Harvey First Lutheran has 4 Easy ways to help support our Missions at First Lutheran Church.
1. Send a Check or Drop off at Church First Lutheran Church 1520 Advent St. Harvey, ND 58341 2. Text to Give from your smart phone GivText1st: 701-401-8636 3. Give Electronically through your bank. Call Karla at 701-324-2548 and she can get you set up. 4. Vanco - Open your photo page - point at QR Code - fill out information and make a donation. 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
Stewardship of our Bodily Health Paul writes, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?” 2 Corinthians 6:19 God has given each of us a physical body that, like an automobile, is a masterfully engineered, complex vehicle that carries us along our road of life. Like our cars, our bodies need attention and care to function optimally and bring us smoothly down the road of life. Of course, many of us have health problems for factors beyond our control, such as genetics, environment, and misfortune. With so many variables over which we have no control, we need to do our best with the variables that we can control. For June, dedicate yourselves to being a better steward of your body. √ GET PHYSICAL. A doctor can evaluate you and advise you on optimizing your health. √ MOVE IT! Even small amounts of exercise improve health and wellbeing. As your doctor how to get going. √ DIET. Not just eating to lose weight, but also eating for healthy living. Learn about the nutritional value of the foods that you now eat, and explore choices that are more healthful. √ STOP SMOKING. The number one preventable health risk, smoking causes cancers, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc. Enough said. √ SLEEP. Eight hours of shuteye does wonders for the body and mind. √ PRAY AND MEDITATE. Spiritual disciplines lower your stress, which improves physical health also. God gave us wonderful bodies to carry us through our life’s journey of discipleship. The better that we care for it, the more fruitful that our journey will be. (Source: Reverend Robert Blezard, Content Editor for www.stewardshipoflife.org, and serves as pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, MD) |
Gospel Seeds:
Western ND Synod June 2023 Inviting Generosity! So much has been written by and for fundraisers about “the ask.” There is a bit of overhyped mythology around asking someone for a gift or gift commitment. First, let’s review how we get to the “ask,” what I prefer to call the “invitation.” The first step is that we must identify who we are inviting to be generous. In the congregational context, that’s pretty easy—it’s our members (or act-like members). Next, we want to inform these prospective donors what we are raising money for: replacing the roof? The parking lot? A new Bible study curriculum? The third—and I would argue most important—step is to inspire our prospective donors by linking the request to a vision of enhanced ministry. Tell the story of how someone’s life will be changed for the better as a result of a donor’s generosity. Finally, it is time to invite that generosity. Your first job is to listen to the donor. What are they passionate about? Is this a project or ministry that they would be excited to support? If you are inviting a major gift, a challenge gift, or a lead gift for a campaign, it is important to meet the prospective donor (and their spouse) in person. Use a case statement to inform and inspire them. Then share a proposal which invites them to prayerfully consider a specific gift or a specific range of gifts: “…would you prayerfully consider a gift of $10,000?” As you read that out loud, pause afterwards to let them consider your request. Let the donor break the silence. Here’s the most important thing to remember: your job is not to get a “yes.” It is, rather, to get a decision. We are not selling them anything, we are inviting them to be a part of something important. As Henri Nouwen in his book “A Spirituality of Fundraising” writes, "We do not need to worry about the money. Rather, we need to worry about whether, through the invitation we offer the donor and the relationship we develop with them, they will come closer to God." Don’t forget that you are not alone in this endeavor. My partner Pete Reuss and I are available for you to call, Zoom, email or text with questions or to simply talk through a visit with a donor in your congregation. Our contact information is on the ND Synod website under “staff.” Go forth and invite generosity! It is life changing for the donor AND for your ministry. Paul Marsh, GSB Fundraising Synod Partner |