It has been a real joy to serve as your vacancy pastor, and, until the Lord puts a new shepherd in our midst, I will do my best to continue on with my calling as your temporary “keeper of the souls.”

One of the jobs of a pastor is to encourage members in good, God-pleasing stewardship of time, talents and treasures. On Sunday, November 10, we will observe a special Stewardship Sunday, and, as part of our worship this day, we will take a moment to reflect on God’s blessings and fill out our pledge cards in support of our congregation’s work in 2014.

I have had some wonderful experience over the years watching God’s faithful people make specific, sacrificial and joyous commitments to support their church’s budget. I am a firm believer that we need to make such pledges and that God will bless them. The Bible teaches us that we are to give back to the Lord the “firstfruits” of the blessings He has given us. What this means is that we give to God first, perhaps the ideal tithe of ten percent of our income, or an amount that still represents a generous gift back to God of what He has so generously provided for us. We shouldn’t tally up our expenses and then see what is “left over” for the church. It’s just the other way around. Our gift to the Lord should always be a “firstfruit” offering right off the top, just as the people of God in the Old Testament brought the best of their produce and gave it to the priests and to the Lord. Jesus Christ is described in Scripture as the firstfruit offering given by God for our salvation.

I’ve heard a lot of comments made about pledging to the Lord, but I’ll tell you something I’ve never heard. I’ve never heard anyone say they went broke because they gave too much to God! In fact, it’s just the opposite. People repeatedly have told me how they increased their Christian giving – even when it wasn’t easy to do—and how God blessed them in ways they never could have imagined.

Our congregation has survived some big challenges and is doing well in many areas of ministry. The future looks very bright. We can all be an important part of the success of the ministry of our church by making a prayerful, faithful and joyous commitment to the Lord. Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb for the Lord! He hung on a limb of terrible tree to give you the gift of eternal salvation. If He can manage to secure our eternal salvation, He certainly can take care of our daily needs. More than that, He promises to give us a “new and right spirit”, including the priceless gifts of peace of mind and spiritual contentment.

So please reflect on God’s blessings and the important ministry of our congregation. Your response will help shape how God’s will is carried out in the coming year at Saint John’s. God bless you and keep you in His grace.

Rev. Ron Nickel is Vacancy Pastor at Saint John’s Lutheran Church. You can reach him in the church office, by email at nickel@StJohnsFC.org or at 970-482-5316.