Our annual voter’s budget meeting is this Sunday after service in the sanctuary. I’m grateful that our council has put together a solid presentation for you. Budgets are just one way to describe a congregation. This one describes Glendale Lutheran as a church that several years ago struggled financially but now is on good footing. God has motivated his people to be generous. Our debt is getting lower and lower, our Gospel work continues. Another couple of items we will vote on is for new lighting in the sanctuary and the restoration of the stained glass.
Another way to describe what God is doing here is by attendance. We had 70 worshippers last weekend in person and 30 households online. For a church that averaged 100 before COVID that’s very encouraging. I talked recently with the pastors of our circuit. They are averaging less than half their normal attendance. I think part of that is that bigger churches are scarier for those who want to avoid crowds. Our small size is actually an advantage. If you do prefer greater social distancing then I suggest the Saturday service. We average a dozen people and there is plenty of room. Along those lines of wanting to be safe, I wanted you all to know that last week I got tested for COVID and the test results say I do not have it. A member suggested it and I figured if it helps bring anyone back to church then I’m willing to do it.
The best way to describe Glendale Lutheran is not with budget numbers or worship numbers. It is the relationships that we experience. I thank you for sticking with us through this difficult time. I’m very proud how you stuck by one another. We obviously are not through this yet but we know that God is with us and even a pandemic can’t separate us from His love.
