Stewardship Program

What a lovely gift to offer each other this Advent season!

Stewardship Emphasis

"Enough" Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity

              Stress. Anxiety, Fear. These words capture well the state of mind of many of us in America today. We have witnessed dramatic market losses, the collapse of the world's largest insurance company, and many bankruptcies and mergers. Every day seems to bring another piece of economic uncertainty.

              A recent survey by CNN.com found that over three in four Americans are stressed about the economy and their personal finances. Half were worried about providing for their families basic needs. Over half of respondents reported feeling angry and irritable, and reported laying awaked at night worried about this.  The report concludes that, "The declining state of the nation's economy is taking a physical and emotional toll on people nationwide."

              Join us in worship the next four weeks beginning November 1 for a sermon series entitled "Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity." Our nation is experiencing what many have described as the "American Nightmare." Increasing consumer debt, declines in savings, lower income growth, and a volatile stock market are all a part of our economic insecurity. We have lived in a society that tells us "you deserve it now." whether or not we can afford it or really even need it.

              All of us have struggled with these issues at one time or another. They are important issues that we cannot ignore. This is why, over the next three weeks, we will be having a church-wide stewardship and worship emphasis called "Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity.." Each week we will provide you with some practical tools you can use to assess your financial situation and develop a financial plan with a biblical foundation.

              At the conclusion of the emphasis, we will have the opportunity to make personal commitments of our offerings to God through our church in the coming year. We will consecrate these commitments in the worship service on November 22, followed by our Thanksgiving meal in the fellowship hall. We hope you will join us in the coming weeks as we look at how we can manage our financial resources and truly experience simplicity, generosity, and joy.

Schedule of Events:

                                      November 1, 2009                              Sermon:  The Joys of Simplicity

                                                                                                         and  Generosity

                                       November 8, 2009                              Sermon:  The Wisdom and Goals of

                                                                                  Giving

                                     November 15, 2009                         Sermon:  Cultivating Contentment

                             November 22, 2009                            Sermon:  Defined by Generosity

                                                                                                         Consecration Sunday

                               November 29, 2009             Celebration Sunday -Results Celebration 

                                                                              and Consecration of the congregation's ministry

                   commitments