GRATITUDE CAMPAIGN. What does that mean? The stewardship committee decided to shift the perspective of the annual stewardship campaign to better reflect what the campaign is truly about - gratitude. While we remain faithful stewards of God's gifts to us, in gratitude, we fully acknowledge that everything we are and everything we have is a gift from the hands of a kind and generous God. Therefore, in gratitude, we give back to God what is God's, to do God's work on earth.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.” - Ephesians 2:10

We serve a miraculous God! God already knows what we are each created to do, even if we don’t yet know. The recent celebration of life for our beloved member, Belle Ito, was a beautiful example of what one faithful and devoted servant of Christ could accomplish. Belle’s was a quiet and consistent path, yet she touched so many people as she, in the words of Rev. Debra Brady, “continued to transform her heart all her life”. Belle shared her love through encouragement, patience and prayers. As expressed by Rev. Motoe, Belle’s prayers continue to live in all of us. What a blessing! Belle shared her many gifts with her church family by teaching, volunteering, pledging and recruiting volunteers for service. She said “yes” to God! (and no one could say no to Belle!) There are many lessons to learn from Belle’s life. Most importantly, she reminds us to give gratefully and freely of the gifts God has bestowed upon us no matter how small they may seem. Many of us have been the recipient of a wonderful card or call from Belle over the years. Did it not inspire you to express appreciation or encourage someone in return? That was the Belle “bump”! Belle knew that gratitude leads to generosity. A grateful heart is a generous heart. We praise God for the life of dear Belle!

Inspire us, Dear Lord, with the examples of your son, Jesus Christ, and the saints who came before us to freely give of the gifts bestowed upon us with a thankful heart and generous spirit. AMEN.

Please fill out this online Gratitude card and return to the office by October 22, 2021 for its blessing during the Sunday, October 24, 2021 worship service. Thank you for your 2022 pledge!

Blessings from the Stewardship Committee