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"Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you
have; for he has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.' So we can say
with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone
do to me?'"
God has given us life, forgiveness, grace. How do we respond?
This text reminds us that our response should be one of confidence. We should
not be afraid of what may lie ahead. Instead, our confidence in God can be
exemplified through our sacrifice and embodied in our stewardship. Free from the
love of wealth and our own possessions, we have the opportunity to show grace
and hope for the sake of others. We are all capable of demonstrating our call to
caring for others and for encouraging others to be good stewards in our
community of faith.
Your offerings contribute to Women of the ELCA's annual gift
to the church. The ELCA domestic hunger grants are just one of the things
supported by that gift. Each year, the committee receives requests from around
the country describing the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities. In
2006, 450 hunger grant applications were received — more than 150 more than in
2005. What does this say about the suffering of people living among us? As a
member of that committee, I read their stories; how can I not be content with
what I have in the face of others' struggles? By reading their stories and being
able to provide assistance through the greater church, my own faith and trust in
God's good news of hope and healing has deepened. I can say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid."
Offering prayer: Good and gracious God, help me
hold fast to my confidence in you and to my confession of hope that we may
continue to serve our communities, our church, and our world. Amen.
Offering focus: Your Thankofferings support Women of
the ELCA's annual gift to the ELCA.
Emily Hansen is an associate for programs in the areas of grants,
scholarships, and stewardship for Women of the ELCA.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible,
copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
 Copyright ©
2007 Women of the ELCA. All rights reserved.
May be reproduced for use in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America provided the copyright information above appears on every copy with
these words: Used with permission.
For all other purposes
contact Women of the ELCA.
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