Stewardship

September 4, 2006

     We are beginning a special and imporant time in the life of our congregation this week, the beginning of our 2007 Stewardship Program.  I never view the time when we talk about giving in the coming year as the culmination of stewardship in the life of the church.  When we begin our fall stewardship emphasis, it is one part of a much larger program, our year-long stewardship emphasis. 

     We started 2006 by talking about stewardship as a year-long emphasis.  That doesn’t mean that we have talked about specific dollars given each week in worship, but instead have looked at the spiritual growth and development that leads us to return to God a portion of the blessings in our lives.  During the year we have shared a number of stewardship moments through the “6 in ‘06” program.  Through video presentations in worship we have learned about the vareity of ways that St. Andrew’s is involved in mission and ministry.  We have also heard from speakers who have shared about the Wesleyan Homes ministry and in November, Dr. Allan Goss from Church Growth and Development will be at St. Andrew’s to share that ministry with us.

     For the past several months you have received “ministry update” letters that have shared some special moments in the life of our congregation made possible through your giving.  These letters have been written to share with you a portion of what is taking place at St. Andrew’s and to thank everyone who has been supporting the church financially.  When you realize that the lives touched through these letters is a small percentage of the lives touched through the doors of St. Andrew’s, the scope of ministry is amazing!

     As we begin to look at giving for 2007, it is important to remember that we are not just talking about paying utilities, salaries, and the mortgage, we are talking about support for mission and ministry.  In mid-September each household will receive a booklet that highlights some of the ministries that have taken place in 2006.  It is easy to see that meaningful ministry is taking place at St. Andrew’s. 

     In the packet of materials that will come with your booklet, there will be an Estimate of Giving card that invites you to make a giving covenant for 2007.  Only after you and God spend some time together in prayer and reflection will you know what that amount will be for next year.  The biblical standard is the tithe, and Jeri and I will again be giving our tithe to the church.  We believe very strongly in tithing and have not only given 10% of our income, but exceed that giving during the year through additional gifts.  Early in our marriage we were giving regularly for several years, increasing 1-2 percent in our giving each year, until we reached a full tithe.  Since that time, we have been tithing every year and have seen the blessings that are a part of our lives because we return to God the first 10% of all we receive.

     Our theme for 2007 is,

This theme reminds us that everything we do is because of God’s Purpose revealed to us in Jesus Christ Christ, and that God gives each of us a place to serve in the Kingdom.  I want to extend a personal invitation to you to celebrate all that God is doing in our midst, to prayerfully consider how God is leading you to give in 2007, and to join me on September 24 as we consecreate our giving to God.

The sermons and scriptures that will guide our worship in September are listed below.  I invite you to read the scriptures during the week prior to the service and to think about how God is leading us to share God’s Purpose in this, God’s Place.

September 10               “God’s Purpose – God’s Place” - Week 1

Scripture                      Mark 4:1-9

Sermon                        “The Purpose of It All”

WOD                           Nurture

September 17               “God’s Purpose – God’s Place” -Week 2

Scripture                      Mark 8:27-29

Sermon                        “Cross in the Road”

WOD                           Outreach

September 24               Consecration Sunday, God’s Purpose – God’s Place” – Week 3

Scripture                      Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon                        “It’s All About God”