Stewardship
“O Come, let us worship and bow down before our King and God.
O Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ, our King and God.
O Come, let us worship and bow down to Christ Himself, our King and God.”
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To the Faithful of Annunciation
As challenging as the last 18 months have been during the pandemic, the Lord’s promise holds true: ” … on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew. 16:18). Despite the shut-down and subsequent restrictions, the liturgical life of the Church continued, and we now look forward to a fuller opening, especially Sunday Church school and the many ministries that define our life in Christ as we fulfill our core mission, to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). The Great Commission is the “Why” for everything we do at Annunciation: worship, witness, fellowship, service and formation (Christian education). “What” we do as members of the Body of Christ is to offer our time, talent and treasures, and we the leadership of Annunciation now ask you to focus on the latter, specifically Christian stewardship as a spiritual discipline.
The Great Commission of our Lord ends as follows: “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” What do the Scriptures teach regarding our use of money? How much should we give? While the Biblical tithe is the goal, our philosophy for giving emphasizes that it is not an obligation but a sacred privilege. Our Lord has already given everything for us, and we are reminded at every Divine Liturgy as our offering of bread and wine are consecrated:
”Your own (gifts) of Your own we offer to You, in all and for all.”
With the beginning of the Church New Year (September 1st), we the clergy and members of the Parish Council are asking all our faithful to consider the following in making your personal offering (best gift) to the Lord’s Church.
With the beginning of the Church New Year (September 1st), we the clergy and members of the Parish Council are asking all our faithful to consider the following in making your personal offering (best gift) to the Lord’s Church.
Giving Suggestions
Remember This:
• Our need to give is more important than the Church’s need to receive. We need the Church, not vice versa.
• Make your gift recurring (weekly) and proportional to your household income: “On the first day of the week let each one of you Jay something aside, storing up as he may prosper.” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Consult the Giving Goal Guideline here. If you are a new steward start with one percent and increase over time. If you are a “regular” steward, consider rounding up toward the minimum goal of 5 percent (half-tithe).
• Finally, be joyful! “Let everyone give as his heart tells him, neither grudgingly, nor under compulsion, for God loves the man that gives cheerfully.” (2 Corinthians 9:7). If you follow the Lord’s teaching, you will discover that giving will bring you much joy.