Sunday, October 26, 2014

LIVING GENEROUSLY

"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?” (Luke 9:23-25)

What did Jesus mean when He said, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it?” How often do we stop to consider the commitment Christ expects? He’s not talking about writing a check or checking a box, but a life that is completely focused on giving to others what He has so graciously given to us.

Beginning October 26 and continuing through November 16th, we hope to address some of these questions and ideas as we begin a stewardship journey titled Living Generously. This will be different than others we have done in the past, in that it will include a series of short films that tell the story of one imaginary family (the Donovans) as they seek to understand what it means to live the words of Jesus. Each week we’ll see a glimpse of their journey as they take risks, experience suffering and joy, and find themselves transformed by the call of Christ. You won’t want to miss a single Sunday!

We all know that life is busy, making it easy for our hearts to be distracted by the demands we face. And while each of us has many blessings, often our attitudes are less than grateful. So, it is our sincere hope that this series prompts us to take an inventory of the blessings God has entrusted to each of us.  As we do, we pray that we’ll all be inspired with a new awareness of God’s goodness.

On November 16th, we’ll all have the opportunity to share how we have been impacted. In the meantime, though, we ask you to join us in praying that God will prepare our hearts to hear His message of transforming generosity, to commit to being present in worship each week to do so!  Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!




No comments:

Post a Comment