In a world that feels increasingly chaotic, the concept of peace can seem almost mythical. We long for it desperately, yet we live in a story marked by division, violence, and brokenness. The air we breathe is thick with conflict, and the waters we swim in are murky with pain. But what if there's a different story being told—one that offers genuine hope in the midst of this chaos?

The Reality We All Share
The Apostle Paul doesn't mince words in his letter to the Romans. Writing to a church divided between Jewish and Gentile believers—each group convinced their way was superior—Paul levels the playing field with uncomfortable clarity: "There is no one who is righteous, not even one" (Romans 3:10).

This isn't exactly the uplifting message we want to hear on a Sunday morning. Yet Paul's point is crucial: we're all swimming in the same waters of brokenness. The Jews relied heavily on their adherence to the law, believing their religious practices set them apart. The Gentiles had their own sense of superiority. Both were wrong.

We do the same thing today. We curate our spaces, surrounding ourselves only with voices that confirm what we already believe. We reject anything that challenges our understanding, building our knowledge on systems that may themselves be broken. We compare ourselves to others, finding comfort in the judgment that makes us feel somehow better, somehow more righteous.

But Paul's message cuts through our self-deception: no one gets to claim moral superiority. "For no human will be justified before him by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20).

The rules we follow, the religious practices we master, the good deeds we accumulate—none of these can save us. They only help us recognize that we need saving in the first place.

Beginning from Worth, Not Shame
Here's where the story could become oppressive. If we're all condemned, all broken, all swimming in chaos—what hope is there?

But there's a critical distinction to make: acknowledging our brokenness doesn't mean accepting shame as our foundation. We are broken, yes, but we are also made in the image of God. Our origin story is one of value and worth, not worthlessness.

Too often, the Christian message has been weaponized as a tool of shame: "You're terrible, you're nothing, you're worthless—now do these things, and maybe God will love you." This path leads only to exhaustion, to endless striving, to a faith built on fear rather than love.

The path we're invited to walk begins differently. It starts with this truth: you have value. You are loved. You are made in the image of God. And precisely because of that worth, the brokenness matters. The separation from wholeness matters. Your life matters enough that God did something about it.

The Good News of Justification
This brings us to that big theological word: justification. In plain language, it means this: yes, on our own we are condemned and broken, but by grace, through faith, we are made righteous, saved, and whole.

Paul continues in Romans 3: "But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed...the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:21-24).

This is the heart of the gospel story. Because of Jesus—his life, death, and resurrection—we experience righteousness. Not through our own efforts, not through perfect obedience to rules, but through grace. By faith, we are justified. We are covered in Christ's righteousness. His righteousness becomes our righteousness.

In legal terms, we're declared "not guilty." Not because we haven't sinned, but because Jesus's work changes our status. We're no longer defined by our brokenness but by his wholeness.

This is genuinely good news. The question is: do we accept it as such?

The Myth of Perfection
Many of us fall for a dangerous myth: once we decide to follow Jesus, we'll never sin again. We'll finally get it right. We'll achieve the perfection we've been striving for.

How's that working out?

When it inevitably doesn't work out—when we fail again, when we fall short again—what happens? If our faith is built on a foundation of shame, we simply strive harder. We try to save ourselves.

We judge others to make ourselves feel better. We stay in bondage, never truly free.
But if love is the foundation, everything changes. We believe that good news truly is good news, not manipulation to control our behavior. We understand that grace is real, not theoretical. We accept that we are loved as we are, not as we pretend to be.

The Pain of Forgiveness
There's a powerful line from The Alice Network: "Forgiveness hurts so much more than anger."

This strikes at something profound. We're comfortable in our suffering. We know how to navigate shame and guilt. We understand the rules of striving and earning. But grace? Forgiveness? Being loved without deserving it? That's disorienting. It's like walking out of a dark theater into blinding sunlight.

The offer of life can be painful in its contrast to the death we've grown accustomed to. Accepting that we're forgiven, that we're free, that we don't have to keep pretending—this requires vulnerability. It requires trust. It requires us to stop lying to ourselves.

As one writer put it: "God not only loves me as I am, but also knows me as I am. I don't need to apply spiritual cosmetics to make myself presentable to him. I can accept the ownership of my poverty and powerlessness and neediness."

Living in the Freedom
So what do we do with this gift? How do we live in celebration of Christ's work?
First, we stop pretending. We stop striving so hard to appear righteous. We take responsibility for our sin without letting it define us. We point ourselves toward Jesus—and then we do it again, and again, and again. Not from a place of earning acceptance, but from a place of already being accepted.

