In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus famously shares this piece of wisdom:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Sometimes I feel a little self-conscious about Stewardship. Not worried or anxious—self conscious—an undue awareness of how we act around inviting parishioners to support the mission and ministry of our parish.
It is true…you aren’t imagining it…we do spend a considerable amount of time talking about resources. I am not one to correct Jesus, but perhaps we might also consider the adage “For what you speak of, there your attention will be also.”
At St. Stephen’s, we talk about resources because, quite simply, we couldn’t function without them. We are a community, a gathering of people who have responded to the Good News of Christ. The greatest resource that parishioners can give is the time to gather together in worship; making worship a priority and inviting friends and neighbors to join in this fellowship of fun and faith.
Equally important, St. Stephen’s needs your skills, your gifts, your talents. Whether it is welcoming long-time parishioners or greeting first time guests, we are blessed with scores of friendly faces. We also need gifted singers, skilled artisans, detail oriented task rabbits. We need all of you to do the work God has given us to do in serving our neighbor in our community.
These ministries are enabled through generous gifts of treasure. Each pledge, each donation is a response to God’s Grace and Love. We know what we have been given, and so we share and give as God has given to us.
At St. Stephen’s, Stewardship isn’t just a season, it is a perspective. Grounded in gratitude, rooted in abundance, flourishing in fellowship and fun—this is who we are. We love St. Stephen’s…this is where our heart lies; thank you for supporting it so generously!
