The Stewardship Retreat
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Sept. 20, 2014
Facilitated by Robin Abbott
Sept. 20, 2014
Facilitated by Robin Abbott
Download the pdf article for your reading or printing pleasure.
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*Resources used: “Stewards of God's Love” handbook, ELW Hymnal, Bible
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Itinerary
9:30 am Arrival 9:45 am Opening Worship 10:00 am The Basics 10:15 am The Down 10:30 am The In 10:45 am The Out 11:05 am how are we doing? 11:25 am Closing 11:30 am Dismissal |
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When Robin was asked to facilitate this workshop, she knowingly accepted..."If the Lord is trying to teach me something, He asks me to teach it."
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“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind”. This is the greatest and first commandment. The second is close to it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. Matthew 22: 37b-39
Stewardship is a matter of the heart. God gives and expects us to give back of the love that has found us through Jesus Christ.
When you hear the word Stewardship, what do you think of?
Should it be emphasized or done daily instead of exercised when we need money or during budget time? Many may be hesitant, wondering what is the limit to my Stewardship, how long will I have to do this “thing” that I have volunteered to do with my money or time?
Many of our first experiences with Stewardship in our lives are the offering baskets with which our parents contributed to on Sunday services and thus our first thought is that Stewardship is a monetary gift.
Stewardship is a matter of the heart. God gives and expects us to give back of the love that has found us through Jesus Christ.
When you hear the word Stewardship, what do you think of?
- Money
- Time & Talents
- Giving
- Taking care of or helping others
- The Golden Rule
Should it be emphasized or done daily instead of exercised when we need money or during budget time? Many may be hesitant, wondering what is the limit to my Stewardship, how long will I have to do this “thing” that I have volunteered to do with my money or time?
Many of our first experiences with Stewardship in our lives are the offering baskets with which our parents contributed to on Sunday services and thus our first thought is that Stewardship is a monetary gift.
GIVE FROM THE HEART.
Stewardship is about relationships;
our relationships with God
and our relationship with each other.
GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR US IN ABUNDANCE.
As we grow in faith and discipleship,
our Stewardship tends to grow as well.
PUT YOURSELF IN GOD'S HANDS.
God doesn't need money. What would you like to give?
Stewardship is about relationships;
our relationships with God
and our relationship with each other.
GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR US IN ABUNDANCE.
As we grow in faith and discipleship,
our Stewardship tends to grow as well.
PUT YOURSELF IN GOD'S HANDS.
God doesn't need money. What would you like to give?
“Would you prayerfully consider serving?”, offered Ivan Smith.
One should pray, ask God, seek His advice on where you can best serve Him and His. In what way can you make a commitment to serve? Through the seasons of our life, we may be able to serve in various ways. Some days time is easier to come by than money...and the opposite also holds true. Talents grow, morph, mature and continue to develop our whole lives. What are able to do today?
DOWN: Our Relationship with God
Stewardship begins at creation. “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” Genesis 1:28
Humanity is not the owner of diddly squat, but a Steward of what God has created.
Stewards of God's Grace
Group 1: In reading Corinthians 6:19-20 and Galatians 3:23-29
We belong to God. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. God gave us these bodies to be Stewards of. We are saved by Grace. We take care of that grace and share it to honor God.
Stewards of The Story
Group 2: In reading Corinthians 4:1-2 and Mark 16:15
God's gospel story is written on our hearts.
God has given us truths throughout the Bible to be trustworthy. Are we trustworthy to be stewards of what God has given us? Thank God for Grace! The world is pulling bits and pieces of our story away. How dare “we Christians” want to keep God in things? How do we keep our story alive? We are Stewards of The Story.
Stewards of Creation
Group 3: In reading Genesis 1, Psalm 24:1 and Psalm 8 (6-8)
God has blessed us. God was the 1st Steward. He shared everything with us. God says, “I give you...” many times in Genesis 1. God used variety and creativity in Creation, like Him, we too have the talent of creativity. The Lord is the owner and we are the Stewards. God made us the ruler over the works of His hands. God the visionary, crafted a tremendous gift for us...the Earth, and has written his signature all over it. How can we better respect this masterpiece? We all have to do our part and put the future generation's needs ahead of ours in the present.
Group 1: In reading Corinthians 6:19-20 and Galatians 3:23-29
We belong to God. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. God gave us these bodies to be Stewards of. We are saved by Grace. We take care of that grace and share it to honor God.
Stewards of The Story
Group 2: In reading Corinthians 4:1-2 and Mark 16:15
God's gospel story is written on our hearts.
God has given us truths throughout the Bible to be trustworthy. Are we trustworthy to be stewards of what God has given us? Thank God for Grace! The world is pulling bits and pieces of our story away. How dare “we Christians” want to keep God in things? How do we keep our story alive? We are Stewards of The Story.
Stewards of Creation
Group 3: In reading Genesis 1, Psalm 24:1 and Psalm 8 (6-8)
God has blessed us. God was the 1st Steward. He shared everything with us. God says, “I give you...” many times in Genesis 1. God used variety and creativity in Creation, like Him, we too have the talent of creativity. The Lord is the owner and we are the Stewards. God made us the ruler over the works of His hands. God the visionary, crafted a tremendous gift for us...the Earth, and has written his signature all over it. How can we better respect this masterpiece? We all have to do our part and put the future generation's needs ahead of ours in the present.
