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Phone: 425.486.6977
Fax: 425.481.9139
nlcoffice@northlakelutheran.org
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Sept 7
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- Pastor Marvin's monthly words to the congregation
Stewardship
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Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same
Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there
are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of
them in everyone.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
June 2008
Sharing Talents
One of the Three Ts of Stewardship
The Stewardship Committee has begun a
discussion about ways to encourage members to share their talents in a
variety of ways that will promote fellowship and enhance involvement, as
well. This discussion came about after the early May “Just Desserts”
fundraising event. This production showed that people (the actors) have
hidden talents that even they may not be aware of ….. a fact that probably
applies to just about everyone. As future programs, events, skits, ministry
opportunities, etc., are forthcoming, consider tapping into your talents
(and maybe discovering some hidden ones!) to share with others.
May 2008
Offering Options
At the last Church Council meeting, we discussed ways to help people to make
their offerings. Joyce and I have our giving set up directly from our
checking account. This sends money directly to church every month in the
amount that we specify. It allows us to give off of the top of our money,
and also provides us the knowledge that it will always be done so that our
offerings are paid in time, every month. This is always important to help
things flow smoothly for the church.
There is, of course, the Simply Giving program —
www.thrivent.com/fraternal/churchcommunity/simplygiving.html
— available through Thrivent Financial (Lutheran fraternal organization),
which can help you do the same thing. As their web site states, “Because
your gift is given consistently, you won't need to play "catch-up" at
year-end or worry about forgotten checkbooks or missed Sunday offerings.”
You can sign up for the Simply Giving program through the church office.
These are just some of the ways you can help with making sure your gifts to
the church are given and on time. You can always write an additional check
on Sunday morning, if you want to personally put something in the offering
plate, but if not, you can rest assured that your offering is always made
and is working to meet the church’s financial commitments.
In Christ –
Carsten Thode
January 2007
Well another year has passed and in the blink of an
eye it seems! I’d like to start by saying thank you to everyone for your
support in letting me serve as the Stewardship Liaison. There is so much
that has happened in the last year it’s kind of hard to know where to
begin. Let’s start with the obvious: the elevator project is all but
completed! (Hooray!) Just a little trim work and the awning, and it will
be complete. I hope everyone who is in need makes use of it. The elevator
would not have become a reality without the help and support of everyone
in the congregation. So let me say thanks again to everyone who helped
this project get off the ground (so to speak), whether it was with a
financial gift or volunteer labor or even just your prayers.
 During this most recent wind storm and power outage, I was listening to
the radio and the station I was listening to was running a program they
called “neighbor to neighbor.” This program allowed people to call in to
the radio station and give information to other listeners who were without
power — information on where they could get needed supplies, such as
batteries, gasoline, a hot meal, or even a place to get warm. This showed
me there are plenty of nice people still left out there, and we must not
let ourselves become overwhelmed by the few who would
prey on those less fortunate. We need to be the shining light leading the
way, showing the path, leading the way to God. Let’s take the time to
reach out to our neighbor and ask if there is anything we can do for them
and let them know that, through our faith in Jesus, anything is possible.
Feed the hungry, clothe the poor, be a friend to someone in need; these
are the things God asks of his Stewards. Take care of my flock, help a
stranger, “Go and do likewise.”
Recently I saw something from another Lutheran church (St. Andrew’s) that
said, “Stewardship is Ministry, Ministry is giving.” That pretty much says
it all right there; don’t you think? We give of ourselves, whether it is
our time, our talent or our money; as long as we give it to the glory of
God’s word here on earth, that’s all we can ask for.
Thank you all and God bless you in the New Year!
God’s peace to you,
David Osborne
Stewardship Chair
November 2006
eScrip (www.escrip.com)
A painless way to increase the church revenue
You may remember previous publicity about the eScrip program, which is a
hassle-free way for non-profits to raise funds through their members’
everyday purchases made at eScrip merchants. Examples of merchants are:
Safeway, Macy’s, Eddie Bauer, Claim Jumper, Office Max ..... there is a
total of over 150 merchants participating in this program.
All you need to do is securely register your grocery club card, or for
other stores, your debit, ATM and/or credit cards. We emphasize—this is
totally secure information and just as safe as writing a check for any
purchase. You also designate Northlake Lutheran as the recipient of the
funds generated by your purchases. Northlake’s Group ID number is
500001963.
That’s all there is to it! There are forms on the table in the narthex
which will give you additional information.
Last month Northlake received $32.59 from eScrip, and the previous month
it was $21.58. Clearly, these amounts could be five times that (or more!),
if everyone would register for the program. We hope you will consider it.
Simply Giving
Something to consider. . .
Tired of getting out the door Sunday morning and arriving in church, only
to remember your offering envelope is still on the counter at home? Then
you have to search for a stamp to mail it later .... or it gets stuck in
the incoming mail, to be found three weeks later .... or.... well, you get
the picture.
Simply Giving is a convenient, safe and simple way to make your
offerings through electronic funds transfer (EFT) directly from your
checking or savings account into the church’s account. This can happen
weekly, monthly ..... whatever you choose on any particular day(s) you
choose.
This provides the benefit to you of convenience, less bookkeeping,
confidence that you are meeting your financial goals and peace of mind
that your church is benefiting from steady offerings that support the
mission of the church.
There are forms on the table in the narthex, or check with the church
office. Setting this up is extremely easy.