Second, we extend the same grace we've received. We stop gatekeeping, stop deciding who's worthy of God's love. We seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly.

Third, we celebrate. We let the weight of salvation—the trueness of Christ's work—change our lives from a place of freedom rather than fear.

The good news really is good news. Peace with God is possible, not because we've achieved it through our efforts, but because love made a way. In the midst of chaos and brokenness, there's a story of redemption being told. And we're invited to step into it, not as we pretend to be, but as we truly are—broken, beloved, and being made whole.

Pastor Nate describes being so focused on his work at the Pax Center that he almost missed a divine appointment with a grieving widower. What 'turns' might you be missing in your life because you're too busy or distracted?

We frequently engage with faith content without allowing it to shape us into Christ's likeness. How can we tell the difference between merely consuming Christianity and genuinely being transformed through a relationship with Jesus?

Micah 6:8 calls us to 'act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly' rather than to perform impressive religious acts. In what ways might you be tempted to perform for God rather than simply walk with Him?

Pastor Nate emphasizes that 'deep faith is cultivated in the humble, everyday, faithful and obedient walk with Christ.' What does this daily walk look like practically in your morning routine?

How does the concept of 'small things with great love' challenge our culture's obsession with platforms, influence, and 'big things for God'?

Pastor Nate said, 'You cannot walk humbly with God while walking violently with others.' Where in your life might you be harboring contempt for people you disagree with, and how does that contradict Christ's example on the cross?

Pastor Nate mentions that his family motto was 'you're only as valuable as the last hard day's worth of work.' What unhealthy beliefs about your worth and identity might be driving your spiritual life rather than God's grace?

The text from Philippians 2 calls us to 'value others above yourself' and to look to their interests. How might this principle transform a specific relationship in your life right now?

When Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,' he demonstrated love for his enemies. Who are the people you find hardest to love, and what would it look like to pray for their forgiveness rather than their punishment?

The sermon describes Enoch's obituary as simply 'he walked faithfully with God.' If your life were summarized in one sentence, what would you want it to say, and what needs to change for that to become reality?

LAPORTE, IN – State Street Community Church is delighted to announce its 13th Annual Thanksgiving Eve Dinner, which will be held on November 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 209 State Street, LaPorte, IN. This cherished yearly gathering welcomes the whole community for an evening rich with delicious food and the joy of friendship.

Guests can anticipate a classic Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and ham, stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes topped with gravy, green bean casserole, corn, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, and a tempting variety of pies, cakes, and cookies.

Lead Pastor Nate Loucks shared, “The holidays can be a lonely time for many, and we believe no one should face this season alone. Our Thanksgiving Eve Dinner is an opportunity to combat loneliness by coming together as a community, sharing a meal, and celebrating the spirit of togetherness around the holidays.”

The event, sponsored by State Street Community Church and Realtor Meghan Maddox, is free and open to all. Attendees are encouraged to bring their friends and family for an evening that promises not only a wonderful meal but also an opportunity to forge and strengthen community bonds.

To find out more about State Street Community Church, go to statestreet.church. For additional details on Meghan Maddox, check out meghanmaddoxrealtor.com.

**Contact:**
State Street Community Church  
209 State Street, LaPorte, IN 46350  
Email: bcrain@statestreet.church
Website: statestreet.church

Watch the sermon video below in case you missed the third week of our "FAMILY FEELS" series, or if you would like to re-visit the lessons we discussed. Pastor Nate Loucks delivered the sermon, which touched upon the topic of forgiveness and faith. We also celebrated the baptism of Reagan Buchanan!

Gracious and Loving God, we come before You today as a congregation united by faith and bound by the sacred ties of family. In Your eternal wisdom, You have woven the fabric of our lives together, teaching us that forgiveness is the thread that mends tears and bridges gaps.

As we navigate the complexities of relationships within our families, we ask for Your guidance to help us understand and show compassion towards one another. Guide us to see each other not only with our human eyes but through Your unconditional love. Grant us the strength to forgive freely, just as You forgive our mistakes.

In moments of discord, remind us that forgiveness is the balm that heals the heart and soul. May we not be held captive by anger or resentment but be liberated through forgiving, creating space for Your grace to enter.

We pray for those among us who find themselves in a state of estrangement or misunderstanding within their families. Encourage them and give them the courage to take the first step towards reconciliation. May they become vessels of your peace and reconciliation.

Bless our families with the spirit of unity and love. May our homes be havens of peace where Your presence is felt, and forgiveness flourishes. Teach us to practice patience, extend grace generously, and speak words that build rather than break.

