and promise. You may have heard about a new initiative that is about to get underway. Faith in Action is the name of RLC’s capital campaign set to kick off on August 16. What is the reason to take part in this special effort “For Our Mission and Facility Needs”? “Don’t we already collect regular offerings and set aside funds to pay the bills that come due year after year?” you might be wondering. Indeed, we do. But the need for a capital campaign alongside a yearly budget can be compared to the need not only to water your lawn regularly but also to plant an ornamental tree from time to time. Annual budgets are like watering your garden, while capital campaigns are like planting a tree. Watering keeps things going day by day. Planting trees requires special effort, extra resources, and a bit of intentionality. It will shape the landscape into the future. How will this campaign, by the grace of God, shape our ministry landscape?

• We intend to faithfully steward the gift of the beautiful building and facilities passed down to us by our forebears and continue God’s kingdom work among the people who use them for worship, service, education, and fellowship;
  
  
• We intend to honor the sacred trust placed in us by doing all we can to ensure the well-being of those who pass through our doors—especially protecting the safety of the children and youth entrusted to our care at our church and schools;
  
  
• We intend to be good stewards of our financial resources and retire our current debt;
  
  
• We intend to reach out with the love of God in Christ Jesus to our community and world (mission tithe);
  
  
• We intend to make the most of our campus spaces at the heart of our church’s ministry Monday – Saturday (the Fellowship Hall, Fellowship Hall kitchen, and church offices) in a manner that is efficient, functional and welcoming.
  
  
• I am encouraged to see our congregation coming together to meet the needs of this campaign! So many of you have already stepped up to serve. Over 50 people volunteered on our Campaign Announcement Weekend, which is where the call to be faithful stewards begins: with our time and talents. St. Peter writes: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” After all, it is only through the redeeming work of Jesus who rescued us not with perishable things like silver and gold, but with his very own precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-19), that we are able to serve and find joy in our service. Please join us for a very special time of fellowship as we kick off the campaign together on August 16 at 12:30 pm in the Family Life Center gym. The event is for everyone—both kids and adults! Let’s gather to celebrate what God is accomplishing!
  
  

We not only water the garden gifted to us by God but “plant a tree” for the benefit of future generations. To God be the glory!

Peace and joy in Christ,
Pastor Jonathan