Stewardship: Our Duty and Delight
"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into
his courts!" Psalm 96:8
TIME & MONEY
Time
and Money . . . two things that we frequently say we never have enough of. But
is that really the case? Or is it a matter of choice? Is it how we choose to
use our time and money? Think about an activity that you enjoy, perhaps a
hobby that you are immersed in. Do you decline to spend time in that activity
saying to yourself, “I don’t have time to participate in my favorite activity.”
Or “I don’t have time to spend with my group of friends.” Do you decline to
spend money on your favorite activity saying to yourself, “it costs too much” or
“I would rather spend my money elsewhere.” Or “maybe next month I will have the
money to spend on my favorite activity.” Most of us probably would be forced to
admit that if it is truly important to us, we find a way to commit our time and
our money to it, even if it means personal sacrifice. Perhaps we include in our
family budget an allowance for that activity, we withhold a portion of our
paycheck, or we save money to spend on that activity. Perhaps we set aside or
prioritize our time to devote to that activity.
Why
or how is it different for us when it is comes to our commitment to Christ and
the ministry of his Church? Is it not important to us? Is it not a priority
for us? Do we find no enjoyment in giving of our time and money? Do we not
appreciate all that God has given us? Do we find no enjoyment in spending time
with our Church friends and family? If it is important to us, why should we
hesitate to give generously and cheerfully of our time and money?
This
year’s stewardship theme is “Our Duty and Delight.” This is our annual
opportunity to reflect upon our faith and express our thanks for all that God
has given us. By now you have received in the mail a financial commitment card
and a time and talent sheet. As you prayerfully consider your financial and
time commitment to Christ in the coming year, please ask yourself whether your
giving of time, talent, and money is a priority. Please consider the following.
First, on the money front . . . Gloria Dei’s annual budget is currently
$415,000. This means to make our budget and fund our operations, run our
programs and ministries, provide for benevolent and charitable causes, and
maintain our property, we need to take in approximately $8,000 in offerings each
week. If we averaged a weekly attendance of about 200 members, each of us
would need to contribute only $40 each week to reach our weekly nut. Come and
worship . . . and give. It is our Duty to bring our financial gifts to God and
to do so cheerfully.
Second, on the time front . . . The time and talent sheets we received provide
us with more than 100 different opportunities to share our time and talents. I
would like to hi-light one of the new items under the category of Events. You
have an opportunity to serve on the 75th Anniversary Committee that
will be forming in 2012 as we plan and prepare to celebrate Gloria Dei’s 75th
anniversary in 2013. Most of these opportunities have a very modest time
commitment. Surely there is at least one activity for which each and every one
of us can give of our time and share a talent. It is our Duty to give our time
and talents to God and our Delight.
Time
and Money – how will you choose to use yours?
Stewardship Committee Mission
Remembering God’s charge to
care for His creation and return a tithe back to Him, this committee shall
provide leadership in cultivating faithful and effective practices of
stewardship by all members of this congregation. The committee shall remind the
congregation as a whole to be a community of servants who follow Jesus’ example
by living lives of service to others. How is God calling us to serve both inside
the congregation and outside of the congregation? How is God calling us to use
your gifts to serve others? As one body with many members, God has given each of
us different gifts and talents in order to complete the ministry we are called
to do.
This committee shall be
responsible for, but not limited to:
·
Devising
means to encourage generous giving to the work of the church at home, in the
Central States Synod, and throughout the church-wide organization of the ELCA,
and throughout the world;
·
Provide
for an on-going, year-around stewardship program with a yearly emphasis and
opportunity for financial pledging;
·
Encourage members to give generously of their time and talents in order to
provide the personnel for varied ministries of this congregation.
Stewardship Committee Members:
Valarie Magańa,
Co-Chair
Mick Haugen, Co-Chair
Pastor
Jacobson , Staff
Cathy Latta, Staff | 
Gloria
Dei Lutheran Church
