We have all been shaped by God for many things - including our faithful giving. As we prepare for our annual Giving Sunday on November 19th we invite you to pause and reflect on devotions from several Immanuel members.

-Pastor Paul Nelson

 

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Friday, November 3, 2023

Commit to the Lord all that you do, and your plans will be successful. -1st Proverbs 16:3

Immanuel has profoundly impacted my life and family over the past 18 years. After graduating from Luther College in May 2005, we set out to explore various congregations. Our first and only stop was Immanuel, where we immediately felt at home. It became a cornerstone in our young adult and parenting years.

Although we initially lived in Eagan, we commuted across the metro to Immanuel until we could move to Eden Prairie, enabling our son Gavin to attend Eden Prairie Schools. Closer proximity allowed us to actively participate in the community: leading musical programs, singing in the choir, accompanying worship, facilitating a young adult's faith group, and chairing the pastoral call committee that brought Pastor Angela to Immanuel.

I believe in the importance of tithing and sharing my talents as expressions of faith. These actions strengthen my connection with our faith community and foster personal growth. Through music, I deepen my bond with the congregation, creating an atmosphere for others to connect with their spirituality. Music transcends language, touching hearts in unique and profound ways. Witnessing its power to unite and inspire is a fulfilling experience. Tithing, more than a financial transaction, is a spiritual investment that nurtures gratitude, selflessness, and a deeper connection with my faith. This generosity gives purpose and fulfillment, knowing that my resources make a meaningful impact not only within the church but also beyond our faith community's boundaries.

Tom Getchius

 

Saturday, November 4, 2023

When I think about generosity, there are two distinct circumstances in my life upon which I reflect. I look to those that guided my path as I was growing up. Those whom I admired. Specifically, I look to the professor I worked under in graduate school. His generosity to me went beyond what I would consider typical for a student-professor relationship. The time he took to work with me and teach me. The personal time he spent with me outside of an academic environment, the conferences and speaking engagements he provided me, the personal friendship, and the support to ensure that I was funded appropriately to be successful. To this day I deeply appreciate him and his contributions to me, allowing me to stand on my own. He applied the “teach a man to fish” approach, and that has more than paid dividends in my life. Without his generosity I do not believe I would have been able to be where I am today.

The second major circumstance is around a darker time in my life. Specifically, this time was one of the last events for my dad as he was fighting his battle with pancreatic cancer, one which he unfortunately lost. The lesson in generosity he provided was more subtle, but none-the-less, quite powerful. His teaching was one based on humility. He maintained his job until the time he entered the hospital, never to come home again, to ensure that there was what he felt would be sufficient income to support my mom and set up as positive of financial position as he felt he could for her after he was gone. There were so many times when he was far too ill from his cancer treatments, both chemo and radiation, but still he battled on to provide. Never would he let on the level of his sacrifice. Never would he accept being told that he should think of himself instead of trying to take care of Mom.

These occurrences in my life help shape how I choose to give based upon the gifts which I am blessed.

Jason Christopherson

 

Monday, November 6, 2023

I believe that just as selfishness and greed can shape us for the worse, giving and generosity can shape us for the better. I know how much I have been shaped for the better by the giving and the example of others, first and foremost my parents.

My mom and dad believed in giving to God as a foundational expression of their faith and an indispensable discipline in their lives. Their giving, a 10% tithe of all they made, helped define how they lived life and what they valued. Because it meant so much for them to give to God and bless others through their offering, they didn’t waste time wanting things they didn’t have. They weren’t miserable or mad that they might not have the luxuries others had. For them, there was a freeing joy in giving, and not letting oneself get sucked into the world’s materialism, and they did their best to teach that practice of giving, to share that joy of generosity, with their children. With me.

I cannot count how many times we were told as kids that we weren’t able to have the coolest fashions or the most popular shoes because, a) we didn’t have the money to spend on things like that, and b) it's not things that make life good, it’s the love we share. There are times back then when I didn’t appreciate what they were trying to teach me, but today I thank God that they were so faithful in teaching me that life isn’t as good as what you get, it’s as good as what you give.