IN: What God Has Entrusted to Our Care
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10
God has given each of talents, time, money, and stuff.
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34
God has given each of talents, time, money, and stuff.
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34
Stewards of Talents
Group 1: Ephesians 4:1-6 and 1 Corinthians 12
Combining our talents and using what God has given us. Lead a life worthy of the calling – Luther called this our vocation. How blessed is the person who turns his vocation into his occupation.
Stewards of Time
Group 2: Matthew 25:1-13, Proverbs 31:10-31, and Exodus 20:8-11
Be ready, be prepared. Use your time wisely. How do you use the time God has given to you? Be a good Steward of your time. Be industrious, care for others, honor the Lord. How much time do you give God each day. Take time to rest, refresh and center yourself.
Stewards of Money
Group 3: Luke 12:22-34 and Matthew 19:16-26
Money shouldn't be the focus. Do not worry, do not be afraid. Focus on the Kingdom of God. Don't withhold, don't worry, God will provide. Whatever God has given you, feel blessed. Say thank you for what you have and give back.
Stewards of Stuff
Group 1-3: Luke 12:13-21 and Matthew 6:19-24
Many of us have an abundance of stuff. We can't take it with us. We can't serve God and Wealth.
Group 1: Ephesians 4:1-6 and 1 Corinthians 12
Combining our talents and using what God has given us. Lead a life worthy of the calling – Luther called this our vocation. How blessed is the person who turns his vocation into his occupation.
Stewards of Time
Group 2: Matthew 25:1-13, Proverbs 31:10-31, and Exodus 20:8-11
Be ready, be prepared. Use your time wisely. How do you use the time God has given to you? Be a good Steward of your time. Be industrious, care for others, honor the Lord. How much time do you give God each day. Take time to rest, refresh and center yourself.
Stewards of Money
Group 3: Luke 12:22-34 and Matthew 19:16-26
Money shouldn't be the focus. Do not worry, do not be afraid. Focus on the Kingdom of God. Don't withhold, don't worry, God will provide. Whatever God has given you, feel blessed. Say thank you for what you have and give back.
Stewards of Stuff
Group 1-3: Luke 12:13-21 and Matthew 6:19-24
Many of us have an abundance of stuff. We can't take it with us. We can't serve God and Wealth.
How might we live more simply or find balance?
A change is perspective!
As Ted Golubinski, Sr. said, “What you look for is what you find.”
The church facilitates and organizes ways to give.
The church has a building and a garden (stuff) that is used to benefit others.
Giving makes the receiver and the giver happy...they both benefit.
We can use our stuff to benefit others.
A change is perspective!
As Ted Golubinski, Sr. said, “What you look for is what you find.”
The church facilitates and organizes ways to give.
The church has a building and a garden (stuff) that is used to benefit others.
Giving makes the receiver and the giver happy...they both benefit.
We can use our stuff to benefit others.
Out: Our Relationship with Neighbors
“Truly I tell you, just as you did to one of the least of these who are a member of my family, you did it to me.”Matthew 25:40
Stewards of Justice
Group 1 & Group 2: Isaiah 1:12-17, James 2, Amos 5:21-24, and Ephesians 2:11-20
How do we seek justice? How do we be a Steward of God's justice? We treat people JUST and extend grace to all. Take the justice and righteousness that God has given us and extend it to all. All that you do is for naught if you don't use your stewardship for all. In God's sight we are all one. “And Justice For All”.
Stewards of Local and Global Communities
Group 2: Matthew 25:31-46, Proverbs 3:27-28
What we do for the least of these, we do for God. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it. When it is in your power, act.
Stewards of Justice
Group 1 & Group 2: Isaiah 1:12-17, James 2, Amos 5:21-24, and Ephesians 2:11-20
How do we seek justice? How do we be a Steward of God's justice? We treat people JUST and extend grace to all. Take the justice and righteousness that God has given us and extend it to all. All that you do is for naught if you don't use your stewardship for all. In God's sight we are all one. “And Justice For All”.
Stewards of Local and Global Communities
Group 2: Matthew 25:31-46, Proverbs 3:27-28
What we do for the least of these, we do for God. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it. When it is in your power, act.
In my baptism I am called to be a Steward of time, money, talents...
YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN - GO GIVE!
Can we shift the focus of Stewardship from what we get to what we give?
By practicing year-round Stewardship, we are freed from the constraints of budget
and are reconnected with the spirit of giving.
Stewardship is love
and it is most evident when we invest our treasures,
our talents, our time, our money...our stuff
for the work of our Father's Kingdom.
Thank you Robin Abbott and the Stewardship Committee!
Fantastic Discussion
Can we shift the focus of Stewardship from what we get to what we give?
By practicing year-round Stewardship, we are freed from the constraints of budget
and are reconnected with the spirit of giving.
Stewardship is love
and it is most evident when we invest our treasures,
our talents, our time, our money...our stuff
for the work of our Father's Kingdom.
Thank you Robin Abbott and the Stewardship Committee!
Fantastic Discussion
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Delicious Brunch
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Wonderful Fellowship
Closing Worship
Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.