Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 118:1)
I am deeply thankful for your patience and faithfulness at a time of great change at Grace. It shows me how deep is your faith and commitment to the greater mission that God has given us. Thank you.
During the month of November, we take time to give thanks to God for God’s blessings upon us. We show our gratitude in worship, as well as in action that expresses God’s love to others. We also show our gratitude to God by making a financial commitment on “Commitment Sunday” (November 7) for the purpose of growing God’s mission in 2011 through Grace Lutheran Church.
Please read the letter that came to your home from the Stewardship Committee and consider how to respond in a generous way that would give you great joy for sharing the financial and spiritual gifts that God showered upon you. Everything we have is from God and belongs to God. How we use our gifts and share them with others becomes a visible expression of our gratitude to God’s amazing grace.
Will you also please take time to honestly and sincerely thank one person this month? It could be someone in your family, a colleague at work, a friend, a church member, or one of the staff at Grace. It could be someone at the grocery store or a mechanic who fixes your car. Words of thanksgiving have a way of infusing life in others and bringing God’s loving presence into their hearts. Thank you!
On Sunday, November 14, we will meet as a congregation to consider a request from the Congregation Council to use up to $25,000 from the reserve fund to remove asbestos tile flooring from the Kensington wing Sunday school area. The work that was funded by a special memorial gift to enhance the Sunday school wing had to stop last summer due to the discovery of asbestos tiling. The Council considered various options including a short-term option that would not have required the expenditure of extra funds. The Council has decided, however, to recommend the option that is best for the congregation for the long-run. A Forum will be held at 10 a.m., Sunday, November 7, to give further information before a vote is taken by the congregation at 10 a.m. November 14. Please see the letter that was mailed to you for further information.
In Christ,
Pastor Saïd Ailabouni
s.ailabouni@gracelutheran-lg.org
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