You can also find this newsletter on the web at www.HolyCrossRedmond.org/GrowingHomeNewsletter/2015-10/.
When David wanted to buy Araunah’s land to build an altar, Araunah generously offered it as a gift. But David refused, saying, “I will not sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24). David wanted to offer a sacrifice to God. The word “sacrifice” implies giving that costs the giver something. To give sacrificially requires more than a token effort or gift. God wants us to give voluntarily, but He wants it to mean something.
Should we sell everything we own and give it to the church? No. We should, however, be willing to give up anything God asks us to. This kind of attitude allows nothing to come between us and God, and keeps us from using our God-given wealth selfishly.
Be willing to commit our gifts wholeheartedly, not holding anything back from God.
We have been given excellent resources to build and expand God’s kingdom. He expects us to use what he has given us so that these blessings multiply and the Kingdom grows. God asks each of us to account for what we do with His gifts. While awaiting the coming of the Kingdom of God in glory, we must do His work here on earth.
Jesus went to the cross for our salvation. In what ways do we mirror that model of Christ’s sacrifice in the way that we serve others and give of our gifts for those who don’t yet know Christ in their lives?
On Sunday, October 25th, we will have the opportunity to hear an inspirational Bible Study entitled “Christian Stewardship: Believe It or Not!” Led by Marc Rieke, our stewardship consultant from The Enrichment Group, this Bible Study will lead us through what God has to say to us in scripture about giving, generosity, and Christian stewardship.
Weaving together elements of his own stewardship experience, Marc will share insights into a variety of both old and new testament scripture texts, and provide us with good food for thought as we continue our Growing Home stewardship campaign.
The Bible Study will be offered as an adult forum following each worship service. Plan now to be a part of this special program on October 25th.
One definition of the word enrich is “to make fuller, more meaningful, or more rewarding.” That is the goal of this series of gatherings: to provide information, conversation and inspiration so that every participant’s experience of the Growing Home stewardship campaign may be full, meaningful, and rewarding.
The gatherings will give members of Holy Cross an opportunity to learn about the goals for the campaign, to ask questions and make comments. Participants will not be asked to make a financial commitment during the gatherings. Instead, it is hoped that everyone attending will leave with a clearer sense of Holy Cross’s mission and its ministries.
The Enrichment Gatherings program is an ambitious project intended to involve every member of the Holy Cross family. They will take place over the months of October and November in members’ homes and at the church. Sign-ups will be available in the Fellowship Hall.
A member of the campaign team will be at each of the gatherings to show a short DVD presentation which explains the church’s mission and ministries, and the Growing Home goals. The presentation will be followed by plenty of time for questions and conversation.
The entire Campaign Leadership Team invites you to participate in these gatherings, so that you can be informed about the current needs of the church and have a part in shaping our dreams for the future.
Prayer is the spiritual foundation for our stewardship campaign, Growing Home. A prayer vigil will be held on Saturday, November 7th. Please plan to attend an hour or two of the prayer vigil to praise God for all He’s done and will continue to do. The vigil will include prayers for the needs of the congregation, the ministries of Holy Cross and success of the stewardship campaign.
A sign-up sheet will be available in the Fellowship Hall for your chosen hours of prayer during the vigil.
A special event will be held for those parishioners who wish to start the momentum by making their commitments to the Growing Home campaign in advance of Commitment Sunday (December 6).
Save the date of Saturday, December 5th and plan to celebrate the Growing Home campaign with our church family at an All-Church Banquet in our new Fellowship Hall.
Gather together with drinks and hors d’oeuvres at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Activities will be provided for the kids. Watch the mail for your invitation!
What is “Christian” about money management? Perhaps it’s in the way we look at it. Certainly non-Christians can also manage their money, but Christians are unique in that they know the ownership is not theirs, but God’s. Therefore, our responsibility to manage money well is a higher responsibility or calling. God wants us to be good managers and we are accountable to Him for our management of all His gifts and resources, including our lives.
In what ways is greed dangerous to our relationship with God?
How do our actions demonstrate our faith and trust in God? When we act faithfully, who is at the center of our lives?
What would happen if we all prayed about our gifts and followed scripture?
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If you need to contact us at the Church of the Holy Cross, Redmond, WA, please email us at Office@HolyCrossRedmond.org or phone us at 425.885.5822.