Harvey First Lutheran has 4Easy ways to help support our Missions at First Lutheran Church. 1. Use this QR code to schedule when and what amount you wish to give from your personal bank account, credit card or debit card. You can change the amount or schedule at any time from your phone using the myVanco.com Mobil App.
2. Send a Check or Drop off at Church First Lutheran Church 1520 Advent St. Harvey, ND 58341
3. Text 2 GiveInstructions: Use Text To Give – Send text to 833-376-1678 with dollar amount in the text message field (1 = $1.00; 50 = $50; etc.). First timers will receive a link to tap on & register your contact and payment information.
You will receive a text or e-mail receipt to text your offering anytime you wish.
The church office will receive notice of your giving.
Future giving – text the same number which is specifically assigned to First Lutheran Church of Harvey.
4. Give Electronically through your bank. Call Karla at 701-324-2548 and she can get you set up.
We hope you enjoy these new way to share your generosity, and we thank you for helping our Missions at Harvey First Lutheran.
LIVING GENEROUSLY ABUNDANCE
What do we mean when we say that we serve a God of abundance? In a world where so few people have so much and so many people have so little, can we truly claim an abundant God? Various forms of the word “abundance” appear 146 times in the Bible, depicting a God who shares. However, the Bible also describes the abundance of humanity, which can be used for good or for ill.
Who is this God of abundance? The psalms and the prophets sing and shout of God’s abundant character. First and foremost, God abounds in steadfast love for God’s creation (Psalm 5:7). This powerful love – with no beginning and no end – is the foundation of the relationship between God and God’s people. God is love, and through the lens of God’s love, we see the rest of God’s character. God is abundant in power (Psalm 147:5), forgiveness (Isaiah 55:7), mercy (Psalm 51:1), and goodness (Psalm 145:7).
God provides for God’s people, lavishly sharing God’s abundance with creation. The psalmist celebrates how God richly supplies food and water to Israelites wandering the wilderness (Psalm 105:40). God showers the earth with rain, watering the earth and giving growth to the seeds (Psalm 65:10). God offers salvation, wisdom, knowledge, and the promise of an abundant life (Isaiah 33:6; John 10:10).
However, we cannot ignore that God also blesses many people with wealth and prosperity. Sometimes this promise of prosperity is connected with the people’s relationship with God (Deuteronomy 30:9). Thus, some people preach God’s abundance in hopes that believing in God will provide them with monetary wealth and stability. Yet, as we look more at the text, we see that one’s experience of God’s abundance is not contingent upon one’s faith, but rather the generosity of others.
God provides to each person different skills and possessions to be shared and used for the good of the whole world. As individuals, we may not have enough, but together, we have more than enough. Gathered together as a community to share our time, talents, and treasurers, we experience the gift of God’s abundance.
As we live in community, we have the responsibility to recognize the provider of this abundance. We, like the people of Israel sharing their abundance of wealth and skills to build the temple, join with Solomon in declaring, “O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own” (1Chronicles 29:16). We recognize that God is the creator, sustainer, and giver of all things. We are only the stewards.
Rural Plunge - Wartburg Students in WND In January, our synod hosted three students from Wartburg Theological Seminary. Unfortunately, we showed them a bit of the worst part of our winter weather, BUT we also showed them exciting ministries in our synod like campus ministry at Minot State and one of our four outdoor ministry locations at Camp of the Cross.
They were able to learn about our rich history and heritage by visiting the MHA Nation Interpretive Center in New Town and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn.
They saw firsthand the importance of the energy industry during visits to the Freedom Mine, Antelope Valley Station, and Dakota Gasification Synfuels Plant near Beulah. And, they were able to experience agriculture and rural life spending time with host families and pastors on farms and ranches across the synod.