May 2012
The purpose of this newsletter is to promote year-round stewardship. Each issue will include a “to do” list for that month, as well as items that may be included in worship bulletins and newsletters. Book reviews, questions, comments, problems with your church’s stewardship program and suggestions to improve this newsletter are all welcomed.
Email revbill_bumc@sbcglobal.net
“Christian stewardship is the practice of systematic and proportionate giving of time, talent, and material possessions, based on the conviction that these things are a trust from God to be used in the service and benefit of mankind, in grateful acknowledgement of Christ’s redeeming love.”
United Stewardship Council 1945
May To-Do List
- Remit shared ministry payment to the annual conference treasurer.
- Order your Peace With Justice Sunday materials for June 3 if not already done.
- encourage your congregation or some smaller group within the congregation to hold a church-yard clean up so your entire property proclaims the glory of God.
- encourage some group in your church to clean up the local park, ball fields, or other community areas as stewardship of the community in which you live and serve.
- Update your congregation on the changes from General Conference that will impact our
lives and ministry.
- Promote the Peace with Justice Sunday offering in your bulletin on May 20 and 27 including the amount your congregation contributed last year.
Planned Giving
Be sure to subscribe to the East Ohio Foundation blog from Brian Sheetz. Invite your church leaders to subscribe. Or you can forward it on to them so Brian’s insights can further your congregation’s stewardship.
Check out Brian's blog for more stewardship resources.
INTRODUCTIONS TO THE OFFERING FOR LECTIONARY PREACHERS
(These can be printed in the bulletin at the place of the offering, or spoken as the invitation for the ushers to come forward)
MAY 6 Fifth Sunday of Easter
Jesus is “the true vine.” Branches wanting to produce fruit need to stay firmly attached to him. The faithful steward produces fruit by remaining attached to Jesus.
MAY 13 Festival of The Christian Home/Mother’s Day
Use this day to speak about stewardship of family relationships and how we all must nurture those relationships as the living entities they genuinely are.
MAY 20- Heritage Sunday
Use John Wesley’s heart-warming Aldersgate experience as a stewardship experience that each of us has inherited. How do we manage our Christian faith and United Methodist traditions and heritage in ways that bring vitality to our lives and our congregations?
MAY 27- Pentecost
Use Pentecost as an opportunity to talk about both the “Gifts of the Spirit” and the “Fruit of the Spirit” and the ways we are called upon to use them to change lives and change the world. The good steward uses his or her gifts in as many ways as possible. What a great day to remind your congregation of that. Also, consider celebrating the various ways specific members of your congregation are using their gifts in various ministries.
INTRODUCTIONS TO THE OFFERING FOR GENERAL USE
(These can be used the same as the above statements. You might also consider printing the above statements in your bulletin at the place of the offering without ever speaking them, and then using these as your spoken introductions to the offering)
May 6 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Jesus is “the true vine.” Branches wanting to produce fruit need to stay firmly attached to him. The faithful steward produces fruit by remaining attached to Jesus.
May 13 – Festival of the Christian Home/Mother’s Day/Sixth Sunday of Easter
“This is my command to you: You are to love each other.” A faithful steward accepts this challenge on a daily basis, knowing it is not easy, but it is what Jesus calls us to.
May 20 -Seventh Sunday of Easter/Heritage Sunday
“Keep them under your protection,” asks Jesus of God. What is he asking? He is asking God to care for us, to practice stewardship, with us. How good are we at caring for others?
May 27 – Day of Pentecost
“The Spirit of Truth will guide you,” Jesus tells his followers. As faithful stewards, do we ask for and follow the Spirit’s guidance in our day-to-day interactions?
WEBSITES WORTH CHECKING OUT:
GBD-Stewardship
umcgiving.org
generous giving.org
Maximumgenerosity.org
Crown Financial Ministries
Ecumenical Stewardship Center
www.clergy-financial.com
LeWay Resources
Quill Giving Program
INFORMATION |