Stewardship 2012
Thanks Be To God! We say this phrase each Sunday as we hear a reading from scripture. God’s grace and gifts calls forth our gratitude. Faith begins in this joyful recognition of what we have been given by God.
Stewardship Video - Week 1
Untitled from Haley Smith on Vimeo.
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Please prayerfully consider your financial commitment to fund ministry in 2012.
To pledge online, click here.
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Stewardship Video - Week 2
Personal notes from members...
You don’t have to look too hard to find scripture related to the topic of giving. In fact, the Bible approaches this subject from many different angles. Some passages command us to give, some encourage us to give; some verses provide specific instructions, while others simply advocate generosity. And while most all of them paint a picture of responsibility and obligation, I feel that there is a whole other dimension that deserves attention.
To me personally, the act of giving is way more than just something we are called to do - it is an opportunity to praise, and an opportunity to worship. By choosing this perspective, I feel that the act of giving evolves from the physical transfer of one’s talents and treasures to a more spiritual act, led by faith and carried out by our hearts. The notion of amount gives way to the notion of commitment, and the whole process becomes something we can do AND be engaged in.
Now, practically speaking, this is a lot easier said than done. But to illustrate my personal experiences, I like to use as analogy the common New Years’ resolution of getting back into shape. For most of us, the real issue isn’t jogging or walking or getting to the gym - it’s committing to the idea, and then following through with doing it. Once you are over that initial hurdle of making yourself show up, it’s amazing to see how much you actually can do...and even more amazing to realize how good it can make you feel. Giving our tithes and offerings isn’t a whole lot different. Sometimes the hardest part about it is conditioning ourselves to the practice. Once we’ve made the commitment and begun carrying it out, it’s amazing to see that beyond the physical giving there is a multitude of spiritual gain and growth.
– Andy Parker
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – Psalms 107:1
The Good Lord has blessed my family with so much! We have a wonderful church, a loving extended family, and a close-knit network of friends and community that make our lives rich and fulfilling. As our family ages, it continues to spread out… geographically, that is. Now with two kids in college, we have come to appreciate even more the protective Hand of God as it keeps all of us safe in our various travels and endeavors. And, all we are asked to do in return is to give back a portion to the One who made it all possible in the first place.
My family gives to the Church as a small symbol of our appreciation for all we have received. When we think about Trinity specifically, we think how much we have received from things like the Chancel Choir, the Element Student Ministry, the Trinity Players, the John Wesley Sunday School Class, Morning Worship, and the Cross and Flame Youth Choir. Of course when it comes to stewardship, I think the old saying is “You can’t out-give God”. No matter how much we give, it will never match all the grace and mercy God freely pours out on us every day. But, the act of giving is so important, regardless of the amount, because it allows us to enter into a relationship with God of reverent understanding and worshipful thanks.
– Kyle Bass
As our stewardship campaign theme this year is “Thanks be to God,” I was thinking of all that we have at Trinity to be thankful for. Items on a long list include an overflowing children’s program, active Sunday School classes, three worship services with outstanding music, and a beautiful facility that has activities going on, not just on Sunday morning, but at all hours every day of the week. Trinity is an active member of the community. We reach out through programs locally such as Habitat for Humanity, and when the community needs help after events such as the tornadoes this April, Trinity members were there to serve. Among numerous other activities, our teenagers go on projects such as SOS every year and Trinity members have traveled throughout the world on mission trips to help serve those in need.
Everything we do at Trinity needs leadership, volunteers and financial resources. Our leadership cannot plan activities for the upcoming year without an idea of what financial resources will be available. Our annual pledges allow leadership to plan effectively. It has been said that worship is an adoration of God and our financial commitment, regardless of the amount, is one way we can express this. God has given us so much at Trinity to be thankful for and I hope you will join me in making an annual financial commitment as one part of saying “Thanks be to God!”
– Jerry Smith