Are you optimistic about the future of St. Luke's?

This is a follow up on last week’s blog: Worship - Why do you or do not attend worship? (8/8/2023)There were a total of 30 people took time to respond.

Last Sunday in worship we looked at the book of Ecclesiastes, the second of our August Four Week Series on Biblical Wisdom. The first week was Proverbs, next week is Song of Songs and we will close with the Psalms – specifically Psalm 148 as a part of the Blessing of the Animals and Backpacks. The author of Ecclesiastes is described as a critical and sometimes crotchety teacher has to much to say about life and death, God and love, sorrow and joy, and worship.

We had a little fun with a questionnaire last week. We have two winners who will each receive a $15 gift card, splitting the prize based on the number of responders.

1.     St. Luke’s has how many people in its database? – d.
a.     400     b. 2000           c. 1400            d. 1000   e. 750
 
2.     St. Luke’s has how many households in its database? – c.
a.     150     b. 350             c. 550              d. 750            e. 950
 
3.     St. Luke’s had how many individuals attended Worship last year based on Welcome Cards? – d.
a.     70       b. 170             c. 270              d. 370             e. 1,070
 
4.     St. Luke’s had how many people attend monthly last year based on Welcome Cards? – c.
a.     60       b. 120             c. 180              d. 240             e. 300
 
5.     One (nonstaff) St. Luke’s member attended the most worships totaling? – d.
a.      72      b. 78               c. 85                d. 89               e. 114

Bonus Question: Who was the member who attended the most worships? No one put down the right answer, and the person who did probably wouldn’t want to be mentioned.

I share these statistics to show the number of people and families who have or had a connection with St. Luke’s. How many different people attended worship in the past year.

The number of different people who come each month – the new average used by many churches. And to note the number of times four individuals attended during the year, sometimes attending both the 8:30 AND 10 AM worships on the same Sunday, plus Lent worships and other holiday worships.

For them and the people who responded worship is important, valuable, and gives meaning and purpose to life….

“Why do you or do not attend worship?” Here are the responses…

“I attend for fellowship and to praise God. I miss when I’m out of town.”
“I attend to feel good. I miss when out of town or ill.”
“Because I enjoy it.”
“Love Pastor Rob. Love the people!”
“To receive God’s blessings through the word and the sacrament and to commune with members.”
“It’s time that I can focus on my faith with my church family.”
“I love the Lord Jesus!”
“Pastor. People. It’s home.”
“Community. Serve. Fellowship. Worship.”
“It’s Family!”
“One of the most important days of my week. Feels like something is missing in my week when I am unable to attend.”
“Spiritual and Community.”
“I love worshiping at St. Luke’s and seeing the children.”
“St. Luke’s has always felt like ‘home’”
“I am part of the church as we all are and to hear words of reassurance.”
“I always want to come but will watch online when ill or weather is an issue.”
“I give uninterrupted, full attention, to God who deserves my loyalty.”
“Need to stop and smell the roses. To stop and think about life.”
“Community.”
“I need to be here for my heart, soul, mind, as I worship my God. Peace. Love of our faith community.”
“Worship. Community. Family. Outreach.”
“Fellowship with others, faith.”
“Worship. Fellowship.”
“Keeps me centered.”

One more question, was asked from the article by John DeRose, May 16, 2023 on NPR who reported in the The importance of religion in the lives of Americans is shrinking: “Despite the downward trends in overall church attendance, PRRI found that those still going are happy. 82% say they're optimistic about the future of their church.”

100% of the people who responded stated – “Yes” They were optimistic about the future of St. Luke’s. A few had explanation points - Yes!
There were three who followed their Yes with…
… for the older members.
… with a little elbow grease.
…. ,but concerned.

If you didn’t have a chance to share your answers, please do so in the comments below.

Why I worship and I’m optimistic about St. Luke’s? If a picture paints a thousand words, then a video must be a million. Take a look at Easter 2023 Video.

(For those being mailed out use this ending… I encourage you to go to the St. Luke’s Website and on the bottom of the home page is a picture of St. Luke’s. That is a link to the 2023 St. Luke’s Easter Worship. Christ has risen! Christ has risen indeed. Hallelujah!
Ongoing prayers and blessings, Rob