Stewardship Moment: We are the blessed ones

I would like to say a few words about the approaching EMV and perhaps even what my church means to me.  Yes, we are currently bordering on financial straits.  But we have had financial problems before and have always come through.  I’m sure we can not only come through, but do better.

  

I would have to say that to give financial support to my church is a privilege.  I give, but I also gain so much.  Fellowship, challenge, peace, learning, joy, great sermons on Sunday morning, music to live for, sometimes courage, growth in my faith, and more.  A building where we can meet as fellow Christians is a fundamental need.  We have all heard about the coal that gets away from the rest of the coals in the fireplace and soon goes out.

  

I am so thankful for my mother who taught my siblings and I about God.  We were caught up in the stories about Jesus’ birth and His crucifixion.  The seeds of faith were sown by my mother at a very early age.  I’ve always been a practicing Christian and gone to church, (and sung in a choir since I was sixteen, incidentally) but as I matured I slowly came to realize that part of the maintaining of a church was my responsibility.  How else could it go on?  Needs have to be met.  That is why I tithe.  First things first. 

  

I think all will agree that we are an especially blessed congregation.  A couple of years ago, I happened to meet an old musician friend of mine here in the church who was playing for a funeral.  We got talking about our Director of Music, Mark Kieswetter.  She knew of Mark and commented, “You are so lucky.”  We all know we are indeed blessed with Mark’s leadership, not to mention his immense talent, and last but not least, his witness to his faith.  How appropriate is that?

  

And then we have Pastor Tuula with her thought provoking, sometimes outspoken, sermons; her happy, positive presence; her humanness; her desire to do what she likes to do best, and that is to serve.  I, for one, love her.

  

We are also blessed with a crowd of giving people who perform, willingly, so many duties, and get so much accomplished.  We are a presence in the community and in the wider church.  We have a great church.  Staff have to make a living, furnaces and air conditioners have to function and to be replaced if and when needed, property has to be maintained, and so on.  Our homes cost us; our households cost us.  It just costs to live.  If our church life is a priority, I’m asking you all to make your giving a priority, be it just a tiny increase if you are able, or be it a larger amount.  Call it an investment in our future and for those who have not yet passed through our doors.  We are the blessed ones to have been given this gift of faith and to know that we are the Lord’s chosen ones.  Forever.  Hallelujah!!

Greta

Stewardship Moment: It sets a foundation for me

Why do I come and give – why is church important to me?

The Church has played an important part of my upbringing and in many ways setting the foundation of what I am today. It has been an integral part of our family. I grew up in a very small village, in a small church – Emmanuel Lutheran in Guyana, with not more than 50 members. I was baptised and confirmed there and also taught Sunday school and always enjoyed what I did at church. In a village of a few hundred people, church was like extended family, embedded and intertwined with the community and was part of growing up.

For me, there are 4 simple reasons why church is of importance to me:

1. Fellowship – church is a place where we can give and receive encouragement, we always need some encouragement as life is not easy – it can be difficult at times. Church is where fellowship starts, where we get involved in activities for the betterment of all.
2. Recharge and growth – sometimes the fuel in you is running out and you need to be re-energised or move to the next level in your faith. The teachings, whether through sermons, stories, testimonies, do help to serve this purpose.
3. It’s a good habit and a positive example – Jesus did it, he went to church. It’s a good habit to develop and a positive example for my children and for others. 
4. Help to serve others – through involvement and participation to make the church stronger. This gives satisfaction and can be self motivating.

In closing, I want to say that I think it’s in all of us to build these simple foundational elements, to share it and also to teach our children and others what Jesus has shown us to do and asks us to do. Emmanuel Lutheran is over 80 years old today and is still around, vibrant as ever and serving its community – although its survival was written off by many several times. What kept it going was a congregation with big hearts, who believed in themselves and gave more than they received. We at St. Philips can do the same!

Thank you.

Chris

Stewardship Moment: Why I'm proud to call St Philip's home

I will preface my remarks by saying that CHURCH has always been an important part of my life, and I would feel spiritually empty, alone, and discouraged without its presence and influence in my life.

Question- WHY ST. PHILIP'S?

  

Warm Welcoming Place - When my husband Dennis & I first came to St. Philip's (20 years ago), we received a warm welcome from the people here, even though we were not Lutheran background. I remember that we got a visit from the Pastor the first week, who welcomed us for who we were, answered our questions about the doctrine, and encouraged us to give St. Philips' a try, and find our way in ministry. How thankful we were for this, and it’s a testament to you that I’m still here. (I guess the trial is over)
 

Encouragement & Support  - Life is not always a bed of roses, and like many of you here, I also was faced with the death of my spouse, my parents, and mother-in-law. In all of these times, I found the support of people here at St. Philip’s. Also, just 1 year ago, I faced a severe health issue that forced me to be laid aside for several months. What did I learn? God is faithful, and was with me, but also the people at St. Philip’s supported and encouraged me with your cards, gifts, phone calls, & visits, rides when I couldn’t drive, and always your prayers. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, and may God bless you for your care and concern for others.

Outreach Program - Here at St. Philip’s we state that we are In Mission for Others and I hope we never lose sight of this, as I feel we have been so blessed, that it’s our joy to be able to give back to others who are less fortunate, whether at home or abroad. Some examples of this are the Food Bank, Market Share, Reformation challenge of the tree planting, Sponsoring refugees, and the global work of the CLWR. How blessed we are here at St. Philip’s, what a joy to be able to give back to others, and help in carrying out the Great Commission.

  

I will conclude with a verse from Luke 6:38 which I find very meaningful as it talks about the blessings we receive from giving from the heart!!!

  

It says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

  

May God Bless you as you give from an abundant heart.

Doris

On Camp Edgewood

Ramadan with the Babashov family in west Toronto

Passages Canada staff, Calina Ellwand and Maddy Macnab, recently took part in the Intercultural Dialogue Institute’s Meet Your Neighbours program, which gave them the opportunity to share a fast-breaking Iftar dinner with a Muslim family during Ramadan. The purpose of the program is to build bridges and exchange ideas across differences of culture and religion. 

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