Because of God's Great Mercy - Email #1

Email #1 (10/20/2026)

Dear St Mark’s,

Welcome to the first of a series of messages that are a part of our congregation’s “Because of God’s Great Mercy” stewardship program.  In the Bible, mercy is a disposition of compassionate love that leads to an outward act of kindness, forgiveness, or relief from suffering for someone in need or distress.  Over the next few weeks, we are going to consider God’s Great Mercy and our response to that mercy through our financial support of St Mark’s Lutheran Church. 

In 1 Peter we read, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace”.  1 Peter 4:10

God’s mercy comes to you in our Lord, Jesus Christ.  God’s mercy also comes to you in many other ways.  Among these are the material possessions you enjoy.  They come from our loving God, but more than this, they are entrusted to you by God.  The Bible teaches us that all that we have in this life comes from God.  Our time, our talents, and our money and possessions all come from God, and in a very real sense still belong to God.  In this life we are stewards, caretakers, and managers of God’s incredible bounty. 

God has entrusted into your care all that you “have”.  This good news is the beginning of our understanding that we are stewards.  It is also the starting point of your thinking about your giving.  When you give to St Mark’s Lutheran Church, you are giving some of what God has entrusted into your care to accomplish God’s work in the world.  And through St Mark’s Lutheran Church, it accomplishes a lot.

Blessings to you,

Stewardship Chair – Dave Mindrup

Committee Members: Vicki Larson, Debbie VanKempen