Building the Kingdom | Stewardship 2021

STEP 1: 2021 Pledge Form *2021 BrochureGift of Stock Instructions

*The 2021 pledge form process happens in two steps.

A PRAYER FOR GENEROSITY

Dear Gracious and Generous God, from whom all things were made and are given, help us be mindful that we are stewards, not owners, of the gifts you so lovingly have bestowed upon us. Let us joyfully give to God what belongs to God, in order that we may build His Kingdom. Grow the hearts of this parish closer to you and to each other as we spread the message of your good news to our parish and beyond. We ask this in the name of our risen Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN.

FROM THE RECTOR

One of my favorite scripture passages comes from Philippians: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (4:13).” This verse seems particularly relevant for all of us as we consider the work we have done this year and will do together in 2021.

I’m sure it comes as no surprise that many people are ready to say goodbye to 2020. In so many ways, this year has created a global shift in lifestyle, habits, and awareness. We had to change fundamental patterns of living and in doing so, became more vulnerable to one another. In every way, we were challenged to remain faithful to our commitments to worship, to forgive and seek forgiveness, to proclaim the gospel, to seek and serve Christ in our neighbors, and to respect the dignity of every person.

If I were to ask you if you’d like to relive 2020, my guess is that you would politely (or perhaps not politely) decline. This has been a hard year, one that we might wish had never happened, but I see some very real hope in the future. I see 2020 as a year when we, as a human family, were put to the test. Our carefully constructed walls have been cracked and our truer selves have been revealed. Let’s not see this as a bad thing, but rather, an opportunity to become stronger and more vibrant, and together, build God’s kingdom in ways we may never have imagined.

Many of you know that I think the Church writ large is in need of renewal. The ways we have functioned in the past will simply not serve the Gospel of Christ in the future. As I look ahead to 2021, now is the time to make a true commitment to building God’s kingdom in new ways. Together, we can give in ways that will continue to transform our community. If 2020 taught us anything, we have learned that the past is in the past, that there is no returning to whatever normal we thought we liked. Instead, we are shifting into a new reality, one that will have new rules and new challenges, but a reality in which we can thrive if we work together.

Relying on how things have always been done will not work, and as your rector, I want you to know that I think this is wonderful news. God is good all the time, and as we step into a new year, we can show our faithfulness to God, just as He has shown His faithfulness to us. The story of Christ is the most compelling story in human history, and by investing in our church, we will continue to spread that Good News in our world.

Hope is the greatest message of our Gospel. We see, time and time again, that hope, grounded in God’s pure love, triumphs over despair. At the very end of his life, Jesus struggled with the difficult path that lay ahead of him. Through tears of pain and desperation, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want (Mt 26:39).” Jesus knew that a painful road lay ahead, but he had faith that in all things, God works for the good.

“Saint Michael is ready for a renewal, ready to become more and more the church God has called us to be, but we need you. We are like the proverbial chain, and we need each link in our chain to be committed to our future." -The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata

We each face our own pain and our own fears, but together, and with God’s help, we trust that God is working all things for the good. Saint Michael is ready for a renewal, ready to become more and more the church God has called us to be, but we need you. We are like the proverbial chain, and we need each link in our chain to be committed to our future.

As you read through this webpage, consider your personal commitment. This Christian journey, the Way of Love, is free, but it’s not cheap. You have been loved, and God’s grace has been poured out upon you. How will you show your gratitude? How will you, having received this amazing gift of life, use your life to make a significant impact on the world in the ways God hopes for you?

This year, listen to God’s voice, repeating over and over again, “Do not be afraid.” Let faithfulness and hope be your guide. When we commit to God and one another with courage and conviction, we will be transformed by the peace that passes all understanding. This is the peace that we need, that our world needs, and this is the witness we share together at Saint Michael.

The Reverend Dr. Christopher D. Girata
Rector

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE