By John Drach:

What does it mean to me—Growing in Faith as it relates Stewardship at First Lutheran

Fall is the time for emphasis on Stewardship. Stewardship, to me, means the responsible management of the time, talents, and treasures that have been entrusted to me by God. Generally, more focus is made on treasures but time and talents are of equal importance. An item I read recently, noted that William Colgate (the maker of toothpaste) when he began the Colgate company in 1806, determined to give 10 percent of the company’s income to the church. The Colgate company was successful and his donation was raised to 20 percent, and then 30 percent, 40 percent, and finally 50 percent of the company’s income was given to the church. To this day, Colgate toothpaste leads sales of toothpaste. Really amazing, as we all consider how we can support First Lutheran financially in 2025.

Growing in faith to me has a number of components that are all connected to me, myself. To me, it begins with going to church and becoming connected. Connected, to me, means building friendships and relationships. Going to church to be with my friends and visit with my friends, yes fellowship. It also means to me to serve and First Lutheran has numerous ways to serve—volunteering, being on committees and boards, assisting in worship and just offering to help. To me, growing in faith also involves prayer, being curious to the point of asking hard questions. We all have those difficult circumstances which we have to go through. I find it through those circumstances, my faith has grown. Growing in faith also means to me the giving or the making of monetary contributions to my church, First Lutheran.

In summary, I find ‘Gowing in Faith’ involves many steps of Stewardship. Gowing in Faith means to me the giving of myself-the time, the talents, and the treasures that have been entrusted to me as a person to my church, First Lutheran, and also to my community.