January 15, 2010
Dear Friends in Christ,
We gather for
our Annual Congregational Meeting on January 31, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. We are a
church family that is woven together by the hope of Christ for the world. Our family
of St. Stephen’s is strong. This is the first of several critical congregational
meetings to be held during the coming year.
We come
together to celebrate all the blessing we have received. Just think, we are
approaching our 50th Anniversary and what a celebration that will be – but I digress.
On January 31st we will gather to look at this past year, to make plans for the next (vote
on our 2010 Spending Plan), to hear the progress on calling a new pastor, and to thank God
for weaving us together as a family of believers. We will thank God for YOU and
your partnership!
This is your
church and the ministry that happens depends on you. With your willingness to serve …
your financial gifts … your prayers…. your love St. Stephen’s touched the lives
of so many in ways you may never know. In 2010, we’ll focus on using the
Spiritual Gifts we each have been given. We’ll following the ELCA’s motto “God’s
Work. Our Hands.” I fully believe this will be our best year yet.
I pray that
each of us will find ourselves walking closer with Christ in 2010. The words of
the St. Paul to Philemon express my sentiment: “I always thank my God as I remember
you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all
the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a
full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”
Sharing the Joy,
Jan Johnson
Congregational President
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church
