Letter from the Pastors
Dear friends,
Two Sundays ago, we heard an encouraging word from the second letter to the Thessalonians. Speaking in a cultural and religious context where believers were feeling discouraged and falling away from the Christian faith, the author says: “Stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us.” In the author’s view, this is not just one more command, one more duty, to fulfill on top of life’s responsibilities; rather, it’s a response to God’s own steadfast promise to us: “God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. For this purpose he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-15)
These days, holding fast is easier said than done. Over the last year, we’ve been challenged on several fronts. From economic uncertainty to political chaos, from broken church buildings to the declining status of church in society, we know that many of you are feeling discouraged, even crushed, by present circumstances.
Despite these challenges, we are so proud of the many ways that Augustana is holding fast and responding to the present moment. Together, we are meeting the challenges of our time: supporting migrants with material and legal support; providing hungry people with access to food; affirming our congregation’s commitment to full inclusion and racial equity; and caring for the earth with our solar panel installation. In all of these ways and so many more, we are joyfully standing firm in the gospel of Jesus Christ, through which God has called us and chosen us as God’s people in this place.
As we look ahead to 2026, we ask you to join us in continuing to hold fast to the life-giving way of Jesus. On Commitment Sunday on November 23, we will ask you to commit your time, money, and talent to standing firm as a community of faith in the coming year. We are eager to grow in 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 ensure that Augustana remains a true sanctuary for our neighborhood, where God’s boundless love is celebrated, vulnerable people are protected, and life-giving truth is spoken.
On Commitment Sunday, 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 households and the whole congregation. As a congregation, Augustana is continuing to fulfill its yearslong commitment to increase our mission support to the wider church. In 2026, we will increase our mission support by one percent of our annual congregational income. We are living out our commitment, even as costs rise, appliances break, and new opportunities for ministry demand our response. We ask that you prayerfully support this life-changing ministry by increasing your household support in 2026.
Together, we are continuing to stand firm in the tradition of faith, hope, and love that has been entrusted to us. In the year ahead, may we newly discover and discover anew the promise that holds us fast: you are chosen; you are loved; and our Lord Jesus himself will comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
Pastor Matt and Pastor Nancy
P.S. You may estimate your giving for 2026 on this online form.
Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park 