Gifts from Heaven ... Rivers of Light (5) Newsletter article

 Article

• Author: Paul M. Youngdahl is senior pastor at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
• Updated: 03/12/2008
• Copyright: Mount Olivet Lutheran Church,
  5025 Knox Ave S,
  Minneapolis, MN 55419-1095

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church's pastoral staff wrote five articles for the congregation's newsletter, the Mount Olivet Weekly Visitor, for this stewardship campaign. Following is Paul Youngdahl's contribution to the series, which appeared in the Sept. 4, 2003, edition.

For a full overview of this stewardship series, click on
Mount Olivet stewardship.

Christian stewardship is about deliberately leaving something on the platter of material blessings, when we could certainly choose to help ourselves to more, when we might even feel hungry for more. Christian stewardship is about going out of our way to bring something of the best we have -- and offering it as a gift to God.

In Deuteronomy 12, God issues what seems like a very clear summons to the Church. God says, "Bring your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give, and your freewill offerings, and the first born of your herds and flocks."

The ministry and mission of Mount Olivet Church rest on the shoulders of each of us who believe and trust in Jesus Christ. Maybe we could increase by one or two percentage points per year in our giving, until we are tithing. Maybe we could double our giving for six months, and see if our Lord God does not supply our needs as he promises

A Presbyterian pastor used to tell every new member class: "Commit yourself to tithing to the church and, at the end of the year, if you do not find that God has provided for you and strengthened your walk with him, come see me, and we'll give you a refund on your investment." I would certainly be willing to give that tradition a try at Mount Olivet Church.

God expects us, and commands us, to invest our time, energy and financial resources to minister to the world. Our only true failure will be if we choose to stay on the sidelines. People give of themselves in the ministry of Mount Olivet Church as a way of showing their commitment to the work of God.

Our stewardship dinners begin this coming Sunday at 6 p.m. I would appreciate it very much if each of you would fill out the stewardship registration card you received in the mail or sign a bulletin insert this Rally Sunday telling us when you will be able to attend a dinner.

Rally Sunday will be an exciting day for every one of us. I hope and pray every member of Mount Olivet Church can come together in this festival of joy and praise. There will be uplifting music by the returning Senior and Cathedral Choirs and a brass quartet. Sunday church school will begin, with classes at 9, 10, and 11 o'clock. If it is at all possible for you to register your children for the 9 or 11 o'clock church school hour, we would appreciate it.

May God continue to bless you with new strength, hope and faith for each day. It is a joy to serve you as your senior pastor.

Gifts from Heaven ... Rivers of Light (1)
Newsletter article

Gifts from Heaven ... Rivers of Light (2)
Newsletter article  

Gifts from Heaven ... Rivers of Light (3)
Newsletter article  

Gifts from Heaven ... Rivers of Light (4)
Newsletter article