The essential goal of the stewardship ministry at Bethlehem is to help focus our hearts and our lives on the things that really matter. By growing in our faith, helping others, and being good stewards of the abundance that God has given us, we can focus on the richness of being rather than the richness of having.
As part of building our relationship with God, each year we ask you to give a gift of gratitude for God's blessings. Your annual giving strengthens our church and allows us to be part of a community of faith that makes a difference in people's lives.
We're excited to move forward into the new year on a firm foundation to carry out our vision of Connecting People with God, Each Other and Their Mission in the World. If you haven't turned in an Estimate of Giving card for 2010 and would like to do so, pick one up at the church office or contact Carolyn O'Grady at 612-312-3402 or cogrady@bethlehem-church.org.
By Ted Contag, Stewardship Ministry Team
On a cold snowy Friday in early February my business partner and I closed our offices and took our team to St. Paul to serve meals to homeless people through a program called JESUS Delivers. Modeled after the home grocer, Simon Delivers, the ministry serves about 250 lunches 4 to 5 times per week to the St. Paul homeless community using a mobile kitchen and lay ministry volunteers.
After a quick tour of the mobile kitchen, we went to work preparing the food.
The January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti devastated their country and has affected more than three million citizens. Bethlehem members responded immediately and generously, donating over $60,000 in the span of 3 weeks. Thank you for your outpouring of support! Our gifts will go to the ELCA Disaster Response of which 100% will be sent directly to Haiti. If you'd like to see more about ways in which your dollars are at work take a look at the Haiti Earthquake Relief page on the ELCA website.
By Judy Thompson, Stewardship Ministry Team
When we build on God's generosity to us, a seed is planted and we begin to grow to a place more in line with God's orientation.
A story is told about John D. Rockefeller's younger years. The tycoon was always on-the-go and rarely able to rest. He went from meeting to meeting facing the chance of success or failure each time. Soon it became clear that Rockefeller was putting his very health at stake.
