Looking ahead to Sunday with Pastor Sara: Growth spurts

by Pastor Sara Spohr

Can you name a time, event, or experience where your faith grew significantly? Stop, think about that question before you keep reading. Really look back. When has your faith, or your trust in God, or your understanding of God’s presence in your life, gained strength?  Here’s this week’s opportunity to share your story.

I can think of three pretty specific moments in my life when I gained a new understanding that God mattered, faith mattered, my connection to a spiritual community mattered.  

The first was my time on summer staff at Luther Crest Bible Camp. I always knew the words of faith, but this was the first time I remember seeing people actually live their faith in a loving Christian community.  

The second was when my dad got sick and we didn’t know if he would survive. His pastor gave our family communion around his bed in the St. Cloud Hospital. That day, for the first time, I felt an indescribable strength in that holy meal.
 
The third time was when I started to give sacrificially. When I began to give in this way, I learned that giving was less about a church budget, and so much more about my relationship with God.

This Sunday as we worship, we’ll once again consider this question “How will you measure your life?” Start now. Process this question – how has your faith grown, evolved, matured? What moments of genuine community, hardship, or sacrifice have helped you to see your relationship with God in a new light?  Share your short story here.

This week members will receive a letter from Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church with an ‘Intent to Give’ form. As you reflect on your faith, prayerfully consider how God will use the gifts you give in the year ahead to really make a difference in our shared mission in the world. Every gift given makes us a stronger community of individuals more trusting in God to guide us. Every gift given allows us to make an impact in our work to share God’s love with all.

Can I give you one more reason to tune into worship this Sunday? I’ll tell you the story of my newest pair of shoes and how they continue to remind me of my need to trust in God.

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