A Note from Pastor Bill

Dear St. Luke’s Saints,

"My grandmother had just gotten out of jail.

"She was a roll away from the yellow properties. And the yellow properties meant trouble. They were mine. And they had hotels. And Gram had no money. She had wanted to stay in jail longer to avoid landing on my property and having to cough up dough she did not have, but she rolled doubles, and that meant her bacon was going to get fried."

That’s how John Ortberg starts his book, When the Game is Over It All Goes Back in the Box, which is our church-wide stewardship study that begins on Sunday. Some of you picked up the book last week and have emailed to tell me that you aren’t going to wait for us pastors to lead you through the next seven weeks. You couldn’t put the book down once you got started! That’s the kind of book we have been looking for.

From now through November, we will be examining the "game" we play when it comes to what we value in life and how we manage the assets of the board. We begin this Sunday with chapter one of the book and Jesus’ story in Luke 12:13-21 about the guy who acquires so much in life that he tears down his barns to build bigger ones for all the stuff of his life. The title is "Boxes and Barns." Last week in the worship guide, the title was incorrectly listed as "Boxes and Barnes."

I guess either I have been here too long or someone is expecting a personal witness about the way I manage the stuff in my own life. That’s OK with me. Years ago here at St. Luke’s I stepped into that large pulpit we used to have and read through my cancelled checks in an effort to be honest about my own priorities and values.

Like the guy from Men’s Wearhouse says on his commercials, if you pick up the Ortberg book and start reading it, you will have a tough time putting it down, "I guarantee it!" I am really excited about this series, and I think you will be, too.

You can get a copy for $10 at the church. (They are so new that they are only out in hardback, so we are subsidizing the cost. If you can’t afford that, just let one of the pastors know and we will make sure you get a book.) Please make the most of this opportunity by attending worship, dropping in for a pastor’s "talkback" session on Sunday or Wednesday, sharing this study in a small group, either on that is already meeting or one created for just this purpose. Find out this week what happens to Gram as she rolls her way out of jail and into bankruptcy!

On another topic, Kim and I will be flying to London on October 20th to attend a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where Queen Elizabeth II will award our good friend, Dr. Gary Mason of Belfast with a medal and the designation "Member of the Order of the British Empire." Gary is receiving this award in recognition of his twenty year commitment to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. (And yes, Kim has to wear a hat!"

With faith, hope, and love,

Bill Barns (Just checking to see if you are paying attention!)

70 in 07 Update

We reached nearly half of our goal last Sunday alone! If you were unable to be with us, we would still love to receive your gift for Water, Shade and Healing. We will be continuing to lift up this opportunity for ministry with mission partners through the end of the year.