November 5, 2015

Every November, right before the descent of the holiday season, Lakeshore emphasizes the importance of stewardship. In October, the children were encouraged to share their coins with others in support of international ministries and missionaries. November 8 our middle schoolers and high schoolers will lead a worship service celebrating sharing and generosity. November 15, as an act of worship, the congregation is invited to offer up to God and the congregation their pledges of time, talent and treasure for the year ahead.
Being good stewards (or caretakers) of our resources is at the heart of all of these actions. We want to teach our children, we have something to learn from our youth, and we need to remind ourselves through corporate acts of worship that all we have is a gift from God. Such lessons are counter-cultural. They go against a multitude of messages we hear daily about what we’ve earned, what we deserve, what we desire and what we need, yet they are essential to living out our faith – allowing what we believe to truly shape our actions. Our faith should be evident in how we spend our money, how we use our time and how we share our gifts. If you are like me, this is a message you need reminded of on a regular basis.
On November 8, at the quarterly business meeting, we will look over the proposed budget of the church and the nominations for positions of service in the church. Come check out how we as a church designate our resources for both the good of the church and the good of the gospel. Before November 15, I encourage you to take time to prayerfully consider your own pledge of time, talent and treasure for the year ahead – what do you have to share, and how can you engage your faith in the sharing of your resources with others? In so doing, we are invited to more fully enact our faith in our lives.
May November’s emphasis on stewardship continue to shape our faith, and our actions.
Yours on the journey,
Allison