In Ephesians 4:12 Paul writes that God blesses the church with gifts and abilities in order:  “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”  As we’ve begun a new year, welcomed new members to our church council, and started to seek out people to take on tasks within the congregation, I have been so pleased to see the gifts of God identified in our people, and the willingness to serve on behalf of many.  We are blessed with these people and talents, and we have great opportunities before us.  I was reminded of a piece I read about working in the church:

A Job vs. A Ministry

Someone has said there is a huge difference between having a job at church and having a ministry at church.
… If you are doing it because no one else will, it’s a job.  If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it’s a ministry.
… If you’re doing it just well enough to get by, it’s a job.  If you’re doing it to the best of your ability, it’s a ministry.
… If you’ll do it only so long as it doesn’t interfere with other
activities, it’s a job.  If you’re committed to staying with it even when it means letting go of other things, it’s a ministry.
… It’s hard to get excited about a job.  It’s almost impossible not to get excited about a ministry.
An average church is filled with people doing jobs.  A great church is filled with people involved in ministry.
from Mickey Anders, The Beginning of Ministry

I really do believe that God would like us to be a great church, with many people involved in ministry.  That is, we can be a congregation known, not because of our size, or our building, or our location, but because of the way people see us love one another, care for God’s people and God’s creation, and reflect God’s grace and light in our neighborhood and world.

In Christ,

Pastor John Twiton

The Lutheran World Relief exhibit “Remember Me: Voices of the Silenced in Columbia”  is on display at Evangelical Lutheran in Mt. Horeb this weekend.  Saturday from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday morning 8:00 to noon.  The exhibit runs the length of the narthex hallway near the sanctuary, plan to spend a few minutes this weekend reading the displays and viewing the art work.

For more information about the exhibit visit:  http://remember.lwr.org

The Bible is filled with practical and relevant wisdom on saving, spending, debt and even investing. Whether your are well-off or struggling with money, Financial Peace University will unpack how these timeless truths apply to your life today. You’ll learn how to beat debt, build wealth and live like never before.

Attend the 13-week program starting on January 27, 2011 and ending May 5, 2011 (excluding March 31 and April 21, 2011) for $100/family. Classes will be held in fellowship hall from 6:30-8:30 PM.

The January 27th class is FREE – attend for to see if the program is right for you!

For more information or to sign up for the program, call the church office at (608) 437-5012 or Chris at (608) 467-5990. To learn more about Financial Peace University and to sign up online for the ELC’s program, visit www.daveramsey.com/fpu.

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! ¹⁸All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation;   II Corinthians 5:17-18

Happy New Year!  It is a season of new beginnings, a new year, and with it many resolutions, hopes and fears as to what this next year will bring.  I share many hopes, a few fears, but mostly a sense of gratitude and anticipation.   Gratitude for the grace of God that has brought us to this new year, and anticipation for what lies ahead.

The past year has been filled with the blessings of being God’s people in this place.  We’ve just shared in the Christmas season, and seen the joy in the faces of our young people, heard the wonderful musical gifts that God has poured into this congregation, and gathered for worship and fellowship week after week.  In difficult days we have seen the strength of our family of faith as people rally in support of friends and neighbors to see them through.  In bright days we’ve shared the joy of knowing God’s presence and peace.  The ministry of ELC, through the efforts of the whole congregation, has been a blessing near and far.

Now in this new year, I am reminded of Paul’s words the Corinthians.  In Christ, we are once again a new creation, and have been entrusted with a ministry for the sake of God’s world.  As we enter 2011, there will be a place and a need for everyone’s gifts to be shared.   We have plans and dreams for an expanded facility.  We have visions for new ministry opportunities in our congregation, our community and the world.  We will need to stay constant in our worship, continue to care for one another, and to share Christ’s light throughout all we do.

Saturday, January 1, 2011: No 5:00 PM Worship

Sunday, January 2, 2011: 10:00  AM Worship

Regular Worship/Sunday School schedule will resume on January 8/9, 2011 … visit the Worship page for more information.