Together, as a church family, help us model the love and forgiveness of Christ, who taught us to pray, forgive, and love without conditions. May our lives reflect the grace we have been given as we work towards reconciliation in all our relationships, inspired by Your example.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who forgives us and unites us as one family.

Amen.

Micah 7:18-19 NRSV
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity,
overlooking the sin of the few remaining for his inheritance?
He doesn’t hold on to his anger forever;
he delights in faithful love.
He will once again have compassion on us;
he will tread down our iniquities.
You will hurl all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Psalm 103:10-14 NRSV
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

Colossians 3:12-14 NRSV
Therefore, as God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

"Naming reality can free us so much. When we deny reality or are afraid to name it, we become imprisoned by it."
- Father Paul Farren

“The difference between justice and forgiveness: To be just is to condemn the fault and, because of the fault, to condemn the doer as well. To forgive is to condemn the fault but to spare the doer. That's what the forgiving God does.”
- Miroslav Volf, Exclusion & Embrace

"The world is sinful. That’s why God doesn’t affirm it indiscriminately.
God loves the world. That’s why God doesn’t punish it in justice.
What does God do with this double bind? God forgives."
- Miroslav Volf

Finances can be stressful, no matter where you are in life or how much (or little) money you have. The good news is that you can escape the bondage of financial stress and experience the true freedom that God has for you. FreedUp is proven to help find real financial freedom and spiritual growth.

Want to engage in FreedUp with an in-person group? Join Pastor Nate Loucks on Monday for six weeks starting on September 9th.

What is FreedUp? FreedUp is a stewardship training program. It offers culturally-current resources to help guide and equip believers to manage money in healthier ways, through Biblical wisdom. It’s for people in any financial situation, from in-debt to wealthy. The app addresses all the components of financial stewardship, including Earning, Giving, Saving, Spending, and Debt.

Cost: Individuals and Couples can download the FreedUp app for $19.

The class will go for six weeks. Register here.

Watch the sermon video below in case you missed the second week of our "FAMILY FEELS" series, or if you would like to re-visit the lessons we discussed. Pastor Nate Loucks delivered the sermon, which touched upon the topic of embracing interdependence and highlighted three common challenges that can arise in family relationships.

Dear Heavenly Father,

In this quiet moment, we gather our hearts and minds and reach out to You with a prayer of deep sincerity and hope. We give thanks for the gift of family and friends, for the souls You have intertwined with ours, teaching us the beauty and strength of unity.

As we navigate the journey of life, with its myriad of challenges and blessings, we are reminded of the profound need to value interdependence. Help us, O Lord, to recognize that we are more resilient, capable, and complete when we are together. Teach us to act as individuals and as parts of a greater whole, understanding that our actions impact those around us just as theirs affect us.

Grant us the grace to listen with open hearts, give freely without expectation, support without reservation, and love without condition. Encourage us to lean on each other in times of struggle, celebrate together in moments of joy, and share the load when it becomes too heavy for one person alone.

Bless us with the wisdom to know that no one is meant to walk this path alone. Imbue us with the courage to reach out and connect, bridging the gaps that may arise. Help us see Your light in every family member and circle of friends, recognizing the divine spark that binds us with love and mutual respect.

In times of disagreement or misunderstanding, let patience and empathy be our guides, healing divisions and forging stronger bonds. Inspire us to work together, combining our strengths to overcome obstacles, build our dreams, and nurture our collective well-being.

Lord, we ask for Your guiding hand on our journey towards true interdependence. May we always remember the depth of our connections, the value of each contribution, and the power of working together in harmony.

In Your holy name, we pray.
Amen.

Ephesians 4:25-30 NRSV
So then, putting away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with your neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Those who steal must give up stealing; rather, let them labor, doing good work with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.

Genesis 1:28 NRSV
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”

Matthew 28:19-20 NRSV
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

"If you didn’t come from a healthy family, make sure a healthy family comes from you." - Unknown

Watch the sermon video below if you missed the first week of our "FAMILY FEELS" series or if you would like to revisit the lessons we explored. Pastor Nate explored finding our identity as a family of God.

Heavenly Father,

In your boundless grace and mercy, you have called us out of darkness into your marvelous light. You have adopted us as your own. We stand together, humbly gathered as a testament to your love, as part of your vast global family bonded by faith in your Son, Jesus Christ.

Lord, we are grateful for this spiritual family, the Church. May our hearts be knitted closer together, uplifted in spirit, and our faith deepened as we walk together in unity and love. Teach us to embody the love that Christ showed. May we mirror the love that You have shown us.

May our family be a beacon of hope and light in a world longing for connection. Help us welcome others, guide our gatherings with joy, worship sincerely, and reflect divine compassion and wisdom in our actions.

