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Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever felt as excited and motivated to be leading our church then right now.  As the video that was shown on Sunday suggests, I believe you and I stand together at a moment every bit as big as when our church’s founders began this church 99 years ago. It’s a moment that invites a leap of courage every bit as wonderful as they took – and my husband, Tom and I are already wrestling with what that bold step of faith looks like for us.  

We had guests’ worship with us on Sunday, which was a great time to come to church, because at the heart of the adventure before us are the promises of God and what God does through the lives of people who make themselves truly available to God’s work. No place is that better illustrated than in the scripture readings that we’re studying together in worship and in small groups over these next several weeks.  

I’ve never asked you to be here for every week of a sermon series, but I’m asking you now. Now that we have online presence, it’s possible to be in church even when the roads are slippery. This series is so important for us individually and as a church. Don’t miss any of it. 

To help you get the most from our conversations, we’ve put together a wonderful booklet we hope you’ll use at home and bring back each week. For those of you who attended worship at home, we are mailing the booklets to you this week.  Bring it with you each week to worship and small group. Small group opportunities are on Mondays at 7 pm on Zoom and Wednesdays at 10:30 am on Zoom and In Person. In addition, our confirmation students will be doing small group devotionals and the choirs as well. I encourage and challenge you to engage and take time to record sermon notes or jot down thoughts that come up in your small group. 

The booklet has lots of information about the Expand the Table initiative. In addition, we have a Commitment Card that I invite you to start praying over as you seek God’s leading about your role in our church’s future and to pray about what sacrificial giving looks like for you.  

A long time ago Pastor Bill Truby gave this incredible sermon in my home church about sacrificial giving. He talked about how easy it is to give out of abundance and challenged us to think about giving sacrificially, to give our first fruits instead of our leftovers. Instead of giving being an afterthought he challenged us to put giving first. He challenged us to give 10% of our earnings to the church before taxes. I was overwhelmed by his sermon and kind of mad about it too. I think I even said, “Impossible.” 

Pastor Truby’s sermon convicted me and has inspired me ever since to intentionally pray and work toward that goal each year, to truly make a sacrificial gift that is not easy, and that stretches our faith. Tom and I are talking, praying, and thinking about what our sacrificial gift will be, and what we might need to give up to make that happen. We wholeheartedly believe in the vision our church has discerned and we want to give in a way that reflects our faith in God’s work in our church.  

Generous God, we are opening our hearts and minds and whole lives to you right now. Speak to us through our worship together, in the small groups, and through the booklets. Lead and guide us to be willing to follow you. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.