More on Stewardship
His Church... The Body of Christ
Our Inheritance
We are One Church, His Church. Our Church family is an integral part of the Body of Christ: the authentic continuation of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. The manner and means by which we love and serve God as faithful stewards of His Church reflects our commitment to Him and the extent to which the Lord our God is the center of our life.
When we come together as Orthodox Christians and serve His will, we bolster the Church that He has entrusted to us as well as answer His sacred call.
Orthodox Christian Stewardship begins when we... Believe and ACT on those beliefs!
Stewardship begins when we submit ourselves to God and truly believe in Him. This very faith strengthens our relationship with Him and affects every aspect of our life. Our bond with the Lord our God begins with faith, is maintained by the Holy Spirit, and is continually renewed in our actions. As Orthodox Christians we believe that all the faithful together constitute the Royal Priesthood and bear a personal responsibility for the welfare of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Our Legacy
Knowing full well our abundant inheritance - now is the time for us to build our legacy and strengthen our relationship with Christ. Our Stewardship is nothing less than a faithful commitment to God. The work of the Lord, the hope of current and future generations of Orthodox Christians depends on all of us and our stewardship. Our Church is an essential part of the body of Christ and His plan for the salvation of the world. When we embrace our calling to be stewards of His Church we commit ourselves to God and His Good News. The more we have been blessed by the Lord our God, the more He expects us to give back to Him and His Church in terms of ..... our time, our talent and our treasure! Sharing our time talent and treasure is an important way for us to grow as Orthodox Christians.
It deepens our relationship with God and helps meet the commitment made at our Baptism and renewed every Sunday - to serve Christ our God with all our heart, mind, body and soul... forever. Everything is God's gift to us! Everything we have is a blessing from God! What we do with those blessings is our gift to God!...and is a hallmark of our faith, our love and our legacy. Christ loves us so much He sacrifices Himself for us. For Him and His sake what sacrifices can we make for Him and His Church?
With all of this in our mind and in our heart, please take a moment and fill out the 2009 Stewardship Commitment Card and Pledge of Time and Talent Form. By completing and keeping up-to-date your Family Information Form you help the parish maintain the record of your legacy as integral members of Annunciation Church family. As a basic element towards strengthening your relationship with God, prayerfully consider your challenges and opportunities. Then, please make a Stewardship commitment to Christ and His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Additional Stewardship Information
INCREASE YOUR STEWARDSHIP
In making a decision, one should keep in mind that the expenses of our Parish and the Church increase every year. In order to grow our ministries and meet our expenses, each Steward should strive to increase his or her offering annually.
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Your Stewardship Commitment is kept in confidence. Jesus taught us that giving should be done quietly, generously, and out of sight of others. If you wish to revise your offering during the year for any reason, you may send a note to the Church Office indicating your intention.
WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP GIVING
You may remit your offering in the manner that suits you best. Since small regular contributions are easier to manage, it is suggested that your contribution be made on a weekly basis. "On the first day of every week (Sunday), each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income" (1 Corinthians 16:2).
THE STEWARD
The Stewardship Commitment qualifies a husband and wife (for married couples) and single adults as Stewards. Sunday School students offer their own Stewardship each Sunday. Family members over 18 years of age who are employed should make their own Stewardship Commitment.
Stewards are considered parishioners in good standing with the Parish and may vote and seek elective office in the administration of the Parish as provided in the Archdiocesan Regulations.
NEW STEWARDS
Orthodox Christians who wish to become parishioners in good standing in our parish may become Stewards of Annunciation by making a Stewardship Commitment for the current year.
For additional stewardship resources please visit:
www.stewardship.goach.org
Or contact your Parish Stewardship Committee