Guide us, O God, in nurturing the bonds of community within Your Church. Help us to support each other in times of need and rejoice with one another in times of joy. May every word and deed glorify Your name and demonstrate the unity and peace found in living as faithful members of the body of Christ.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior,

Amen.

Romans 8:14–17 CEB
All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters. You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children.

Galatians 4:4-7 NRSV
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir through God.

Watch the sermon video below if you missed the final week of our "WE ARE THE CHURCH" series, or if you would like to revisit the lessons we explored. Pastor Nate spoke about worship and reflected on what and who we worship as believers in Christ.

Heavenly Father,

In Your presence, we gather as Your congregation with open hearts and willing spirits, seeking the path to worship You with unwavering faith and honesty. Please guide us, Lord, in honoring You not only with our words but with our entire beings.

Teach us the true depth of worship, beyond just singing songs and saying words, but through acts of kindness, moments of forgiveness, and lives lived reflecting Your love and grace.

Help us to have a spirit of humility as we approach Your throne, recognizing our unworthiness and Your boundless grace. May this humility remind us of our dependence on You and guide us in our worship so that it may be a faithful reflection of Your goodness rather than a display of our own righteousness.

Inspire us to seek You sincerely, laying bare our fears, failures, and doubts before You. May we have the courage to admit where we have faltered, knowing that Your love is steadfast and Your arms are always open for our return.

Through Your Holy Spirit, may we see You in all things and worship You in every moment of our lives. Whether in the sanctuary, the stillness of our homes, or the chaos of our daily routines, help us to recognize Your divine presence and to respond with heartfelt adoration.

May our worship be a beacon of Your light in a dark world, pointing the way to You, the source of all hope and salvation. Give us the strength to live out our worship through acts of love, mercy, and justice, visibly representing Your Kingdom here on earth.

In the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us the fullness of worship through His life, death, and resurrection, we commit ourselves to this journey of faithful and honest worship today and every day.

Amen.

Romans 12:1-2 NRSV
I appeal to you, therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual (or reasonable) worship. Do not be conformed to this world (or age), but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may discern what the will of God is—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

"Two golden rules at the heart of spirituality. You become like what you worship. When you gaze in awe, admiration, and wonder at something or someone, you begin to take on something of the character of the object of your worship. Those who worship money become, eventually, human calculating machines. Those who worship sex become obsessed with their own attractiveness or prowess. Those who worship power become more and more ruthless.

So what happens when you worship the creator God whose plan to rescue the world and put it to rights has been accomplished by the Lamb who was slain? The answer comes in the second golden rule: because you were made in God’s image, worship makes you more truly human. When you gaze in love and gratitude at the God in whose image you were made, you do indeed grow. You discover more of what it means to be fully alive.

Conversely, when you give that same total worship to anything or anyone else, you shrink as a human being. It doesn’t, of course, feel like that at the time. When you worship part of the creation as though it were the Creator himself—in other words, when you worship an idol—you may well feel a brief “high.” But, like a hallucinatory drug, that worship achieves its effect at a cost: when the effect is over, you are less of a human being than you were to begin with. That is the price of idolatry." - N.T. Wright, Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense

Watch the sermon video below if you missed the third week of our WE ARE THE CHURCH series or want to revisit the lessons we explored. Pastor Nate talked about the importance of confession and repentance and its significance in our relationship with God and others. 

Heavenly Father,

With humble hearts, we seek to embrace a life marked by confession and repentance. We recognize that these acts draw our spirits closer to You.

Guide us to understand that true confession is not simply admitting our wrongdoing but expressing our desire to transform. Help us to see our sins not as weights that hold us back but as opportunities for Your grace to manifest in our lives.

Heavenly Father, empower us to honestly confront the depths of our hearts, admitting to You, others, and ourselves when we have fallen short.

We thank You, Lord, for the gift of confession and the promise of forgiveness. May this practice deepen our relationship with You and with one another, building a community that is strong in faith, rich in mercy, and abundant in love.

Amen.

1 John 1:9 NRSV
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 28:13 NLT
People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

Nehemiah 1:4-7 NRSV
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments; let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have offended you deeply, failing to keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses.

"To confess your sins to God is not to tell [God] anything [God] doesn't already know. Until you confess them, however, they are the abyss between you. When you confess them, they become the bridge." - Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Seeker's ABC

• Why do you think vulnerability is challenging for people? The fear of vulnerability and the tendency to conceal certain aspects of ourselves from others to protect ourselves from potential harm.

