Weeks to Emphasize Stewardship – Encouraging Word – July 2015

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Weeks to Emphasize Stewardship

While our “Stewardship by the Lectionary” resource offers stewardship-themed devotions for all weekly lectionary readings, some weeks are particularly strong for a stewardship-themed Sunday. Following are some ideas for a stewardship Sunday or emphasis in the latter half of 2015. Refer to future editions of “Stewardship by the Lectionary” for further development of these themes.

Pentecost 15 (September 6) – Manage Well the Gift of God’s Word! (Deuteronomy 4:1, 2, 6-8; Ephesians 6:10-20; Mark 77:1-8, 14, 15, 21-23)

Pentecost 17 (September 20) – Whole-life Stewardship Flows from Faith in Jesus (James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18; Mark 8:27-35)

Pentecost 21 (October 18) – The Danger of Living “the Good Life” (Amos 5:6, 7, 10-15; Mark 10:17-27)

Christ the King (November 22) – “One in Christ” debt elimination offering

“One in Christ” Offering – Encouraging Word – July 2015

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“One in Christ” Offering

Delegates of the 2013 synod convention resolved to launch a campaign at this year’s convention in late July to collect a special offering through June, 2016, to eliminate the remaining $4.7 million in synod debt. The debt resulted years ago from ministerial education school amalgamations and capital projects as well as internal borrowing. If successful, the “One in Christ” campaign will put our synod in a better financial position to continue the ministry of training and sending gospel proclaimers to the world.

Delegates will receive an overview of how congregations and schools can participate using materials posted online and shipped to congregations in mid-August. The offering can be held any time before June, 2016, but fits well in November, particularly on Christ the King Sunday, November 22nd.

Helpful Hint – Encouraging Word – July 2015

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Develop a Ministry Plan, Then the Budget

Develop a ministry plan and then determine what forms and levels of support are needed to fund it. Many look at what they think support will be and then craft a ministry plan around that level of support, thus never giving the congregation the opportunity to pray for and respond to the plan with their offerings.

Todd Poppe, WELS Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

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Words of Wisdom – Encouraging Word – July 2015

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Joy Is a Fruit of Faith

“Joy may be thought of as an emotion, but for the Christian it is something more concrete. Christians will not be plunged into despair by the adversities of life when they cling to the joy they have in Christ. Paul rejoiced in what the Lord had done for his salvation while he was sitting in a jail cell at Rome (see his letter to the Philippians). Joy is what Peter offered the persecuted Christians of Asia Minor when, in his first epistle, he spoke to them of the inheritance we have guaranteed for us through Christ (1:6). Joy is what Christians have as they stand with tears in their eyes by the grave of a Christian loved one. They have their Savior’s promise of the resurrection of the body and eternal life with him in heaven. The Christian’s joy is not like the morning fog, soon dispersed by the heat of the sun. Our joy is lasting, enduring, undimmed by the trials of this life.”

Lange, Lyle W. Sanctification: Alive in Christ. Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1999. Pages 133-134.