Applying Bible Principles

The Epiphany season of the Lutheran Church calendar year includes the months of January and February. Epiphany is a word that means “showing forth” or “manifesting.” The season began on January 8^th with the visit of the magi or wise men to worship the baby Jesus as the newborn King. The season continues with the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, the calling of His first disciples, His preaching the good news of salvation, and the opening of His famous Sermon on the Mount. In the four Gospel readings for February we find Jesus teaching that we are lights in this spiritually dark world who give evidence of our new birth as Christians as we love even our enemies and seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. To live that way is truly an “epiphany experience” to show that we really belong to our Lord Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit carry out renewed lives.

That’s what Christian stewardship is all about! Wise Christian stewards manage all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes and do it freely and joyfully! We practice the kind of stewardship that is pleasing to our Lord when we give freely and generously of our time to serve in special ways that bless the mission of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Unity School for the people of our community. This kind of stewardship is also shown when we freely and joyfully offer our talents and skills to help the church prosper and make life better for those around us. St. Peter taught us that “Each one should use whatever gift he as received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10) There are certainly plenty of opportunities for us to do this here at St. Paul!

Many people view Christian stewardship as something that we have to do [a command] in order to be true followers of Jesus. That simply is not true! Real Christian stewardship is the privilege of offering all that we are to make a difference in this world of spiritual darkness. Just as Jesus came on that first Christmas to bring light to a darkened world, so we are called to follow His example. Will we perfectly follow in His footsteps in serving the mission of Christ’s church on earth so it prospers as the home for more redeemed people? No, of course not! We are sinners and will fall short of the glory of God. But, in Christ, God has declared us to be saints because our sins and shortcomings have been forgiven. As St. Paul said, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance of the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18)

We can do this because the Holy Spirit truly empowers us to be good stewards. St. Jude wrote, “Build yourselves up in your most Holy Faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 20) We can let our lights shine so that both believers and others will see Christ through our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.

Thank you for giving to the Lord!

July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012- The income needed through church envelopes, loose plate collection, fund raising, etc. is $375,900.00 Divided by 52 weeks equals $7,229.00 needed per week. Our people responded with gifts of:

Week of January 29th