I invite you to join me in intentionally giving to God by making a pledge to give in 2024. Planned giving is how we make giving a priority in our lives. Planned giving is how we embrace our belief that God has shaped us for giving, and that we are shaped by giving. The world would have us believe that we find fulfillment in what we get, planned giving helps us live into this deeper truth, we find joy and fulfillment by what we give.

Pastor Paul Nelson

 

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

As parents of three children at Immanuel my wife Jenny and I strive to instill a sense of authentic generosity as a cornerstone of our values and faith. Personally, I’ve been inspired by two particular people that have shown me how to faithfully and joyfully give. They are Joan Halper and Jenny Gruendler.

Joan, a family friend from my childhood, and Jenny, a family friend and Godmother to my children, share some wonderful and amazing similarities. They live their faith every day and through normal conversation make it clear that their lives are blessed by their relationship with the Lord. They both happily share their blessings with others through gifts of time and resources. When I was growing up, I personally received Joan’s support as an inspirational, faithful, and generous adult role model and now Jenny is fulfilling the same role for my children.

In addition to our regular giving to Immanuel through Simply Giving, a tradition that we’ve embraced within our family to encourage generosity is that each child chooses a charity for us to support on their birthday. Through this tradition each child has an opportunity to focus on the needs of others and make a difference for a cause they care about. Some of the causes we’ve supported include PROP, Pacific Ocean clean up, Make a Wish, rainforest restoration, and the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center. 

As I reflect on the topic of giving its apparent to me that one’s mindset of selfless generosity is critical. In all of my shared examples the underlying intention was to make a positive impact through investment of time and resources. By approaching giving as an opportunity to improve other’s lives, and then acting on that intention, we can collectively share the Lord’s blessings where they are needed most.

Brian Naslund

 

Thursday, November 9, 2023

As people of God, we are created to give, to serve, to share, and to love. We are at our best, when we do are doing these things. We are shaped by giving to God's work!

On All Saints Day, I am reminded of my hero. A hero is someone who inspires others, who gives you the courage to strive for your goals, someone who never gives up on you, who always gives you the courage to keep trying. Someone who always puts others first and is there for you. A hero is someone who inspires you and teaches you how to do the right thing. My hero is my grandmother, Margaret.

My grandmother was one of the most giving people I know. She was always there to support others with a helping hand and/or baked goods. She was so proud to share that she had made cookies for the local food shelf. After she was not able to be a part of the quilting group, she would go over to cheer them on with kind words and cookies or bars from a new recipe. She was a wonderful example of how important it is to share our gifts.

It is when I am volunteering and sharing my gifts that I feel at my best. I know that my grandmother and I have passed this important message to my son, David. He is always the first one to make sure that even when we are home watching the church service online that we have our weekly offering ready to mail.

I invite you to join me in intentionally giving to God by making a pledge to give in 2024. Planned giving is how we make giving a priority in our lives. Planned giving is how we embrace our belief that God has shaped us for giving, and that we are shaped by giving. The world would have us believe that we find fulfillment in what we get. Planned giving helps us live into this deeper truth, we find joy and fulfillment by what we give.

Darla Nemec

 

Friday, November 10, 2023

“It’s better to give than receive.”

I understand why that is said, especially this time of year. But why should one act—giving—be better than the other? After all, they are mirror images of the same transaction. To give, there has to be a recipient; to receive, someone has to give. How can the same activity have a good and not so good side? Maybe we think of the greatest gift we’ve received: God’s grace and forgiveness. Truly, a gift that out shines anything else. If we are made in God’s image, perhaps only way to act is to replicate—as best we can—God’s act of giving. That is the best we can do. And we can never reciprocate to God, can never give a better gift to Him. [God is notoriously hard to shop for].

Thus the “better” way is to give to each other. Our time, talents and tangible things are all we have. Giving to others is a way to become closer to God.

