Nov 11, 2001

As we have our Stewardship Sunday today I have to talk about money.

I looked into it and it is amazing how much Jesus himself actually talked about money. A big part of his teachings and parables are dealing with how we handle our possessions. Once he honored a poor widow who put in two small copper coins and said to his disciples that she gave more than all the others. For all of them contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty all she had to live on.

As a Norwegian Pastor here at Mindekirken I have realized how important the offering envelopes are for the running of the church and it is amazing how you set up the stewardship program.

This congregation is totally dependent on the generosity of the members. The congregational life and service is possible only because of what you give to the Church. The many different needs of our congregation are met by faithful giving every Sunday morning and by the giving of somehow else.

One example is the Christmas Treasure Chest Sale a couple of weeks ago and the upcoming Lutefisk dinner.

The Christmas Sale this year took in $13,200. I have no idea about the total over the years. The Silent Auction alone over 9 years has brought $26,000.

I talked to a couple of ladies at one of the tables:"We are tired, and we are not getting younger, you know, I have said it many years that this is the last, but you see, we still are here, and it is lot of fun as well. What will happen to Mindekirken if no one is willing to do anything? Do you think there will be some younger people to follow up?"

Sometimes we ask if it is possible to continue in the same course? Are we capable of increasing the income? Do we manage to take new steps forward? Are we able to increase the membership? Is there someone somewhere that can give more in the upcoming year?

Mindekirken is so important, why are there some people that do not seem to see the importance?

Some of you have said to me that Mindekirken is so important to you. I am so glad for this church and the people who belong here. I am more than willing to spend time and money to keep this church going.

It struck me that we should have some of you enthusiastic members tell this in the Communicator to people out there, rather than having the Pastor or the congregation President to do it in their articles. Here are both young and old members that can share this powerful message to Communicator readers and to the 1200 on the mailing list.

Sometimes we think it is hard to run Mindekirken. We have spent a lot of effort for years. I am tired. But sometimes we are inspired and enjoy it. We feel like it is an obligation and a privilege. We see the greater connection. It is good to belong. It is good to serve. I receive a lot in return. I really belong to a unique fellowship. Our church is not perfect but it is a wonderful and great congregation. It is God’s church and we are God’s children and servants. Together we worship and give thanks and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ.

On this particular Sunday as we have our stewardship drive, I have to say at least two significant words, a word of thanks and a word of challenge.

Thanks to all of you taking responsibility for our congregation.

The Apostle Paul always shares words of thanks to the congregations. He offers thanks to God for them, that they have received the Gospel, have faith in Christ and love towards one another. They faithfully proclaim the Gospel and take care of the needs of the community. He even offers words of thanks to the churches living in remote Roman provinces for sending money to the poor in Jerusalem.

To proclaim the Gospel and offer help to the needy are the two tasks we have and are constantly working on in our church as well.

Mindekirken often gets thank-you- letters from the Minneapolis Synod, from the Marie Sandvik Center, I Love A Parade, Community Emergency Services, and from our missionaries in Japan because of our support. We should have some of the thank-you-letters in the Communicator for all of you to read!

I also take this opportunity to thank you all on behalf of Church Council and Staff. Your generosity makes it possible for Council and Staff to take care of our duties and to serve according to our call. Thank you for supporting our ministry.

So a word of challenge.

Paul also confronted the congregations and lifted up some new challenges.

Now it is time for our congregation to take new action. Time for moving forward. Taking new steps in faith and love and committed service. Time to commit ourselves to God and to his Church that we belong to.

It is time for Sunday School, Children’s Program, Youth and Family, Entire Congregational Education Program, Neighborhood Connection, Social Emergency and Mission to move forward. It is time to fulfill the New Addition.

The first time we visited Mindekirken the guest preacher that Sunday said: I have good news and bad news. The good news is the boiler is repaired. The bad news is that the money to pay for it still is in your pockets.

Some have more money in their pocket. I believe that some members can give double without any hurt or easily increase their offering 50%. Everyone has to pray and consider his own situation. I and my wife need to do so. We still have some obligations in Norway to take care of and we have a student in College, and so forth that we have to take into our prayer and consideration. All of you have to pray and consider your situation and find out how much you can afford to increase.

By experience I know there is a great blessing and freedom in dedicated stewardship and offering.

Here at Mindekirken we can think of the founders of our congregation 80 years ago and those who erected this church in times of the Depression. They had a vision. They felt an obligation. And the New Addition in our time is a huge commitment.

Many people are eager to offer donations for décor and furnishing. That is excellent. But now we plan for the next year in our congregation. We have a new budget to meet. We want our church to grow.

Let us do it! Trust God’s blessing!

Amen

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