Faith Stories: Putting God First in Giving & Living
Stewardship: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care
St. John’s community, God has given us the responsibility of sharing our gifts through worship, witness and service so that others will know God and become disciples of Jesus Christ.
News Flash! We are doing that, through all the wonderful ministries we have here at St. John’s UMC – Opening Doors, The Shepherd’s Market, Tutoring, the United Methodist Women, the Youth Ministry, the Children’s Ministry, Sunday School, Bible Study, Worship Service…and that’s just a few. I’ve seen firsthand how important all these ministries are to St. John’s and the community.
During the first week of school, a little girl came up to me and said, “Do you remember me?” I smiled at her and said, “Of course I do!” I hoped and prayed that she wouldn’t ask me her name. I didn’t know it and still don’t. Then she hugged me and said, “Thank you for giving me food!” I thought she was talking about school breakfast. (I have cafeteria duty at Wildwood.) Of course I said, “You are so very welcome but you don’t need to thank me for that.” “Oh yes I do!” she beamed. “My family really needed that food and you helped us put food in our baskets for free!” The light bulb comes on! “Yes!” I said. “You came to the Shepherd’s Market at my church this summer!”
St. John’s, my prayer is that we continue to give financially, share our gifts, share our talents, give our time, and share God’s love with others.
How do you put God first in giving and living? By being good stewards of our finances, gifts, talents, time and hearts.
Darlene Dickson