Pastor’s Corner 12-7-2025
Hello Spirit of Life,
As your finance committee, we’d like to share a few words about this season in our lives together and about this Sunday’s readings. Each year at Spirit of Life, we invite members to submit an Estimate of Giving (EOG) for the upcoming year. These estimates help us plan our ministry and prepare the budget that will be presented for congregational approval in February 2026. Your EOG is a vital part of our shared decision-making. It helps us understand how best to staff and support the ministries that shape our community. When you submit an EOG, you help us manage our resources responsibly and plan effectively in response to God’s call.
This Sunday, we will hear the prophet Isaiah (11:1-10) talk about a future "shoot [that shall] come out from the stump of Jesse (Isa. 11:1). Christians traditionally see this prophecy fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Still, we honor all faithful people who, with their hearts, minds, and resources, supported God's work to keep God's light shining in a dark world. Although progress is slow, God's people have created more "equity for the oppressed" (Isa 11:4). When you support our church, you continue and strengthen this long-standing and ongoing work in the world.
In our gospel reading (Matt 3:1-12), we see that John takes on the mantle of Isaiah when he prepares the way for the Lord (Matt 3:4). As the finance committee, we also aim to prepare a path for the Lord. That preparation involves planning, and we need your EOG to plan effectively.
You can act right now! Email our financial secretary at lstolin@comcast.net to send him your 2026 EOG. You can ask him to increase your giving by a certain percentage or to continue planning at the same level of giving as before. So far, people are increasing their pledge by an average of 9.4%. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has given us their EOG
If you didn't give us an EOG last year, please consider beginning the practice this year. Last year, we received 42 EOGs. Our goal this year is to have 50. The burden is intended to be light and flexible as needed.
We hope you will consider intentionally joining us in our effort to continue God's story in Gladstone and Clackamas County. Please help us prepare a pathway for the Lord by beginning, continuing, or increasing your estimate of giving. We are grateful to those who have sent their EOG to Loren. Please help us to meet our goals.
In Christ's name,
Loren Stolin
Annelle Karlstad
Clinton Lindgren
Gordon Merseth
Doug Boylen
Pr. Joshua Kingsley