Greetings all!

 

Today, as I write this letter, I must admit I have a heavy heart. I am concerned for our finances here at St. Matthew’s. Therefore, with the support of our Church Council, I write through a lens of what we are calling the “Pastoral Summer Appeal 2010”.

 

Truthfully, our attendance for summer has been decreasing steadily since the end of May. We have had one valued council member resign due to personal reasons, our Sunday Church School superintendent also resigned after many years, and we continue have vacancies for a 3rd & 4th grade teacher, a Stewardship Chairperson, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.

 

Summertime is notoriously time for vacations and transitions as well as good times with family and friends. And this is all well and good! But, as your Pastor, I continue to be concerned about the lack of attendance on Sunday mornings and the lack of participation overall in our ministries here at St. Matthew’s. I am deeply concerned for the low numbers in our offerings collected each week because we cannot continue to do ministry without funding.

 

Therefore, I am going out on a limb to ask all members of our congregation to make a commitment and send a special offering for the “Pastoral Summer Appeal 2010.”

 

Dear friends, God has blessed us in many ways here at St. Matthew’s, and I challenge each of us to send an offering this summer to show our gratitude to God for all that we have and all that we are thankful for from God.

 

If every member would send just $5 to $10 to this summer special offering fund, we would see that God will bless us abundantly in more ways than we can know. For when we give in gratitude to God, we give from the heart, and that is just what God wants from us.

 

When you finish reading this article, first pray that God will motivate the hearts of many. Second, take out an envelope and write across it “Pastoral Summer Appeal 2010”, making sure your name or offering account # is also on it as you place your contribution inside. Third, either bring it to worship and place it in the offering plate along with your regular offering envelope or drop it in the mail to the church office:

 

Pastoral Summer Appeal 2010

c/o St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church

222 Church Street

Lehighton, PA 18235

 

For many, summer is a time to relax by the pool, take a trip to the beach, or spend time on the golf course. For others, it will be a time of travel to far away places, perhaps reconnecting with distant relatives and friends. For still others, it will mean quiet times sitting outdoors enjoying a few moments of sunshine or the anticipation of a visit from those journeying home for family reunions. No matter how you might spend your July, remember that summertime is God’s gift to us.

 

Won’t you please consider giving back to God and help with this special summer appeal?” I would sincerely hope you will.

 

I continue to pray for your safe travels and God’s continued blessings on your summer activities and our ministries here at St. Matthew’s!

.                           

The Reverend Nancy L. Moore

Pastor