Mark that date on your calendar as a time of spiritual growth, fellowship, and commitment here at Christ Our Savior. September 23rd will be "Consecration Sunday," the culmination of a biblically based stewardship education and commitment emphasis called Consecrated Stewards that focuses on raising people in Christian discipleship, not just raising money for the work of the church.

To understand the Consecrated Stewards approach, you need to know that it is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. It is not based on the budgetary needs of the church, but on the desire to have each person grow in discipleship. Opportunity for growth in discipleship will take place during the Sundays September 2 through September 23.

• The personal witness of some of our members.
• Encouragement and resources for prayer.
• Celebration of the various ministries of our congregation.
• A series of Bible studies on Sunday morning, including a special Bible study on September 16 led by Pastor Perry Sukstorf will also be our guest proclaimer on Consecration Sunday.
• Consecration Sunday activities on September 23, including:
• Opportunity to make a faith-based commitment during the worship service.
• A Special fellowship and Celebration Luncheon for all the Christ Our Savior family.

The encouragement to commitment on Consecration Sunday takes place within the context of the morning worship service. Our Guest Leader will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, and then ask our attendees and members to respond to God's leading through a financial commitment that will enable our church's missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and around the world.

Every attendee and member who completes a response card does so voluntarily by attending morning worship on Consecration Sunday. We also urge people to attend who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card. Consecrated Stewards works with people where they are and when they are ready. Members make their commitments as a confidential act of worship. We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards.  

Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship.

Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in our Consecrated Stewards events.

Craig Holtzen

Council President &

Consecrated Stewards General Chair  

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Pastor Andy Keltner

Establishing a Trust

Last week I spoke with a lawyer. He asked me if I had a trust. He said I could protect my estate from taxes and make sure my resources were distributed according to my wishes if I had a trust. He suggested that this would be good stewardship. I can give you his name. This is a good idea.

This started me thinking about my estate and what I would leave to my heirs.   The truth is the most precious thing I wish to leave with my heirs is my faith in Christ. Jesus died for the sins of all mankind. He has called me by name. He will never leave me or forsake me or my children. I am God's precious and beloved child. This truth is what I wish to distribute to my heirs and my friends. I want them to be confident that they are the beloved children of God.   

This is the stewardship God desires. He wants us to use every gift and resource he freely gives to extend his kingdom and glorify His name. He wants us to establish a living trust. This trust is demonstrated by how we live and how we serve. I demonstrate the value of my faith in Christ to my heirs by my giving and service in his kingdom.

Paul talks about sowing and reaping in Galatians this is the way we can demonstrate that we have established a trust. [7] Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. [8] For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. [10] So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10 ESV)

Stewardship is about establishing a trust. We demonstrate our trust in Christ as we share our gifts. We demonstrate our trust in Christ as we share the reason for the hope we have.   As we invest our time and talent and resources in extending God's Kingdom we sow his truth and His word and we will reap a harvest of righteousness.   

It is our nature to sow to our own flesh. God transforms our nature through the suffering of Christ. He empowers us with his Spirit so that we can sow to the Spirit. We trust a God who keeps his promise. We will reap a harvest of eternal life. We do not give up and we do not grow weary in doing well. This is how we establish a trust.   Stewardship is using our resources to serve others and extend the Kingdom of God.

This month we will be involved in Consecrated Stewards.   I would ask you to establish a trust. You can do this by your service and testimony of Christ our Lord. Look at the legacy you leave to your heirs. Do they see in your actions and words that Jesus is your Lord? Sow to the Spirit and give God glory.    

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How to contact me: (Home) 913-837-5276; (Work) 913-780-7590; (Cell) 913-302-5282 (email) meickhoffpr@olatheschools.org or gmicough@hotmail.com

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