October is stewardship month here at All Saints Evangelical Lutheran Church. The team will use the materials from the ELCA Churchwide Synod titled, “The Joy of Generosity: Generous lives. Joyful community. God’s work together.” Each week the focus will be on a different aspect of “The Joy of Generosity”.

This week our stewardship emphasis will explore “The Joy of Living in Community.” We are called together in joy by a God who has a soft spot for community.

One of Jesus’ most famous commandments to his followers is “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34).

Living together as All Saints Evangelical Lutheran Church, we strive to keep this commandment by loving each other in many ways. We have the Helping Hand Fund to help those who come to us in need. We keep people in our thoughts and prayers through the e-weekly newsletters and Sunday bulletins. We support families through our Food Pantry and Clothing Closet. We work to share small acts of kindness with others, whether it’s someone we know or someone new to us. We lovingly volunteer at church and in the community.

As you prepare for worship this weekend, think about how you have contributed to our congregation’s love for one another and benefited from this love. Think also about the important ways your gifts of money and time have made possible the ministries that help the congregation keep Jesus’ commandment.