During Advent we prepare for the birth of the Christ, the one who shows us how to live faith-filled lives as people of God. But the journey to the manger is a practical as well as a spiritual one. In December our leadership makes plans for another year, bringing hope to our community and each other by building a budget that supports our mission. How will you help that ongoing work?
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’
Luke 3:4-6
In 2021, the Esperanza community made 56 pledges to provide financial support throughout the year. For 2022 our goal is 60 pledges. Only 39 individuals have responded so far to the call to pledge for 2022, falling far short of the pledged giving needed to fund our operations and mission.
Recently the Esperanza council met to formulate a new approach to the call for us to be the hands and feet of Christ. The council is proposing that we pursue a new focus on hunger while continuing to support our ongoing outreach efforts. In the coming year, we will increase opportunities to learn about our faith and how we can support each other and the community. To achieve all this, they plan to improve our operations so that we use our resources effectively and efficiently. We are excited to move forward into a new year of mission and ministry!
Your participation is essential if we are to continue to be a source of hope in our community.
If you have pledged, we thank you! Please consider making an additional gift this calendar year!
If you have not yet fulfilled your 2021 pledge, please do all you can to bring it up to date. We were counting on you when you made that promise.
If you have not pledged for 2022, please pray about how you can support our community as we do God’s work.
The Apostle Paul writes, “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:3-6)
We give thanks to God for you! We celebrate that you are part of Esperanza Lutheran Church and thank you for your support of God’s work that we do together. When we each contribute to our shared life together, God will do mighty things through us for the sake of the world.
In Christ,
Your Esperanza Stewardship Team