Sharing God’s Blessing – A Stewardship of Life Campaign

 

During this Fall, 2007 year, your Finance and Stewardship Committee is calling on us to explore the meaning of that famous “Prayer of Jabez:” Jabez was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me [or let me be a part of what you are blessing ] and extend my lands! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!" And God granted him his request. I Chronicles 4:10 (NLT)

Julia Wallace is the director of small-membership church ministries for the General Board of Discipleship. In her article, “Count Your Blessings” Julia Wallace tells us how we can be a part of God’s Thanksgiving blessings:  “Take a moment and count your blessings. The changing leaves show us the splendor of God's creation; the season of Thanksgiving reminds us of family, and the harvest reminds us that God provides for our needs...

Fill in the blanks in the acrostic below with words that express your feelings about God, this past year, and the opportunity to serve God.  Reflect on each line silently. What do the words and letters bring to you mind? Once you complete the activity, find a way to share it with others.”

Thank you God, for  _____________________________________________.

It's amazing How you provide  _____________________________________.

And each day, I see  ____________________________________________.

IN this moment, I am reminded that _________________________________.

The Knowledge that you love me helps me ___________________________.

I am Surrounded by people who ____________________________________.

Oh God, ______________________________________________________.

In your grace, I can  ______________________________________________.

EVerything I do _________________________________________________.

I pray for ______________________________________________________.

I Need your guidance to __________________________________________.

Give me this day an opportunity to ___________________________________.

 

Finally, this year’s Sharing God’s Blessings Stewardship of Life Campaign will challenge us through weekly laity moment messages to count our blessings and make an Estimate of Giving pledge by Sunday, November 17 in order  to help underwrite the 2008 operating budget of your church. I hope that you will prayerfully join my family and me as we share part of our blessings for the upcoming ministry of next year.

 

Blessed to Be Your Florida Pastor,

 

Fred Ball