Because of our long prayer and financial support, many at Good Samaritan are aware of SIM missionaries Steve and Nancy Brown in Niger. We have had several Missions News stories about them, often highlighting the medical work at the Danja Fistula Center. After many years of this ministry in Niger, Steve and Nancy are taking a much-needed leave and are back in the U.S.

From the focused, joyful procession of five clergy, seven Eucharistic Ministers, Sacred Dancers, and choir, the lighting of the first Advent candle at 10:30 to the last of the kitchen cleanup around 1:30 Good Samaritan’s Combined Service and Luncheon was a time of great joy and blessing. Although it was Thanksgiving weekend, with many families away, to see the sanctuary and balcony full made my heart swell.

As we move through our stewardship season this year, we’ve been promoting some of the stories of service from within our church family. Rebecca with Family Ministries, Trent with Get on our Lawn and Joan with the Food Closet. There are many more ministries we could have highlighted. The point is that our giving to the church and the stewardship of our lives is about the whole of who we are and is not simply a matter of dollars and cents.