• Why is important to learn to express our true thoughts and feelings? Pastor Nate emphasizes the significance of expressing our genuine thoughts and feelings, even if they involve doubt or frustration. This is because freedom and restoration begin with understanding where you are in the present moment.

• What is the significance of confession? Confession fosters strong and loving relationships within the community, both with God and with others.

• What phrases, such as "I'm fine," do you use to avoid having difficult conversations where confession is necessary?

• Why should we grow comfortable with confessing our mistakes to others and to God? When we are actively working on changing behaviors and articulating the wrongs committed, we show genuine repentance and understanding.

• What is hindering you from implementing better spiritual rhythms in your life?

• What are the risks of confession? Rejection, forfeiting pride and privacy, and needing to embody a courageous faith. However, the path to freedom is often a difficult one!

• What do you need to let go of for healing and restoration in your life? Is it anger towards work, a loved one, faith, etc?
  

Spotify Playlist

Donation

Did you miss last Sunday's message on the Eucharist from our WE ARE THE CHURCH series? Explore how to combat ingratitude and its effects on our lives.

Catch the full sermon now on our YouTube channel or visit statestreet.church/media.

Watch the sermon video below if you missed last Sunday's service or want to revisit the lessons we explored. Pastor Nate Loucks discussed the Eucharist and its significance in our faith and community.

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 NRSV
Now, in the following instructions, I do not commend you because when you come together, it is not for the better but for the worse. To begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and to some extent, I believe it. Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine. When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s supper. When the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry, and another becomes drunk. What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter, I do not commend you!

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. For this reason, many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If you are hungry, eat at home so that when you come together, it will not be for your condemnation; about the other things, I will give instructions when I come.

"The word "Eucharist" means literally "act of thanksgiving." To celebrate the Eucharist and to live a Eucharistic life has everything to do with gratitude. Living Eucharistically is living life as a gift, a gift for which one is grateful. But gratitude is not the most obvious response to life, certainly not when we experience life as a series of losses! Still, the great mystery we celebrate in the Eucharist and live a Eucharistic life is precisely that through mourning our losses, we come to know life as a gift." - Henri Nouwen, With Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life

"It is, as some modern Christian thinkers have said, what makes the Church what it really is. For that short time, when we gather as God’s guests at God’s table, the Church becomes what it is meant to be – a community of strangers who have become guests together and are listening together to the invitation of God." - Rowan Williams, Being Christian

Never give up on hope. There is so much joy and life to be lived that can be positively impacted if we allow ourselves to believe that things can change.

Watch the first week of our "WE ARE THE CHURCH" series on our website or our YouTube channel. Join us this Sunday for the second week. Pastor Nate Loucks will be discussing the rhythm of the Eucharist.

As 2023 comes to a close and you and your family consider possible end-of-year donations, we would like to express our gratitude for your continued support throughout the year. We also want to encourage you to remain generous in the upcoming year, as it will help us end this year with strength and allow us to continue the important work of love and justice that is the cornerstone of State Street Community Church.

We are grateful to God for blessing us with a united and healthy church, as well as a dedicated team of leaders, pastors, staff, and volunteers who are committed to helping others realize their importance to God and their role in His vision for the world.

State Street Community Church has experienced significant numerical growth on Sunday mornings, with over 16% more people attending this year compared to last. We are incredibly thankful for the new individuals and families who have joined our community. However, as we celebrate this growth, we also acknowledge that our giving has decreased by 9% compared to last year. We celebrate one while being mindful of the other.

We, as a church, have a long-standing history of being extremely generous with our ministries while also being fiscally responsible with our budget. We have made the difficult decision to freeze the salaries of our staff to address the shortage in donations despite the ongoing increase in inflation and their continued excellent leadership. Additionally, we are conducting audits of all our budgets and making any possible cuts to our youth, children's, and administrative budgets.

Your generous contributions fuel our mission and the various ministries at State Street Community Church. Without your support, the significant growth we have experienced may not have been possible. As we reach the end of this year and look towards 2024, your financial commitment is crucial, and we trust that God will provide tangible ways to sustain the profound impact we are making in the lives of people in LaPorte County.

HOW TO GIVE A YEAR-END GIFT
You can donate online, by mail, or in the donation boxes located in the foyer of State Street Community Church. All gifts made online by midnight on January 1st or dropped off at the church before then will be counted towards the 2023 fiscal year unless specifically dated for 2024.

This coming Sunday, Pastor Nate Loucks will deliver a one-week vision message at State Street Community Church about "What's Next." Service times have returned to their regular schedule at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Children's ministry will be offered at both services. If you cannot attend in person, the service will also be available for live streaming.