Brothers and sisters, we must always thank God for you. This is only right because your faithfulness is growing by leaps and bounds, and the love that all of you have for each other is increasing.
2 Thessalonians 1:3
The journey to become a deeply committed Christian means we are deliberate about growing in our faith. Daily scripture reading and prayer, Bible study and Christian fellowship are key ways to know God and grow deeper in relationships. We can deepen those relationships by being a part of a small group or class or attending a spiritual retreat or seminar.
And by learning more about yourself and how God designed you by completing the enneagram and/or spiritual gifts assessments we can discover how God gifted us and what God’s purpose is for our lives. We invite you to grow in your faith by doing at least three of the things listed on your covenant card.
HOW WILL I COVENANT TO GROW IN 2022?
Jesus answered, “It’s written, You will worship the Lord Your God and serve only him.”
Luke 4:8
Each week as we worship, we seek to honor God. We give thanks, sing songs of praise, and meet God in our moments of prayer. We then listen for God’s Word through song, scripture, and sermon. Finally, we respond with our tithes and offerings and our renewed commitment to serve God in our daily lives. We are grateful that during this time of pandemic that we have the ability to stay connected to God and each other by joining in worship onsite and online.
HOW WILL I COVENANT TO WORSHIP IN 2022?
Then they will reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?” Then He will answer, “I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for Me.”
Matthew 25:44-45
We are the body of Christ, called to go out into the world and care for those in need by giving our time, talents, treasure to our neighbors. Whether by providing SOS backpacks, Angel Tree or Operation Christmas Child boxes we serve. Jesus calls us to clothe the naked and feed the hungry. We do that through Feed the Need giving out food or Room in the Inn housing the homeless every week, where we have opportunities to demonstrate Christ’s love in tangible ways and make a difference in our community. We also become servant volunteers when we serve in Project Transformation or with our children or youth or find our place to serve at Good Shepherd in the many ways that are listed on our SERVE opportunities.
HOW WILL I COVENANT TO SERVE IN 2022?
You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.
2 Corinthians 9:11-12
We give as a tangible expression of thanksgiving to God, as an act of worship , and as an act of faith and trust in God. We give because we recognize that all of life is a gift from God. But we also give to invest in and make possible the ministries of our church. Nothing happens without your generous gifts your financial resources.
Your annual giving and returning an Estimate of Giving card is an expression of worship and an investment in the lives of every person impacted by Good Shepherd’s ministry. The scripture calls us to give a tithe - our first tenth - to God. Some have already achieved this goal and even moved beyond it; some are still trying to reach a tithe. What next faithful step are you being called to make?
HOW WILL I COVENANT TO GIVE IN 2022?
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.
Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus calls us to share our faith with others, both by deeds, and words. How do we make disciples? Point people to Jesus, invite them into Christ’s community, and walk with them through a life of discipleship. We can do that through sharing social media posts, having conversations with my friends and family. Find ways through our actions to bless or neighbors and co-workers. And by inviting our friends who don’t have a church home to find a place to belong at Good Shepherd. People will typically feel much more comfortable attending a new church when they already know someone there. It can help take away the anxiety of having to navigate around on their own, or the fear of sitting by themselves.
HOW WILL I COVENANT TO SHARE IN 2022?