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 There's a great "new" hymn that has all the makings of becoming an old favorite called "Will you come and follow me?" (ELW #798). Some of the verses go like this: "Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known, will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?" One of the ways we respond to that invitation to follow Jesus is through our offerings and support of the church.
A couple of years ago, as a part of our Stewardship emphasis, we asked the question, "Why do you give to the church?" We received many thoughtful, helpful answers. We'd like to hear your answers again to that question. But this year, we'd also like to ask, "How do you decide what to give?" We're not asking for an amount, but just asking how you determine how much your offering will be. We'd like to share those responses also, all anonymous of course.
By sharing our answers to these questions, we help each other think about what it means to follow Jesus and how our offerings are a part of that following.
So, reflect on this, think about it, and then we'd love it if you would reply to this email and share your thoughts with us so we can share those with your fellow followers of Jesus and be encouraged by one another.
Gratefully,
The Pastors, Staff, Stewardship and Financial Leaders of Our Savior
Will You Come and Follow Me The Summons
"Will you come and follow me
if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know
and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown
in you and you in me?
"Will you leave yourself behind
if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare,
should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer pray'r
in you and you in me?
"Will you let the blinded see
if I but call your name?
Will you set the pris'ners free
and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean,
and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean
in you and you in me?
"Will you love the you you hide
if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found
to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound
in you and you in me?"
Lord, your summons echoes true
when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you
and never be the same.
In your company I'll go
where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow
in you and you in me.
Text: John L. Bell, b. 1949
Text © 1987 Iona Community, GIA Publications, Inc., agent 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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