Our Blessings ... What Have We Been Given?

Our Bounty...What Can We Give Back?

As we embark on the 2010 Stewardship season -, looking at the state of the economy, the reality that many people are suffering not only abroad but in our own country and that hunger is presenting itself at our very doorstep, it is easy to get caught up in the culture of scarcity. Instead of letting that happen, we look instead to what we have been given, and what and how we can return that so that our world will be one of bounty and an ever-increasing awareness of God's never-ceasing, all encompassing love. That is our prayer during this season.

We invite you to take the journey from Blessing to Bounty along with us. We hope, also, that you will rejoice with us as we celebrate our blessings with our donations of time, talents, and tresures.

What is Stewardship?

Using what we have been given to honor God and help others.

It starts by acknowledging that God has given each of us gifts - talents and resources. The greatest of which is Christ himself: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. As disciples of Christ, it is our obligation (and privilege) to do our best to take care of these gifts and use them well. When we do this, we honor God. 

Part of Stewardship involves a financial campaign and pledges. RUC needs pledges and financial contributions, in order to support God’s ministry to our congregation and visitors, share the Good News beyond our church, and serve our local and world communities through mission. 

Stewardship is also about how we live our lives and use our time and talent. We are a blessed community and have much to be thankful for, despite life’s challenges and adversities. Saying “thank you” to God through prayer, joyful service, and pledges gives glory to God and can bring us an abundance of love and peace. If you are one of the countless people who give so freely and generously of your gifts: thank you! If you have not yet found a way to use your time, talent, or treasure at RUC please give it prayerful consideration and find your way onto one of the many rewarding, important committees. 

If someone asks you to serve at RUC please pray and think about where your gifts could best be used, and then say yes! If you haven’t been approached, please ask what you can do. We need you. There is so much to be done to fulfill our ministry and mission within our church and beyond. If you are able-bodied, able-minded or able-spirited, there is some thing you can do. Some gift you have that can be offered up in gratitude for what God has given and for who God is. 

There are countless ways to serve:

• putting out the coffee and planning/holding fellowship events
• setting-up the sanctuary for worship
• singing praises in choir
• taking care of our congregation’s various physical, emotional and spiritual needs
• welcoming visitors and new members
• beautifying and maintaining the church building and grounds
• providing Christian education to youth and adults
• overseeing RUC’s finances
• helping plan and participate in our worship services
• sharing God’s word and love
• participating in the many local, national and global mission and outreach activities this church supports and organizes; and
• helping with the annual Stewardship campaign

And that’s just how to serve AT RUC. There are many other ways to serve through RUC in our communities by helping support the needs and activities of numerous local charitable organizations (a list of which can be found in the Time & Talent book distributed during the annual Stewardship campaign or by contacting the church office).

We’re all busy. But who knows, maybe by sacrificing some of our time through serving God at RUC, we’ll be blessed even more by finding ways to make the most of our time we have here and store up treasures for ourselves in eternity…

Shalom,

The Stewardship Committee