----Almost 18 months ago, I told you I would try to write about what I am learning related to stewardship. While there is so much to know and learn, what we can really strive to do together is try to become the types of stewards God calls us to be. There is so much more to stewardship than the giving of money.There is the giving of our time, our talents, and ourselves.
Look around at St. Paul and you will truly see how so many give so much, to make our hometown church a special place. From the youngsters, who give of their energy, their enthusiasm and their willingness to help, to all ages of adults (staff and congregation members alike) who have provided guidance, leadership, and their time, to help create a wonderful church home. While I cannot begin to name names, (I'd run out of room!) I am certainly happy and lucky to be a part of a congregation that cares about following God, that cares about setting a good example and wants our church to be a place to inspire, help build faith and be aloving home.
----So, as we explore different pieces of the stewardship puzzle, let's keep this four-letter word in the forefront of our thinking.....LOVE!
In John 13:34-35, Jesus of Nazareth says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Traveling down the "Stewardship Road" together, remember how important it is that we give of our time, our talents, our treasures, and yes, give our love, just as Jesus asks. This stewardship prayer is a way to ask for God's help, so we don't veer off the stewardship highway.
Gracious God, we praise and thank you
for the great power and tenderness of your love.
Everything we are and everything we have is a gift from you.
Fill our minds with Christ's truth and our hearts with his love,
so that in his Spirit we may be bonded together as a community of faith,
built into Christ's body, a parish family, a caring people.
In the name and spirit of Jesus, we commit ourselves
to be good stewards of the gifts entrusted to us,
to share our time, our talent and our material gifts
as an outward sign of the treasure we hold in Jesus.
Amen.
PERCAPITA - $30/MEMBER PLEASE MAKE THIS PAYMENT
----There is an amount of money that we would request all members of St. Paul pay each year for what is called "Per Capita." This is an every member tax that individual churches pay to support the work of the Presbyterian denomination. The dollars go to the larger church and are shared by Presbytery, Synod and the General Assembly. It is used to help pay salaries, for the offices, staff and for programs run by the larger church. St. Paul is billed per member and we would really like to have 100% of our members make their payment this year.
----The per capita amount due for 2010 is $30/member. None of this $30 stays with St. Paul, but if our members do not pay, then we are billed for the balance and it can be a real drain on our overall budget. Please make a check payable to St. Paul and note on the check that it is for "per capita." You can give this to Jean Gilbert or simply place in the offering baskets on Sunday. This is to be separate from your normal or regular pledge.
----Thank you for your consideration!
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