In 2025, we will increase Augustana’s mission support by one percent of our congregational income. We ask that you prayerfully support this life-changing ministry by increasing your financial giving by one percent of your household income.
Dear friends,
Faith and fear cannot live in the same house. This is the wisdom that we learn from two widows in our recent Scripture readings (1 Kings 17:8-16; Mark 12:38-44). Despite living precariously close to death, these faithful women show a remarkable trust in God’s promises to provide for them. Because of their faith, their fear is cast out, freeing them to trust that a new day will dawn.
By the example of their lives, these widows show forth God’s promises, inviting us into a similarly bold faith in uncertain times. The future is always marked by uncertainty, whether it’s around personal health struggles, financial instability, or the outcome of the presidential election. Even in uncertain times, God invites us to move forward in faith, not fear, because we are sustained by God’s faithfulness.
What kind of house do we want to build in the season ahead? As your pastors, we ask you to join us as we lean into God’s promises and show forth God’s faithfulness to our neighbors. This Sunday, November 24 is Commitment Sunday at Augustana, and we will ask you to commit your time, money, and talent to building up Augustana in the coming year. We are eager to grow in faith and generosity as a congregation, making Augustana a place where Hyde Parkers can experience both the highs and lows of life with a joyful and liberating faith. Your generosity will strengthen Augustana as a true sanctuary for our neighborhood, where God’s boundless love is celebrated, vulnerable people are protected, and life-giving truth is spoken.
During worship, we will ask you to bring forward your commitments to the altar. This practice is a reminder that our commitments are an act of worship. In gratitude for God’s faithfulness, we give back to God the first fruits of our resources. This principle applies both to individuals and the whole congregation. Augustana is slowly increasing its mission support so that we can give 10 percent of our income to God’s mission through the wider church. In 2025, we will increase Augustana’s mission support by one percent of our congregational income. We ask that you prayerfully support this life-changing ministry by increasing your financial giving by one percent of your household income.
Faith and fear cannot live in the same house. Where the Spirit of Christ is present, fear is cast out. Let us pray for this Spirit among us. May we faithfully move forward, even in uncertain times, trusting in God’s promises and committed to our life together.
Pastor Matt and Pastor Nancy
Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park 