STEWARDSHIP MINUTES
November 19, 2023
A Stewardship Minute from Hartley Hobson Wensing:
I begin most every day with at least a quick thought on this line of scripture from Matthew:
"Freely you have received, freely give. "
This time of year is a chance to pause and consider how much God gives us daily
Health, love of friends and family, meaningful work, brightly colored leaves, furry friends, seeing growth in each other and in the youth we love; I know we could all add to this list. And, of course, this church community is an avenue where God gives us so much.
This church is ours, ours as children of God, as beloved of God. As Randy says, the church is an imperfect, human instrument, but so critical.
It is where we are reminded again and again of the most important of all the gifts we are thankful for and the gift foundational to all of them – God’s love and Grace, freely given to each of us. We did nothing to earn it and we cannot lose it, though we can lose touch with it. How incredible to be part of a community with that core message!
I recently heard someone describe prayer as a "trust fall" into God’s hands.
The church, our church, is, I believe, the most important way we can allow God to hold us, to tend to our souls, as we walk through the gifts and the many, many challenges. I believe the church with its calendar of observations, traditions, sacraments, opportunities to give and receive, with our incredible ordained leaders and lay leaders too, the church through all of us, helps us to build the kingdom of God in a way that no other institution does.
That’s why I’m here and why Kevin, Grace and I support the church every month with an automated gift, and with our time. Freely we have received, freely let us give.
I begin most every day with at least a quick thought on this line of scripture from Matthew:
"Freely you have received, freely give. "
This time of year is a chance to pause and consider how much God gives us daily
Health, love of friends and family, meaningful work, brightly colored leaves, furry friends, seeing growth in each other and in the youth we love; I know we could all add to this list. And, of course, this church community is an avenue where God gives us so much.
This church is ours, ours as children of God, as beloved of God. As Randy says, the church is an imperfect, human instrument, but so critical.
It is where we are reminded again and again of the most important of all the gifts we are thankful for and the gift foundational to all of them – God’s love and Grace, freely given to each of us. We did nothing to earn it and we cannot lose it, though we can lose touch with it. How incredible to be part of a community with that core message!
I recently heard someone describe prayer as a "trust fall" into God’s hands.
The church, our church, is, I believe, the most important way we can allow God to hold us, to tend to our souls, as we walk through the gifts and the many, many challenges. I believe the church with its calendar of observations, traditions, sacraments, opportunities to give and receive, with our incredible ordained leaders and lay leaders too, the church through all of us, helps us to build the kingdom of God in a way that no other institution does.
That’s why I’m here and why Kevin, Grace and I support the church every month with an automated gift, and with our time. Freely we have received, freely let us give.
November 12, 2023
A Stewardship Minute from Darrell Wilson:
It is great to be here with you today to talk about the true blessings and gifts that God has given to each and everyone of us. I want to thank Shawn Whitman for his witness last week on our kickoff Sunday. I so loved his thoughtful letter he shared with us about the importance of giving back in his life. Like most Christians I have an early childhood memory of tithing. My Mom, Dad and Grandparents always handed me a dollar or some coins to put in the plate when it was passed around on Sunday at Brookside Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma where I grew up. I never really second guessed giving to God because it was something that you just did.
When Leah and I joined Immanuel some twenty years ago, pledging never really was part of our early life here. I didn’t think about it, kind of ignored it actually. Ten years later and with two kids now, Leah and I gave and participated in the church and we always made sure the kids had something to put in the plate just like my family had done with me as a child in church, But even though I was giving and we were doing all of these token things, I wasn’t fully committing myself to the journey with Christ in this amazing place. For whatever reason, we still didn’t pledge - maybe out of lethargy, laziness, or still maybe even a selfish concern over money—something so self-contrived on my part - when I look back on it. Then one Sunday about seven years ago, Randy came up to me after church and asked if Leah and I would think about pledging. We were known to the Treasurer for sure but still not pledging. Really without a thought I just looked at him on that Sunday and said sure I will pledge.
Leah and I have pledged every year since then. It was that simple.
Our theme this year is “God's gifts enable us to give.” In Ephesians Chapter 4 Paul tells us that there is “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is overall and through all and in all. [And here is the kicker:] But to each one of us GRACE has been given as Christ apportioned it.”
YES- That Amazing Grace- that saved a wretch like me and you and every one of us. That eternal gift that changed all of mankind forever. That Grace that defines for all of us how to live and to love each other and why we come to this place every Sunday to give back from that Gift of Grace. A Gift that Enables us to Give and give cheerfully and freely. When I look out on each of you, I can tell you Leah, Ben, Rachel and I have witnessed that Grace firsthand in all you have done to forever change our lives through your love and fellowship. It is this simple gift just being here with you – that makes it so easy for the Wilsons to give back. And so I hope that you too will consider all of God’s gifts when you think about your pledge this year. Amen
It is great to be here with you today to talk about the true blessings and gifts that God has given to each and everyone of us. I want to thank Shawn Whitman for his witness last week on our kickoff Sunday. I so loved his thoughtful letter he shared with us about the importance of giving back in his life. Like most Christians I have an early childhood memory of tithing. My Mom, Dad and Grandparents always handed me a dollar or some coins to put in the plate when it was passed around on Sunday at Brookside Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma where I grew up. I never really second guessed giving to God because it was something that you just did.
