Happy New Year’s Eve – Eve…

St. Luke is a Welcome and Growing Community of Faith, busy Making Christ Known to the World.

St. Luke’s continues to live out its mission, living out God’s purposes: Service, Worship, Evangelism, Community, Stewardship, and Discipleship – Simply What Every Church Should Do

Thank you to all who faithfully live out these core values – Simple What Every Christian Should Do. I listed off many of our ministries that make Christmas Eve Worship a success in the last blog, but I failed to also thank Bells of Praise. (I appreciated those who correct me. We are better together.)

We had 340 people join for our Christmas Eve Worships.

This was just one of the many wonderful things that happened in the past year. We will celebrate at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 25, 2026, following the 10 AM Worship. Please plan to attend.

Thank you to those who have faithfully given their tithes and offerings throughout the year. Thank you to those who are planning to give a year-end gift. As a community, we will end our year with a balanced budget. Thank you!

St. Luke’s Budget Meetings.

St. Luke’s holds two budget meetings the two Sundays prior to our annual meeting. Sundays, January 11 and 18, 2026.

Individual Budgeting Opportunity

My prayers turn to those who personally find themselves in a financial valley. Costs have increased considerably this year.

It all comes down to: “Spend less than you earn.” or “Earn more than you spend.” Congrats to anyone continuing to read. Few people like to talk about budgets. Often people who hear the first quote above feel ashamed, guilty, or embarrassed. It is the people who resonate with the second quote that feel motivated, determined, and have a sense of pride.

Why the difference?

The first is focused on what you cannot have while the latter is focused on what you can have –

The “Have Nots” and the “Haves”. “I can’t have that.” verses “I can have this!”

Do you know what helps transform a person from a “Have not” to a “Have”?

Living the promise, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35c

Financial Purpose – 4-Weeks to Better Financial Health.
January 12, 19, 25, and February 2, 2026
Starring Diane LaFontaine, Council Representative for Stewardship

One of the best things Nancy and I ever did was go through a Financial Budgeting Course. It is more than numbers on a page. It looks at your understanding of money, how to decrease debt, build savings, discover the necessary insurance needed for a safety net, and in the end learning how to live a generous life.

Financial Purpose is Beyond Budgeting; it creates a Better Approach to Living.
78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. 70% have little to no savings. But God's wisdom offers a different path.

Financial Purpose bridges the gap between biblical principles and practical application. We've created a framework that helps you:

· Build confidence in managing money God's way
· Create lasting financial stability
· Experience the joy of generous living
· Find freedom from financial stress

This a four-week workshop. It will begin January 12. There is a book to guide our conversations. They will be available at the church the week of January 4. Cost is $18.00. For more information contact Diane: [email protected]

And one last reminder – 2025 Budget ends on December 31, 2025
Year-end gifts must be received in the office or postmarked on or before December 31. A gift of stock needs to be in process prior to December 31. Questions contact, Heather Kambeitz, Minister of Finance; [email protected] / 952-881-5801, ext. 106. Blessings to you and yours in the New Year! Rob [email protected] / 952-881-5801 ext. 103