As we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of our church this month, we spotlight the ministry of our very first pastor, the Rev. George W. Drees. Leafing through our historical archives reminds us of a timeless truth: church finances have never been for the faint of heart.

When Pastor Drees accepted the call to St. John’s, his annual salary was $400, modest even for the 1870s. But there was a catch. Not only did he have to preach, teach, and shepherd the flock—he also needed to raise the money to pay his own salary. Facing deficits, he hustled to cover operating expenses, secured loans, and launched St. John’s first stewardship program: the “penny collection.” Every member was asked to contribute one penny a week.

A penny may sound quaint, almost charmingly small, but in the late 19th century, it packed more of a punch. Adjusted for inflation, that one cent amounts to roughly 3–4 cents today. Not exactly a windfall, but it wasn’t the amount that mattered. The genius of the “penny collection” was its spirit—everyone gave something, every week. It was stewardship born from shared responsibility, not spare change.

Fast forward to 2026, and the penny itself is fading away. It’s too expensive to mint and is barely used in daily life. No more penny pinching; transactions will soon simply round up or down. Yet the heart of Pastor Drees’s idea still shines: when everyone contributes, even small gifts multiply into sustaining grace.

This Sunday, January 25, immediately after our 9:30 AM worship, we’ll gather for our annual congregational meeting to consider the 2026 operating budget. Our Treasurer, Steve Wilmer, will walk us through how the council is doing its best to “save pennies” in a world where everything costs dollars. Because this is our shared ministry, your voice and support truly matter.

Pastor Drees faced his financial challenges—as we all do. But with the faithful people of St. John’s, he paid the bills, retired the loans, and turned his full attention to the heart of the gospel: serving God’s people with joy and purpose. We can do the same.

When the congregation finally reached financial stability, they presented Pastor Drees with a box of cigars. Don’t worry. I’m not asking for cigars. What I’d treasure far more is your partnership, your encouragement, and a deepening of our shared faith in Christ.

Blessings,
Pastor Marc