Lord, You give us the gift of Summer, not as a break from you or stewardship of your gifts, but as a challenge for us to be stewards of your gifts in a different way.
As we enjoy the gifts of longer days and nice weather, help us to consider how we might use those gifts to regularly give you thanks for all your wonderful generosity and to further build up your kingdom!
We ask this in your name.
Amen.
Got some thoughts, some ideas? We meet each month on the first Saturday. Join us
Saturday, September 4, 2010
9:00 AM
Parish Center
We have a new resource to help you figure out how you might best use your talents. A series of Ministry Cards are now located in the parish center foyer. Each card provideds details about ministries, activities, and events that happen regularly at Holy Cross. You will find information about how to become involved and who to contact if you're interested in learning more. Stop by anytime and browse the many opportunities available.
Something catch your eye? Take the card(s) with you so you can give it more consideration through thought and prayer. You'll also have all the contact information if you decide to take the next step!
A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord...The entire tithe of the herd and flock - every tenth animal that passes under the shepard's rod - will be holy to the Lord.
Leviticus 27:30, 32
Stewardship is a way of life...not something we do just for a week, a month, or a year.
Everything we have is a gift from God. As His children, we are accountable for our use of the gifts He bestows on us. In gratitude, we return to the Lord, a share of our gifts of time, talent, and treasure to further God's Kingdom.
We give Him the first portion of these entrusted gifts, thus making a faith decision that responds to our Christian calling and its responsibilities. It is an act of the heart. You may give without loving, but you can not love without giving.
This basic principle of Christian Stewardship is the starting point for Sacrificial Giving in our Offertory Program.
Time & Talent at Holy Cross
This involves prayers, professional expertise and physical labor in support of parish activities and the greater community.
Where to Begin? Our primary Gift of Time must be in our celebration of the Lord's Day. The best gift we can give to God and to ourselves is the Gift of the Eucharist. We know how busy our lives can be and how our time is so limited, but there is no better gift of time that to unite ourselves with the passion, death , and resurrection of Jesus in the community of believers. it is this gift of the Body and Blood of Jesus that strengthens us to use the talents that God has given us. True Stewardship calls us to set aside time each week to join in the Celebration of the Eucharist.
Discernment of Time & Talent We ask each parishioner to pray and discern what God is asking of you. He only asks us to do what we do best in service to our parish and the greater community. Consider these definitions as you pray for guidance and understanding:
Talents - a natural tendency such as: thriving under pressure, picking up on the emotions of others, making others laugh, visualizing future scenerios, enjoying puzzles, to name but a very few. Talents are tranferable from situation to situation.
Skills - something that is learned such as: adding and subtracting, using software to prepare a presentation, parallel parking, checking someone into a hotel, for example. Skills can be very situation specific.
Knowledge - what you know through education and training or through experience such as: the fastest route to the grocery store, what time Mass is held, the FAA's safety regulations. Like Skills, Knowledge can be situation specific.
Strength - begins with talent and is enhanced by the right skills and useful knowledge.
The Power of the Right Fit Our Ministry Card rack, located in the parish center foyer (see description to you upper right) can also provide guidance toward active involvement that will be fulfilling and inspiring for you and who God created you to be.
This means giving the first fruits of your material wealth. It is important for every parishioner participate through their gift of Treasure. The parish offertory program is the backbone of the financial operation of our parish and of the greater Church.
Remember the Bible teaches us to give 10%. How close are you to that level of giving?