On the wall, by my desk, in my office, is a handwritten accounting of the Trinity Lutheran Church finances for 1989. We had arrived on October 22nd of that year. The handwriting was that of our meticulous church treasurer, Jan Allen. The total revenue for 1989 totaled 43,566 dollars and 82 cents. That included rent, Casey’s rebates, VBS offerings, Sunday School, offerings and the sale of hymnals. $105 of that amount was for benevolence.
Now some 26 years later there are 19 people left who were here in 1989. Now let’s be very clear, we are here today because they kept the lights on and believed against all odds that God would bring you here, and that God was not done with little Trinity Lutheran Church.
Last Sunday we gathered for our 2016 Annual Congregational Meeting. The Trinity miracle was on full display. In 2015 the people of Trinity Lutheran Church gave away $245,000! Catch your breath for a moment, and consider that figure. That is $671 a day for 365 days. No holidays from giving, no days off, every day of the 365 days of 2015 we gave away $671. Name a local cause or charity and the odds are good that we supported it. Name an international cause and the odds are good that we supported it. When disaster struck in our nation, or in the world, we were there.
In addition, we shared our buildings with 50 non-profits. We shared the gospel of Jesus Christ as our video sermons were watched across the globe by people we know and do not know. We raised a new roof, we rebuilt our memorial pond, we cared for our campus, and we paid off all of our existing debt. Miracles still do happen! God has richly blessed us and we believe that blessing comes with responsibility. We are Blessed to be a Blessing!
Last Sunday we approved the 2016 General Fund Budget. That budget totals $912,623. The TLC Miracle continues. God is with us and together we are changing our island, changing lives, and changing the world.
Every once in a while I take down Jan Allen’s handwritten budget report. It reminds me where we have come from. It reminds me of the faith of those who believed in the future. It reminds me that with God all things are possible.
Thanks for sharing the journey with me!
Pastor Jim
