April 2, 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is an exciting time to be at Holy Comforter Lutheran Church!  Our church family continues to grow while most in our synod are declining.  Not only are we growing our membership, but we are growing as a Christ centered community.

Over the last few years the leaders of our church have been educating all of us on how to go Deeper in our discipleship and to live up to our congregational vision:

Holy Comforter Lutheran Church is a life-changing, transforming church growing deeper in discipleship by serving the world around us.

In order to live this vision, everyone is being asked to grow as a disciple. Discipleship is giving fully of yourself to God and others.  Here are the Six Marks of Discipleship:

1.    Pray Daily
2.    Worship Weekly
3.    Read the Bible
4.    Serve at and Beyond our Church
5.    Be in Relationship to Encourage Spiritual Growth in Others
6.    Give of Time, Talents and Resources

This year we are focusing on our collective stewardship.  The dictionary defines stewardship as “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care”.  As Christians, we know that everything on earth was created by God.  What we have is His, and we are simply entrusted to manage it while we are here on earth preparing for the feast that is His.  Since everything on earth is God’s and we are simply managing God’s gift, our charges as Christians must be to:

1.    Receive God’s gifts gratefully
2.    Cherish and tend God’s gifts responsibly
3.    Share God’s gifts with justice and love for others
4.    Return God’s gifts with increase to the Lord

As we grow in our discipleship, we must grow in our stewardship. To help remind us how to fulfill our charge, we are announcing the Five T’s of Total Stewardship:

1.    Tithe — Giving of our financial and material gifts
2.    Time — Giving of the most precious gift we have, our time on earth!
3.    Talents —We are all unique and individuals with our own strengths.  We must give what God has given us to help better those around us.
4.    Troubles — We must surrender completely to God, trusting in Him that He will show us the path he wants us to follow.
5.    Testimony — We are but the hands of God, doing what he wants of us.  He can help us overcome the most insurmountable odds but he deserves ALL OF THE GLORY!  We must constantly thank Him and praise Him for all he does.

The introduction of the 5 T’s to HCLC is the perfect time for each of us to check where we are in our giving, and where God is calling us to be.  Please consider where you are giving of your Resources now and how you can expand in your Tithe.  Look at the unique gifts God has given you, your Talents.  These are yours to share with others.  What can you do to give more of yourself?  Next, look at your time.  We all live hectic schedules, but sharing our Time to help others is an important step in your journey to living a deeper life of Discipleship.   Finally, give Testimony to God and all he entrusted you to manage.

We know it is a hard economic time in our society, but we have a great message.  In these times of turmoil, we must all rise up in our stewardship to help spread his message.  It will take years for you to go Deeper in your discipleship, but prayerfully consider making the commitment.  Boldly take it a step at a time.  Keep moving forward.  Please make your giving after prayerful consideration.  Please ask God for His guidance, and trust in His promise for your daily bread.  Please give generously as we work to build glimpses of the kingdom of God in Kingwood and beyond.

In Christ,

Peter Kaleda
Council Secretary