Paul planted the seeds, Apollos watered them, but God made them sprout and grow. What matters isn't those who planted or watered, but God who gives the growth. The one who plants is just as important as the one who waters. They have a common purpose. For we are God’s servants [God’s co-workers]; you are God's garden, God's building. (1 Corinthians 3:6-9)  

God opens our hearts to receive God’s abundant mercy and steadfast love as we tend the garden of faith this season. We have been planting seeds, staying grounded in Christ and rooted in the cross, and nurturing the faith sprouting in us and around us. As Paul writes to the Corinthians, God gives the growth.

We have seen how we thrive as a church community when we embrace the diversity of all God’s people, and God’s unconditional love “gives the growth.” Still, God calls us to be co-workers with God, have a common purpose, and share in the planting and the watering.

Beloved, God’s garden is growing rapidly at ELC, with more opportunities for community, faith formation, and hope for a hurting world that is needed more than ever. We know Edgebrook Lutheran Church can do our part to tend the garden of faith through our time, skills, and resources.

We invite you to make a pledge for 2027 year in faithful response to all that God has generously given you. Please help us reach our $350,000 initial goal, and consider helping us move toward our $450,000 challenge goal for 2027.

Stewardship Commitment Sunday is October 18th, and we will seek to meet the challenge as we gather our 2027 pledges, bless them, and offer them to God in worship.

To reach this goal, please consider increasing your giving to ELC. If our households increased giving by just $2 each week, we could meet our initial goal. If our households increased giving by $25 each week, we could easily rise to meet our challenge goal. Some households may have the resources to give more, and, as we saw with the recent capital campaign, together we can have a lifelong impact as we partner with God’s work in the world.

Increasing your gift protects meaningful worship, pastoral and congregational care, and compassion for the vulnerable and marginalized. Your gift enables staff to do their work without personal financial anxiety. Remember, even increasing your donation by $1 each day can make a difference by sustaining the common purpose we share: tending the garden of faith.

Our church council and stewardship teams are already increasing our generosity to reach our $350,000 goal and are moving us closer to our $450,000 challenge goal. Will you join us in this celebration and this opportunity to give thanks for all that God has done for you and for us?

We encourage you to pray and listen for how God is “giving the growth” this season. Please return your pledge card during worship, between now and November 15th, or pledge using the link below at www.edgebrooklutheran.org/commitment.

This fall, we will use mail, e-mail, and time in worship to share information with you.  Please make a special effort to participate during this important time in our congregation’s life.

Thank you, and may a spirit of generosity be with you.

In Christ,

The ELC Stewardship Team