Counting Our Blessings

At a meeting of the Church Council and Board of Elders at Holy Word on September 21, 2003, we came up with a list of all of the ways in which our Lord has blessed us. The following list is the result of that brainstorming session.

• We have the love, forgiveness, and promises of God in His Word and Sacraments.
• God's Word is preached and taught faithfully.
• Our congregation is growing.
• We have dedicated and talented called workers.
• Our vicar program is active and productive.
• We have the opportunity to evangelize; the fields are ripe.
• We have strong lay leadership.
• We have a God-fearing, talented staff minister.
• We have the wisdom of experienced Christians.
• Our members have many talents (artistic, construction, business, teaching, technical, etc.).
• We have a school that provides Bible-based training and a safe environment for our children.
• Our teachers give selflessly to provide a spectrum of Christ-centered opportunities to our youth.
• We have supportive, involved women in our congregation who volunteer in numerous ways.
• We have talented musicians to support praising God.
• Our members serve one another in love.
• We have numerous bible studies and lay teachers.
• We have many spiritually strong families.
• We have been abundantly blessed with babies and young children.
• Our secretaries serve freely.
• We have tremendous property and facilities with which to serve God.
• We pray for each other.
• We have a humble Pastor with spiritual insight and God-gifted preaching and teaching abilities.
• We have received much mission support from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
• Through our synod, we have been provided with thoroughly trained preachers and teachers.
• We live in a country of great wealth and have a constitutional right to freedom of worship.
• We have fellowship in the body of Christ.
• Volunteers willingly care for our properties.
• We have high school youth that are active in our church.
• We have on-going basic Bible classes.
• Our new sanctuary was created with deep and wide-spread support from many individuals.
• We have a volunteer-supported tape ministry and web site to facilitate sharing the Gospel.
• Our members have given generous financial support.
• We have an outreach-oriented mindset.
• We have a reputation as a thriving, Bible-centered ministry.
• Our staff is zealous for God's truth.
• We have a beautiful volunteer-restored pipe organ.
• Our Sunday-school is staffed by volunteers.
• We have the blessing of sister congregations in Austin, in Central Texas, and in the South.
• Many solid spiritual leaders have come from our congregation to serve God.