On Sunday, November 10, Dave Androvich, our Resources Team Leader, shared the following thoughts.
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Good morning, everyone.
I’d like to share with you an encounter I had after our recent Bach concert. An outside person approached me, clearly impressed by the event, and asked, “How many members are in this church?”
Now, I have to admit, I stuttered a bit before I answered. I told her that, while we don’t often focus on membership numbers, we have about 115 families who pledge to support our community.
Her response was, “Wow, so small! It’s amazing what you’re doing here.”
And as I reflected on her words later, I realized that it’s not just amazing. It’s a miracle — God’s miracle, made possible by each of us who shares our time, our talents, and our resources to build and sustain this place.
I’d like you to think about the St. John as a tree.
At the base of this tree is the trunk, which represents our income — the foundation of everything we do. Our income is based on your pledges combined with loose giving, memorials and rent. This income secures the trunk, allowing our tree to grow tall and strong. Without this strong foundation, there would be no tree.
Then, as we move upward, the trunk of the tree is supported by the branches. These branches are the major recurring expenses of our church: our mortgage, building maintenance, utilities and the salaries of our one full-time employee and our three part-time staff members who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our ministries thriving.
Off-shooting from these larger branches are smaller ones, which represent the Leadership Teams that help carry out our mission. These teams give their time and energy to ensure that our programs — our worship, outreach, fellowship, and education — flourish. Each team contributes to the health and vitality of this tree.
And finally, the leaves of the tree represent our reach — our impact on the internal and external community. Just as a tree's leaves spread out to share the air and the sun, our outreach and ministry extend into the lives of those around us, making a difference beyond our church walls.
Each of us plays a role in growing this tree. God has given us all gifts — gifts of resources, gifts of time, and gifts of service. It is through these gifts that the tree grows and thrives.
As you reflect on your own gifts this season, I want you to remember that the pledges we make — both the amount and the timing — secure that trunk of the tree. They ensure that the work of St. John continues to grow and bear fruit.
In the coming weeks, you will receive a stewardship letter asking for your pledge for 2025, along with a special request for a one-time year-end gift to help replace the carpet in our MPR (Multi-Purpose Room). I ask that you take time to review the letter, pray about your contribution, and support the work we’re doing together to grow this tree of faith.
Thank you for being a part of the St. John community. Your gifts make all the difference. May God continue to bless our work together. Amen.
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