God’s Stewards: Stewardship of our Giftedness

Stewards – It’s what we are

The final unit in our year of Basics is called “God’s Stewards – Treasuring What We’ve Been Given.” And when we hear the word “stewardship,” most of us automatically think about money.
BUT STEWARDSHIP IS ABOUT SO MUCH MORE! Stewardship is about managing well all that God has placed into our care. Throughout the next six weeks, we’ll discover treasures we didn’t even know we’d been given, along with helpful perspectives about how to care for those treasures in ways that bring us joy, bless our neighbor, build the Kingdom and glorify God.

This week, we start with being Stewards of our Giftedness. Proclaiming that “I’m gifted” isn’t easy for most Lutherans.  We’ve been taught to be humble instead of arrogant.  But those words remind us that all we have and all we are indeed are gifts from God – to be used for the good of the community and the mission of God.  We can’t take credit for them nor can we hide them.  How we identify them and then use them for the sake of God’s Kingdom is what we’ll uncover this Sunday.

May 4th Worship Changes:
This week, we will worship together as we then will discuss the business of the church in a congregational meeting.  The schedule looks like this:

9:30 AM Worship of Word and Sacrament

  • After the children’s sermon, children from age 3-6 will be invited to children’s church and will remain there until after the congregational meeting.
  • We will welcome Henry Wyatt Parry into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism
  • We will receive enrollment intentions for the next communion preparation class.

10:30 AM Congregational Meeting

  • We invite children from 1-6th grade to join the younger ones for a video and activities
  • This meeting will also have an election for church council.  All confirmed members of SOTH are eligible to vote.

11 AM Congregational Brunch

  • This potluck event rounds out our day!  You are invited to bring your favorite breakfast or lunch dish to share with the group.

Meeting Materials: The following links will allow you to download the Pastor’s Easter LEtter, the 2013 annual report of the church, the meeting minutes from December 2013 regarding the 2014 FY Spending plan, and a program vision for SOTH for 2014-2015.  Please read them prior to Sunday.  Many thanks!

Pastor’s Easter Letter
2013 Annual Report of the Church
December 2013 Meeting Minutes
Rise Up Program Year 2014-2015

THANK YOU FOR BUYING THE FARM!
Actually – thank you for for buying THREEfarms through the God’s GLobal Barnyard Lenten Giving Appeal!  That’s right!  THREE farms!  We raised $2314.11 – which then leaves us with some extra money to also purchase other animals for more families. The animals and farm implements, along with education and market support will definitely change the lives of families!  Your abundance in helping and sharing your first fruits with others is a faithful way of being God’s hand and feet in the world!

First Communion Preparation – Spring Edition:
Twice a year, classes are held for our fourth grade students to prepare to receive communion.  This is a 5 four session class, which includes a lock-in, for the youth and their parents.  If you have a child in fourth grade or feel that your child is ready to receive communion instruction, please contact Denise Roberts.  The first class will begin on Monday May 5 at 6:30 PM.

With praise and thanksgiving,
Pastor Tina 🙂

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