Thank you for the privilege of speaking with you today on stewardship. For those of you who may not know me, I am Marlene Johnson, a past Senior Warden , a member of the church's Audit Committee, and at the 10:30 service you will see me serving as Eucharistic minister, a lay reader and also a member singing in the choir.
When I first moved to Tuckerton in the very early 60's, being what they refer to as a "cradle Episcopalian" (baptized and confirmed in the faith), I looked in the telephone book for an Episcopal church in our area. Much to my dismay, the only one listed on the mainland at that time was in Waretown (I found out later that Holy Spirit could not afford the yellow book advertisement). Now I know that it's not really that far away, but with the time it took in the morning to get the four little ones ready, it seemed a forever trip. So, we attended only sporadically. One day the vicar of St. Stephen's, Father Paul, said to me, "You know, there is - and has been - a church in Parkertown, the Church of the Holy Spirit."
Now at this point in time, I was living in Parkertown, and never saw a church there. So, with address in hand, searching a side street, I found it: a house with a cross on the outside wall, with the worship area in what had been the living room. This area could seat about 36 people, and on Holidays, we had standing room only in the hallway. It was not a place that could be easily found, nor looked inviting from the outside. It took a few weeks of soul searching to make the decision where we should worship, and here I am, 40 plus years later.
We were so excited in 1979 when we made the move to Green Street here in Tuckerton. Once again, the windowless building was not what people expected to find as a church. Some people never even realized that the Episcopal church was next to the firehouse. But, you know, we were ever so grateful and happy to be there!
God had another, far bigger plan for all of us, one that would have been just a dream 10 years ago. In 2006 we made the big move from Green Street to where you're now sitting. Looking around, can you imagine how small we were in Parkertown? Six short pews, holding 3 persons each, and two longer ones.We are so blessed to be in a facility that is easily recognizable, housing not only our worship services and social events, but large enough to serve the greater Tuckerton community.
How did all of this happen over the years? Nobody waved a magic wand. It happened because of all of you, through your stewardship- the three T's: your time, your talents and your treasure. Christian stewardship involves all of us and all that we have. How we live our lives affects our relationship with God. Thinking of stewardship in terms of time, talents and treasures helps us to focus and to apply the concept of stewardship to our lives.
How we use our time for God's service, for work, for the care of others, for the care of ourselves, being part of vestry or any of the various committees of our church, is all a matter of stewardship.
How we use our talents for God's service, whether driving, cooking the community dinners, teaching someone how to crochet, building a home, or just making a call to check in with someone, is all a matter of stewardship.
And finally, there is treasure. We are invited to come into a relationship with God, the Owner and generous Giver of all that we have through our financial giving. Being intentional in our giving, and recognizing that we are giving back to God, consciously making choices on how we "spend" what has been given to us: they're all matters of stewardship. How we use our treasure to support and enhance the church is a matter of stewardship.
You might remember that in Luke 19, Jesus told of a wealthy man who was going away on a trip. He told his stewards, or servants, "Look, I'm going away. You take over. You take my place; do what you think I would do. " He didn't tell them what to do or how to do it. He just told them to do it.
I love my church, and I know all of you feel the same way too.
Let us pray that we will do what He would do.
Thank you. God bless.
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