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.