Jim Andreen

 

Saturday, November 11, 2023

We often hear stewardship described as the "Three T's" ... the time, talents, and treasures God entrusts to us. Our mission, then, should we accept it, is to joyfully and generously share those gifts with others.

As a retiree, time has become irrelevant as "every day is Saturday", which allows me to volunteer is several service organizations and community projects. I now know the prickly sensation of pulling buck thorn from our community parks. I also know that excitement as someone yells "BINGO" from our tent as we sell cards at the fall fund raiser for PROP. I rejoice as a service dog is matched with a disabled person through our efforts at Schooner Days and Lion's Corn Feed events.

Although I don't sing or play a musical instrument, I am talented at cooking up a mean pot of wild rice soup. How fun to deliver a container to a senior shut-in and sit for a time of conversation and shared memories. And what words could describe the sense of achievement as Idil or Awad learn new English words in our ESL classes. The courage and determination they exhibit as they embrace a new life in America is admirable.

"Store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can destroy"; nothing can destroy the treasured letter I received from Jonaton as he thanked me for the goat his family now owns, providing not only milk, but a source of income (Compassion Intnt'l.). Nothing can destroy the hugs of gratitude I receive from those sitting down to a hot meal at Loaves and Fishes or those receiving food from our food shelf. I'm moved by the tears in Richard's eyes as he puts on his 'new-to-him' warm winter jacket at Union Gospel Mission. These are riches money can't buy and thieves can't steal.

"Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for the least of these, you did it unto me." (Matt. 25:40)

Maggie Bloomquist

 

Monday, November 13, 2023

When I think about giving, I think about my dad, Dr. Richard Gowen. Throughout his life, my dad exemplified every aspect of giving for me.  My dad spent his life working in academia and research. He was an accomplished person who taught electrical engineering at the Air Force Academy, conducted research for the Apollo and Skylab programs, and then served as president at two South Dakota universities after he left the Air Force. In retirement, my dad worked tirelessly to serve the community at church and in economic development.

My dad set an amazing example in how he shared his time, talent, and treasure. He was always on the go and enriched the lives of students, colleagues, and friends in his life. No matter what he was doing or how busy he was, he always made the time to serve, to listen and offer advice, or to do just one more thing for someone. He made his life about giving and serving.

I’ve worked hard to model my life after my dad’s. By following my father’s example, I’m motivated to live to a higher standard and give more to those around me. I’ve learned to volunteer and to get outside of my comfort zone in sharing my talents. Like my dad, I do my best to say yes to every need and help where I can.

As I was driving my youngest son, Aiden, back to college this fall, he told me that he was going to be like ‘Pop.’ We talked about all the ways that he was going to be like his ‘Pop’ – smart, caring, patient, friendly and kind. As I was touched by my son’s admiration for his ‘Pop,’ I smiled and thought this is the perfect example of how my dad made an impact on all those who knew him and how that example reverberates through multiple generations. My dad was truly a gift.

A gift opens doors; it gives access to the great. - Proverbs 18:16

Kerry Larson

 

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

When we think about giving, we think about it as more than something we do, it is something that shapes who we are and who we strive to be every day. Sharing the gifts and blessings that we enjoy every day also brings us closer to God and who God has called us to be. All of the ways in which we have been blessed come from God and therefore we believe these blessings are meant to be shared with others. When we give not only do we feel closer to God, we also feel a stronger sense of community both within our Church and outside of it. Like God will always be there for us, we have the opportunity through giving to be there for others.

We want to teach our children the importance of this by modeling it. We want them to see us giving not only monetarily, but also giving our time and talents. In this busy season of life, it can be difficult to move focus away from our own lives and the things that happen to us each day.

Giving reminds us that our focus should not be on ourselves, rather our focus should be on serving and giving back the way God intends us to do. Giving makes us feel closer to others and we believe this is important in how we want to live our lives. A feeling of connectedness to the community we live in and beyond is something we value.

Steve and Krista Berger