St. Stephen

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP?

 

At its most basic, it’s how we care for the gifts we have received from God. It means taking care of our environment, of other people and of ourselves. Stewardship is the wise and faithful use of our resources – our time, talents and treasure – all of which we believe have come to us from God. Stewardship is about community – everybody belonging to this wonderful St. Stephen’s Family. It’s a kind of personal thanksgiving to God for all the gifts God has given us. During this fall stewardship effort, we’ll be focusing on ‘treasure’ or committing to financially support God’s work at St. Stephen’s through pledging.

 

There Are Two Seas

By Bruce Barton

 

There are two seas in Palestine.

 

One is fresh, and fish are in it. Splashes of green adorn its banks. Trees spread their branches over it and stretch out their thirsty roots to sip of its healing waters.

Along its shores the children played when He was there.  He loved it.  He could look across its silver surface when He spoke in parables.  And on a rolling plain not far away he fed five thousand people.

The river Jordan flows on south into another sea.

Here no splash of fish, no fluttering of leaf, no song of birds, no children’s laughter.  Travelers choose another route unless on urgent business.  The air hangs heavy above its water, and neither man nor beast nor fowl will drink.

What makes this mighty difference in these neighbor seas?  Not the river Jordan.  It empties the same good water into both.  Not the soil in which they lie; not the county round about.

The difference.  The Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep the Jordan.  For every drop that flows into it another drop flows out.  The giving and receiving go on in equal measure.

The other sea is shrewder, hoarding its income jealously.  It will not be tempted into any generous impulse.  Every drop it gets, it keeps.

The Sea of Galilee gives and lives.  The other sea gives nothing.  It is named The Dead.

There are two kinds of people in the world.  There are two seas in Palestine.

Barton wrote this piece, “There are Two Seas” for McCall’s in 1928.

DOES MY PLEDGE MATTER?

 

Without a doubt.  St. Stephen’s is not a wealthy church, we recently had to relegate our church mouse to a part time position.  Seriously, St. Stephen’s has been able to keep it’s doors open only because of your giving.  We do not have a large financial cushion to rely on, so all we have is your pledge envelope.  From that we determine if we can achieve those things we need to do and to possibly realize those ministries we wish to help.

IN MAKING YOUR DECISION

 

What can you give now, in joy and gratitude, for all the gifts God has given you ?

 

How does your commitment for next year take you on another step in your relationship with Christ?

 

What proportion are you giving now and how much would you like to eventually give back to God?

WHAT IT MEANS TO MAKE A FINANCIAL COMMITMENT

 

Making a financial commitment should be a spiritual decision reached after much prayer and reflection. Our decisions about giving financially reflect central parts of our spiritual life:

 

                 · Surrendering a portion of our wealth to God's work

                 · Having faith that we can give generously and not suffer want

                 · Showing joyful thanksgiving for God's grace and gifts to us

 

Please know that you can change your commitment at any time 

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING YOUR FIRST FINANCIAL COMMITMENT…

 

Making a first financial commitment is an essential part of joining a worship community. When you do so, you promise a portion of what you have to support God's work. Your gift expresses your faith that we as a community are good stewards of God's gifts to us.

In the financial sense, making a commitment may seem no different from making regular contributions to the offering plate. In the spiritual sense however, it is a very important step in one's relationship with Christ.

IF YOU ARE RENEWING YOUR COMMITMENT…..

 

The biblical standard is the tithe - or 10% of all that we earn. We must acknowledge though, that we are all at different places on the journey toward that goal. Our community includes some of who tithe as well as some who are making their first financial commitment.

 

Regardless of our place on that journey, biblical teaching emphasizes proportional giving- that those blessed with greater wealth are expected to give more. Often, the smallest gift is the largest.