Joy…Simplicity…Generosity

 

October has arrived and with it comes an exciting time to participate in a much-needed period of reflection and growth.  The three words above don’t seem to necessarily go together in the world in which we live.  Yet, they are, by God’s design, marks of faithfulness in dealing with our gifts and resources…our money.  During October, we’ll be considering our relationship with money and make a comparison between what we have grown up with in our current economic setting and what the Bible teaches us.  You will receive some helpful tools to help you make some analysis of where you are in your financial situation.  We’ll explore this through a stewardship model created by United Methodist Church of the Resurrection and Pastor Adam Hamilton utilizing research and materials they have created as well as the outline and video clips for the sermons I will be sharing in my own words.  You’ve seen the title,

“Enough: Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity.”

 

Accompanying this sermon series will be “small group” sessions that will enhance the material and give each an opportunity to discuss what you are hearing and process that in greater detail.

Two of these groups met last summer and found the material very pertinent and in some cases “life changing”.  You can sign up for a group after worship or call the church office to join a group.

 

At the conclusion of this series, we will turn our hearts toward making our individual annual commitment/pledge toward the mission and ministry of our church and consecrate those gifts on October 31 and November 7.  As you attend worship weekly, receive mailings and communications, hear sermons, participate in the small group, may the words and the Spirit of the following prayer be within you.

 

“Lord, help me to be grateful for what I have, to remember that I don’t need most of what I want, and that joy is found in simplicity and generosity.”

 

                                                                  Pastor Jim