When Leah and I joined Immanuel some twenty years ago, pledging never really was part of our early life here. I didn’t think about it, kind of ignored it actually. Ten years later and with two kids now, Leah and I gave and participated in the church and we always made sure the kids had something to put in the plate just like my family had done with me as a child in church, But even though I was giving and we were doing all of these token things, I wasn’t fully committing myself to the journey with Christ in this amazing place. For whatever reason, we still didn’t pledge - maybe out of lethargy, laziness, or still maybe even a selfish concern over money—something so self-contrived on my part - when I look back on it. Then one Sunday about seven years ago, Randy came up to me after church and asked if Leah and I would think about pledging. We were known to the Treasurer for sure but still not pledging. Really without a thought I just looked at him on that Sunday and said sure I will pledge.
Leah and I have pledged every year since then. It was that simple.
Our theme this year is “God's gifts enable us to give.” In Ephesians Chapter 4 Paul tells us that there is “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is overall and through all and in all. [And here is the kicker:] But to each one of us GRACE has been given as Christ apportioned it.”
YES- That Amazing Grace- that saved a wretch like me and you and every one of us. That eternal gift that changed all of mankind forever. That Grace that defines for all of us how to live and to love each other and why we come to this place every Sunday to give back from that Gift of Grace. A Gift that Enables us to Give and give cheerfully and freely. When I look out on each of you, I can tell you Leah, Ben, Rachel and I have witnessed that Grace firsthand in all you have done to forever change our lives through your love and fellowship. It is this simple gift just being here with you – that makes it so easy for the Wilsons to give back. And so I hope that you too will consider all of God’s gifts when you think about your pledge this year. Amen
November 5, 2023
A Stewardship Minute from Shawn Whitman:
I am excited to kick off the Every Member Pledge which starts today and runs through November 19th
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” These are not my words, but the words St. Paul, from 2 Corinthians 9:7.8
I share this verse as an insight of what Immanuel means to me, my wife Kristin and our daughter’s Lauren and Katherine. It’s also why we have made the choice and the commitment to pledge to Immanuel. Pledges are a demonstration of support for the church and the mission at Immanuel. Most importantly, it is an intentional expression of love and thankfulness to God.
It’s not the size of the gift, but it is the spirit of giving back that should motivate each of us. During this time of Thanksgiving, each of us should evaluate all we have to be thankful for. I personally feel blessed beyond measure, and mostly feel blessed by God’s grace.
My parents instilled in me long ago that giving back to the church is part of our commitment to God. It is an important way to give thanks. These gifts and offerings are part of being a Christian. Making financial commitments also provide dividends of joy. I promise you that whatever you can pledge, God will give back more in peace and joy. Psalm 112:5 says, “Good will comes to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”
In closing, I want to mention this year’s Every Member Pledge theme: God’s Gifts Enable Us to Give!
Our anchor or mooring should be to recognize that God’s gift of Jesus was not to settle a bill or payment. It was not a debt He owed to us. It is a divine gift that exceeds any human comprehension. It is a gift to wash away our sins so that we may have eternal life. I want to repeat a versus that everyone in this chamber knows. It is so familiar that it’s easy to make it feel common, to become casual about the words and lose our reflection of its meaning. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Brothers and sisters of Immanuel, in a world that often feels like it is filled with stress and chaos, let us be here together in this moment and recognize what the gift of Jesus means to us and what it means to give back. Amen.
I am excited to kick off the Every Member Pledge which starts today and runs through November 19th
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” These are not my words, but the words St. Paul, from 2 Corinthians 9:7.8
I share this verse as an insight of what Immanuel means to me, my wife Kristin and our daughter’s Lauren and Katherine. It’s also why we have made the choice and the commitment to pledge to Immanuel. Pledges are a demonstration of support for the church and the mission at Immanuel. Most importantly, it is an intentional expression of love and thankfulness to God.
It’s not the size of the gift, but it is the spirit of giving back that should motivate each of us. During this time of Thanksgiving, each of us should evaluate all we have to be thankful for. I personally feel blessed beyond measure, and mostly feel blessed by God’s grace.
My parents instilled in me long ago that giving back to the church is part of our commitment to God. It is an important way to give thanks. These gifts and offerings are part of being a Christian. Making financial commitments also provide dividends of joy. I promise you that whatever you can pledge, God will give back more in peace and joy. Psalm 112:5 says, “Good will comes to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”
In closing, I want to mention this year’s Every Member Pledge theme: God’s Gifts Enable Us to Give!
Our anchor or mooring should be to recognize that God’s gift of Jesus was not to settle a bill or payment. It was not a debt He owed to us. It is a divine gift that exceeds any human comprehension. It is a gift to wash away our sins so that we may have eternal life. I want to repeat a versus that everyone in this chamber knows. It is so familiar that it’s easy to make it feel common, to become casual about the words and lose our reflection of its meaning. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Brothers and sisters of Immanuel, in a world that often feels like it is filled with stress and chaos, let us be here together in this moment and recognize what the gift of Jesus means to us and what it means to give back. Amen.