It is clear that at the end of the day, what God wants from us is not our stuff, but our “whole heart”. Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. It seems so simple, but be we know the opposite to be true. It is easier to just swipe our debit card and contribute to a cause. In the church, it often feels safer to ask for money than to ask for the changing of a life’s priorities. It is not that offerings are inappropriate, but they should flow from the heart of relationship and they manifest themselves in more that temporal gifts.
Stewardship is about more than money. It is a whole life response to the abundant generosity of God. A generosity that is gauged by more than what we hold in our bank accounts. Stewardship is about the care and management of creation, the observation of Sabbath and the care for the precious gift that is our own life. It is about sharing the good news of the gospel by inviting others to join us at an always expanding table of grace. Faithful stewardship is about the intentional and impactful deployment of our spiritual gifts. And yes, it is about our stuff. But more than that, it is a way of giving that flows from the heart in concrete ways in response to what God has already done and is doing.
Church of the Foothills is poised in a new season of life. We have a new Senior Minister. We have a new Director of Music Ministries. We are launching and rethinking many ministries. We are nurturing our young children everyday. We are lifting our voices for low income workers and for the LGBTQ+ community. There is much to be excited about as we carry forward our history as a witness to love and justice in our community. What shall we bring in response to what God is doing? What shall we bring to the work we are called to do in the coming year?
Gather with us in worship throughout November to consider ways you can be a part of what God is up to at Church of the Foothills.
We have a special Celebration time on November 19, 2023 to party after worship for the ways God has blessed us.