Stewardship

Central to our Christian faith is the belief that all that we are, all that we have, comes from God and will one day return to God.
 Martin Luther remarked centuries ago: “I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all.  But whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”
Giving to God – whether it be in time, skills or financial donations - is the basis of our stewardship at St. Paul’s.
There are many opportunities to contribute. For those who want to donate their time and talent, there are ministries, ranging from working in the office to serving on the vestry, that give parishioners an opportunity to give back to God through service to St. Paul’s. Whether you want to sing in the choir, work on the rummage sale or serve as an acolyte, lector or usher during our Sunday worship services, there are literally dozens of ways to participate in St. Paul’s life.
“Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” – Hebrews 13.16
Gifts of treasure, through contributions to the annual fund or the capital campaign, help us maintain our ministries and protect our beautiful buildings for generations of worshipers to come.
“What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me.” – Psalm 116.12
There are also many different forms of planned giving that allow you to make a gift in the future while looking after your own needs, or the needs of your family, while they are still living.
We are stewards of God’s bounty, caretakers. For a brief period we are given time, energy and resources. What we do with these gifts ultimately defines the character of our life and the depth of our spiritual understanding.
Remember the words from Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth: “Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Thank you, Stewards!

“The importance of caring for the gifts of the Earth has become more crucial in recent years.  As dwellers of the planet we must respect what is here so that we may preserve Earth’s gift for the generations to come.  Those native to North America have always lived on this earth with the idea of stewardship.  The earth is not what we own, it is our gathering place with all other life.” – Kevin Locke, Lakota
For more information about Stewardship, please contact Steve Heimann.