Stewardship Time
The monthly reports which the Vestry receives from the Church Treasurer indicate that throughout the first half of 2006 we have been pretty much on target and we are operating in the black – praise God!
Field archery is a keen sport in which hitting the bullseye requires patience, precision, and practice. Human response on the other hand is a reflex. It may be quick and unconscious, like the blink of an eye, or as deliberate as international diplomacy.
When it comes to our response to God in the area of our finances, how do we target our response? Quickly and unconsciously, or are we deliberate in our approach? God tells us what we should be aiming for. He asks us to cheerfully return to the Divine Giver a proportional gift from the many blessings we receive from Him. This will require of us patience, precision, and practice in order to land on target and on center.
Bear in mind, our obedient and deliberate giving back to God transforms our gifts into ministries that touch and change lives around us through sacraments, preaching and ministry, and beyond us through programs of outreach including our diocesan tithe.
As Church ministries and outreach cannot exist without financial support, the annual Stewardship campaign is an important vehicle for helping to insure that these will thrive and continue into the future. And, in addition, that mundane expenses requiring our attention, such as personnel provisions, operating overhead, building maintenance and supplies, are also met. In our giving to God, even these practical expenses assume an eternal value.
A sermon on Stewardship will be delivered on Sunday, 15 October, and a follow-up mailing will be sent to parishoners. You will be asked to consider your giving to the work of God’s Church for next year. As always, this is a decision strictly between you and the Lord. And remember, you’ll want to be deliberate and on target in your response. So take aim and return a voluntary Pledge Card on Sunday, 5 November.