Sharings From Sharon
- Sharings News Feed | What's this?
- Sharings From Sharon as a pdf.
- Sharings From Sharon Email Newsletter.
Money Matters
Our financial stewardship is an important aspect of our faith life and our discipleship, as individuals and as a congregation. Here is the current information concerning our money ministry, if you have questions, please contact the church office.
Financial Stewardship needed for monthly base-line expenses on average: $87,569.
| Date | Operating Offering | Simply Giving | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| {Date} | {Operating_Offering} | {Simply_Giving} | {Total} |
$21,892 is the average amount of financial stewardship needed weekly.
Your financial offering is important to our mission. Sharon Lutheran Church, by God’s grace... Created to worship; Called to teach; Committed to serve. Having been blessed by God, may we grow in faith and become people of generosity, giving to support the work of God through Sharon Lutheran, as we worship, teach and serve.
Sharon Lutheran Church Rummage Sale & Silent Auction
May 15 and May 16. Silent Auction @ 1:00pm on Saturday, May16. Volunteers are needed for Rummage Sale set-up which begins the week of May 11th and cashiers for the days of the sale as well as take-down after the sale. Look for sign-up sheets in the narthex.
If you are unable to sign up for a specific time, come whenever you are available. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! We will accept donations for the sale at Sharon Church Beginning May 11. If you need any larger items picked up, call the church office.
Simply Giving Basket Give-A-Way
It is easier than ever to sign up for Simply Giving. You can either use the forms that can be found in each of the worship spaces or in south hall. You can also sign up on the Sharon Lutheran website (see link below). To encourage you to consider signing up now, you will be automatically entered into a drawing for a gift basket filled with gardening supplies. Thanks to Pam Elmquist for providing this basket and choosing the included items. Please sign up by April 11th in order to be entered into the drawing. The basket will be on display up until the date is given away (April 12th). Both current Simply Giving members as well as new members will be included in the drawing.
Simply Giving Form | Online Gift Giving
Sharon Lutheran Youth Fundraiser
Applebee's Breakfast. Back by popular demand. Tickets on sale: Sunday, April 26th, Wednesday, April 29th, Sunday, May 3rd, and Wednesday, May 6th. Tickets: $5.00.
Safe Kid's Sunday
The Sharon Lutheran Health Ministry team will be sponsoring a Safe Kids’ Sunday on May 3, from 9 am – 12 noon. A Safe Kids team from Altru will have a booth with summer safety information as well as life jackets and bike helmets for sale. The Grand Forks Police Department will also be present and will be making Child IDs. The Child ID form can be completed at home and brought to the church Sunday morning to save waiting time. The Child IDs are produced at no charge. Please join us in making this a safe summer for our children!
Second Offering
Today, and at all our worship services through May 6th, we will receive a “Second Offering.” Here is why: As we approach the summer months, we are asking people to consider additional gifts to Sharon. Our worship attendance is lower in summer than during the rest of the year, and our offerings are lower as well. By receiving additional gifts now, we hope to meet all of our operating expenses during the summer months, without relying on the Fulfilling the Dream operating reserve account. We also hope to meet our 2009 pledge to the Eastern North Dakota synod in a more timely way.
Although giving has been strong in March and so far in April, it was not as strong in January and February, and our monthly expenses exceeded our monthly giving each of the first two months of 2009. As of March 31, our year-to-date expenses were almost $17,000 more than the gifts received as of that date. We were able to meet our expense obligations by delaying or cutting expenditures, closely timing our payments, and using limited cash carryover from previous years.
In approving our 2009 budget, the congregation agreed to take on the challenge of increasing our giving for current ministries by eight percent. Through God's generosity, and the faithful commitment of the people of Sharon, we can meet that challenge.
Pastor Deanna
Members of Sharon should have received a letter from Pastor Deanna Wildermuth, telling you that she has accepted a call to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mercer Island, Washington. Her last day at Sharon will be May 17, 2009. We thank Pastor Deanna for her ministry at Sharon, and wish her well in her new position. Look for information in upcoming bulletins about an event to be held to honor and thank Pastor Deanna and her family.
Welcome To Baptism
Information about Baptism will be offered on the first Sunday of the month from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. for those anticipating a baptism (scheduled or not yet scheduled).
"Welcome To Baptism" is intended for:
- Those expecting the birth of a child
- Those who have recently given birth
- Older children not yet baptized
- Adults not yet baptized
- Family members of those to be baptized
- Sponsors for those being baptized
"Welcome To Baptism" is designed to answer questions about baptism including:
- What is Baptism?
- What happens at the service of Baptism?
- What is my role as a parent, sponsor, family member of the baptized?
- Nursery will be available upon request. If a baptism in your family has already happened, those involved are also welcome to participate.