October 2006
What is Stewardship? I have asked this before, and if
you ask that question to most people, the answer you get is usually about
money. So just for fun, let’s see what the dictionary has to say about
Stewardship. From Webster’s New World Dictionary – Steward n. a person put
in charge of the affairs of a large household or estate, whose duties
include supervision of the kitchen and the servants, management of
household accounts, etc. – vt. To be the steward of (something); manage –
stewardship.
Interesting that finances are last on that list; don’t you think?
So how do we see this in the Bible? We have the Good Samaritan, who not
only helped but also paid for the care of a perfect stranger (Luke
10:29-37), or that Jesus tells us to do unto others as we would have them
do unto us (Luke 7:12). We are all stewards to each other; and as such,
the Stewardship Committee is looking for a group of volunteers who would
be willing to cook a hot meal for our members of the congregation who are
ill or caring for someone who is ill. If you’ve ever been in this
situation, you know how difficult it can be to prepare meals. We would
like to be able to bring one hot meal a week to our church family members
in this position.
Pat Scurlock and Phyllis Albrecht will be coordinating this project. If
you are willing to be on a list to cook a meal, either fresh or prepared
in advance and frozen, please contact Pat or Phyllis. If you would like to
get involved in the delivery of the meals or visiting with people, so much
the better!
Thank you in advance to all you Stewards!
In God’s Peace,
David Osborne
Stewardship Chair
January 2006
Elevator News . . .
There is exciting news about the elevator progress! Our permit has been approved
by the city of Kenmore, which means we can get started with the actual site work
preparation.
We still need to raise some funds to complete the work; so we will be “selling
bricks” for the two windows that need to be filled, one in the library and one
in the fireside youth room downstairs. Look for the board in the narthex showing
how many bricks we’ve sold to fill in these windows. We will be selling 100
bricks for a donation of $50 each. Roland has procured the bricks from Mutual
Materials; we thank him very much for taking care of that. But we will still
need the mortar and re-bar to complete the installation as well as some
sweat-equity from any aspiring masons!
We have put a deposit down on the elevator equipment and it will be ordered in
time to have the installation completed by Easter 2006!
So if you are able-bodied and willing to help with the preparations, call David
Osborne (425) 823-9793 or the Church Office (425) 486-6977, so we can plan some
work parties and get this baby off the ground (so to speak!)
Thank you in advance,
David Osborne
(425) 823-9793
October 2005
eScrip Update
We have lots of news to tell
you about. First of all we have a new program in place call E-Scrip. This
program allows you to register your preferred shoppers’ card, a credit
card, or your debit card and when you shop at any of their listed vendors
a percentage of your purchase is donated directly to Northlake! You don’t
have to do anything but shop. Safeway is the largest Vendor in our area
but there is also Eddie Bauer, Office Max, Big 5 Sporting Goods and a few
others. There is also an online mall (for those of you who surf the net)
where you can receive an even better percentage donation. To sign up or
just to see what it’s all about go to
www.escrip.com or look for the information on the table in the
Narthex.
Elevator Progress
The dream of an elevator is almost
a reality! We have researched an option that will allow us to get a lift
installed giving us access to all levels of the church. We currently have enough
in the elevator fund to purchase such a unit and have it installed, but we will
need about another $8,000 to complete the project. This is where you can help;
the $8,000 amount does not include the labor to cut doors in the walls, pour the
new concrete pad and sidewalk, the electrical installations required and a few
other miscellaneous costs. We are looking to the congregation for your time and
talent to get this done. I know many of us are saying “I don’t have the
knowledge or skills to do that!” All we need are hands and bodies to swing a
hammer, use a saw or pour concrete and we WILL make it a reality! Watch for
more details soon.
Yours in Christ,
David Osborne
Sept 2005
Elevator Dream to be Reality?
Some years back an Elevator
Fund was established at Northlake. There currently is over $22,000 in this
fund, most of which was received from a bequest.
This amount seemed to be far below what would be
needed for an elevator. However, David Osborne has been researching a less
costly option, and it appears that we are within striking distance of having
enough to install a lift which is manufactured by Sterling Elevators. It is an
attractive installation and would serve the three levels of the building. The
next step is to re-activate the Elevator Committee for their input, and the
details of a proposal will then be worked out.
This is exciting news! While each floor of the
building is easily accessible, getting between floors is a major problem when
stairs are not an option. Watch for more news about this project in coming
months!
eScrip Program to benefit
Northlake
Northlake has applied to be a part of an
electronic eScrip
program that provides funding to
qualified organizations. There are various participating merchants in this
program. One that is close to Northlake is the local Safeway store.
A church member will register with the store
using their Safeway Club Card. Then with each purchase made, a percentage of
that purchase will be credited to Northlake. It is all handled electronically,
so once a person has registered their Club Card for this service and designated
Northlake as the recipient organization, they will never have to do anything
with it again.
When the church receives acceptance into this
program, further information will be made available on the easy process for
signing up. So watch
for details!! There are other stores in
addition to Safeway that participate in the eScrip program — that information
will be forthcoming, also.
Note: Long-time
members might remember the 1% program that we participated in many years ago
with a local grocery store that previously was in Kenmore. That was in
pre-computer days, so people turned in all their receipts from that store, they
were tallied, and we then received 1% of the total. This eScrip program is
similar, but easier!!
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2008
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