A Word From the Pastor
"The Economy And The Bible"
October 1, 2009

Dear Friends,

Stress. Anxiety. Fear. These words capture well the state of mind of many of us in America today. We have witnessed dramatic market losses, the collapse of the world's largest insurance company, and many bankruptcies and mergers. Every day seems to bring another piece of economic uncertainty.

A recent survey found that over three in four Americans are stressed about the economy and their personal finances. Half were worried about providing for their family's basic needs. Over half of respondents reported feeling angry and irritable and reported lying awake at night worried about this.

Join us in worship during the month of October for a sermon series entitled Enough: Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity. We will also be offering a special Bible study during the 9:00 Sunday school hour that will coincide with this series of sermons. While one adult class has already completed this study and a second one has begun the process, this one is being offered for those who are not attending a class already. We will gather in the library unless more space becomes necessary. During our time together, we will explore what the Bible teaches us about financial management through corporate worship and small group study. We'll hear expert advice and stories about what others have learned by working through financial challenges. Each week we will provide you with some practical tools you can use to assess your financial situation and develop a financial plan with a biblical foundation.

At the conclusion of this all-church emphasis, we will have the opportunity to make personal commitments of our offerings to God through our church in the coming year. We will consecrate these commitments in the worship service during the weekend of October 24.

See You in Church,
Pastor Kathleen