November 2003

Where Your Heart is…
by Magne A. Hatlevik, President of Congregation

As sure as the leaves on the trees are changing color, Mindekirken’s Congregation Council has begun another Stewardship drive. A committee has already met and decided on a stewardship campaign format. This year the motto of the campaign is "Where the Heart is". This is a worship-based experience designed to guide members of the congregation towards mature stewardship. There are four themes for worship and study. The themes are – Gathering, Hearing, Celebrating and Sending. These will be used as key sections of the worship service and include a stewardship message.

Through worship our goal is to help our members to look into their hearts and recognize what it is they treasure. The idea is to return to God a portion of the gifts we have been given by Him. There are several ways that this can be done but typically your stewardship to the church takes the form of giving of your time, talent and/or treasures.

Each of these fits into an area that ends up making our church life a richer and more rewarding experience. The first of them we see in the time donated by many volunteers – ushering, altar guild, kitchen help, assistance with our many church events, as well as help with preparing and mailing this newsletter that you are now reading.

The second shows in areas in which members of our congregation can give of their special talent or expertise that helps the church. This can be someone with musical talents or even those with mechanical knowledge that helps keep our water and furnaces functioning.

The third and final area, the treasure, is very important to keep the church running. Sure, Mindekirken has expenses for utilities, salaries, and the general office and building maintenance. If we keep our eyes and heart open, opportunities to give and to serve will be numerous. Instead of valuing the gift, we place value on the Giver.

The theme of the stewardship campaign this year is "Where your Heart is." We will take a look at what it means to be God’s stewards and we will focus on the theme verse: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). Will our hearts cling to earthly treasures that will eventually disappear, or will they cling to the treasure of God’s kingdom that will last forever?

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716