LCMS Stewardship Article: November 2016

Peace Lutheran Church January 2017 The Steward’s Way A Stewardship Newsletter

(LCMS Stewardship Article (January, 2017 Celebrating New Years is a celebration of the past and the future. We take stock of the past with thanksgiving and sometimes even relief (that it’s over), and we look to the future in the hope and anticipation .and perhaps even worry of what it holds The point is that New Year’s celebrations remind us of who we are as opposed to who we would like to be; what we have done in comparison to what we want to do. It reminds us of our accomplishments, but mostly it .reminds us of our failures. What we’ve lost. Who we’ve lost New Years is our own version of Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. And we all play Scrooge. We are .visited by the ghosts of our pasts, presents, and futures St. Paul writes: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” .((2 Cor 9:6–15 St. Paul tells us that the Lord of all will both supply and increase what you need to give to the church for its work in and for the world. He tells us that this work that God is doing in us will enrich and bless us in every way and through this it will produce thanksgiving to God. With this in mind, here is some practical advice to help you take stock of your giving of years past, which will help you to change what needs to be changed, .improved, or done away with altogether First, attend the Divine Service to receive God’s gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. If you’ve not been faithful in attending worship to hear the preaching of God’s Word, to receive forgiveness, and feast of the rich food of our Lord’s body and blood for the eternal benefit of your body and soul, then repent and come to .(receive the gifts God freely gives. God doesn’t want your money. He wants you—all of you (Matt 22:20–22 Second, pray for the Lord’s help. Your right as a Christian is to speak with your Father, the King of all creation, freely through His Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Go to the throne of grace and ask for strength and .(wisdom to follow His bidding faithfully (John 15:1–16 Third, consider what the Church is and what the Church does. The Church is a mercy place. It inhales the mercy of the Father by the death, resurrection, and ascension of His Son through the preaching of the Gospel and the Sacraments. It exhales this mercy in love toward the neighbor. You are a member of the Church, of God’s family. Thus, you are not only a recipient of God’s mercy, but a bearer of that mercy for the life of the world. You spread that mercy in showing

Stewardship of our talent

God created us with a great variety of talents. You may be able to run a marathon, organize a group meeting, teach, or write. Your skill may be typing, photography, or painting. Perhaps you sing or play a musical instrument. Maybe you are a carpenter, landscaper, engineer, mechanic, or bookkeeper. Each of us has a unique function to perform in life and in the Body of Christ.

1 Peace Lutheran Church January 2017 The Bible refers to the church as the Body of Christ with Christ as its Head (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 5:23). Just as your body has many specialized parts, each with its own function, so the church is composed of many individuals, each with his own special function to perform - and contribution to make - to the rest of the Body. I encourage you to identify your talents, and ask God to show you how to use them for His glory.

Every Christian possesses both natural talents and spiritual gifts. Our natural abilities come to us at physical birth and are developed through life. Our spiritual gifts are imparted by the Holy Spirit, enabling us to minister to others in behalf of Christ.

Natural Gifts

1. What talents and natural abilities do you have? How did you acquire them , or improve upon them?

2. According to I Corinthians 4:6-7 and Exodus 4:11, what should you attitude be about them?

3. How would you apply Colossians 3:17 to the stewardship of your natural gifts?

Spiritual Gifts

1. Major passages on spiritual gifts in the Bible are: Romans 12:3-8, I Corinthians 12:1-31, Ephesians 4:4-8,11- 16, I Peter 4:10-11. From these passages make a complete list of spiritual gifts (combine any two that might be identical). Give your brief description of the gift. (You may wish to consult a Bible dictionary if you have one.)

2. What are some reasons God has given gifted people to the church (Ephesians 4:11-16)?

3. Why will two people not exercise the same gift in the same manner? (I Corinthians 12:4-6)

4. Though some spiritual gifts seem to be of greater value than others (I Corinthians 12:28-31), what ideas does Paul stress to keep Christians from personal pride because of those they may possess? (Romans 12:4-5, I Corinthians 12:12-16, I Corinthians 13, Ephesians 4:11-16)

5. List several principles that describe what your attitude and responsibilities should be toward your spiritual gifts. (Romans 12:3-8)

Life Application

Follow these steps to more fully understand your part in the Body of Christ:

 Realize that you have at least one spiritual gift, probably more (Romans)

 Pray that God will make your gifts known to you

 Determine which of your activities the Lord seems to bless and inquire of other mature Christians who know you well what your spiritual gifts might be.

 List here what you believe your spiritual gifts are:

Seek to develop your gifts in the power of the Holy Spirit. Realize that you may have other gifts of which you are not presently aware, so exercise various gifts. Be aware that you are accountable to God for stewardship of your spiritual gifts.

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WHATEVER YOUR TALENTS,

THERE IS A FUNCTION FOR YOU AT PEACE!

The following list is of the many positions (talents) needed at Peace. Many of these positions are currently filled (Bless you all!), a few are vacant, and come June, a few more will be vacant due to term limits or “a need for a break”. If you feel that you are blessed with the talents that can be used to perform or assist in any of these jobs, please contact Pastor Naumann or Jack Bell for more information on what each position entails.

The elected officers of Peace:

o President o Vice President o Recording Secretary o Financial Secretary and two (2) Assistant Financial Secretaries o Treasurer o Elders (3) o Trustees (3) o Maintenance Officers (3)

The elected Boards* of Peace: o Board of Education o Board of Activities o Board of Worship o Board of Administration and Finance o Board of Stewardship o Board of Directors of the Christian Day School * Each of these boards needs at least 3 members.

Non-elected positions include the following; Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teachers, youth and choir director and members, musicians including organists, altar guild, Vacation Bible School Director and volunteers, Children’s Christmas Program director and volunteers, Sunday School Rally Day coordinator and volunteers, Thurmond Brisbane Homeless Shelter meals, youth group volunteers & Computer hardware/software/network technician.

If you did not see a particular use for the talents you feel the Lord blessed you with, please talk to Pastor Naumann .

* CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God's family, the church, in managing all of life and life's resources for God's purposes.

Submitted by: Beryl Meyerhoff, Comments? Stewardship Coordinator 3 [email protected]