Do Not Grow Weary; Be Generous
"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary."  Gal. 6:9

While at worship service this weekend, take a moment to reflect upon your stewardship to the St. James community. Recognizing that stewardship entails much more than an annual pledge card, when did you last consider the level of your generosity tied to your total stewardship commitment ? How does it compare when you glance to a cross depicting Jesus’ death and see before you God's generosity for you ? Something to think about… 

Gifts of all sizes
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”    Mark 4:30 – 32

Have you noticed that even small gifts of your talent and resources go such a long way ? This is true in both your daily life and your church life (understandably the two quite often intersect). Time to help set up or organize an event or donations, loose change offering on Sunday, assisting with EYC or Sunday morning Christian education, selling Lobster Boil tickets, matching or raising your annual pledge despite financial hardships all around or greeting parishioners and newcomers at services are all examples of fine stewardship. Continue to plant your mustard seeds and observe the many birds perching...  

Stewardship is not only essential for the health and vitality of the church but a key component of our individual identity and spirituality. Be honest -- When you hear the word “stewardship,” is your immediate reaction positive or negative? Over the years has the negative factor grown? Does the word automatically bring to mind financial matters? Does it arouse a sense of obligation ? Do the thoughts of obligation generate feelings of guilt from past well-intentioned pledge campaigns ?

Most of us have, for more years than we care to admit, heard stewardship clichés spoken in church and probably wanted to answer "yes" to many, if not all of the above questions. Just remember that our stewardship attitudes reflect our relationship with God. How healthy and vital is your relationship ?  

Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the Lord your God.  Leviticus 19:3

What better stewardship role might we exhibit than to love and respect our parents? This Sunday be sure to thank and wish well all mothers that you encounter.