When you pray about your financial support for the mission of STL, which topics tend to be in the forefront of your thoughts? God’s faithfulness … your trust how God uses your financial resources to fulfill his mission … God’s word and promises… your fears and family needs … Biblical stewardship principles … your personal resources and budget … God’s priorities … or perhaps a complaint or two about the church asking for money! The list goes on and on…

Dennis the Menace, the old comic strip, shows Dennis hurrying into the living room holding a large box as his mom turns around, her mouth agape, as Dennis says, “Mom, we’d better call Santa Claus to forget about the train set I asked for.  I just found this one in Dad’s closet on the top shelf.”

I am writing this letter the day after the tragedy at Oxford High School.  My heart (as I am sure yours does too) goes out to that entire community as our prayers ascend for Jesus come to them with his comfort, peace, and hope.  Surely not only Christmas, but life itself has been altered for many by this sad event.