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WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
WHY IS MONEY NEEDED?
HOW MUCH DOES THE PARISH NEED TO OPERATE?
2004 BUDGET
WHAT GUIDE CAN I USE TO DETERMINE MY GIVING?
AM I EXPECTED TO INCREASE MY STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT FOR 2004?
AM I BOUND TO MY STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT?
HOW SHALL I PAY MY STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT?
WHO WILL MY STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT INCLUDE?
HOW WILL MY STEWARDSHIP CARD BE COLLECTED?
HOW CAN A NEW MEMBER JOIN OUR CHURCH?
WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP?
We offer ourselves and all creation to the Lord at every Divine Liturgy with the words, "Your own gifts, of Your own, we offer to You." We acknowledge that everything we offer to God is a gift from Him. We take what God has given to us and we return it to Him as an act of our thanksgiving and praise. As stewards of God's gifts, we return to Him a portion of our time, talents and treasures for Christ's work on earth through His Church.
The Christian Stewardship Program is an opportunity to respond to Christ's love by perpetuating His ministry through the Church. Stewardship places the responsibility to support the Church exactly where it belongs, on us.
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WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
King David said, "all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You." (Chronicles 29:14)
A Steward, according to the Bible, is one who manages and uses the gifts entrusted to him by God for his personal welfare and for the perpetuation of the Lord's work.
Our money and possessions are not ours, but on loan. When we give to the Church, we return to God, the Owner, His rightful portion. The more we are given, the more is expected of us.
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WHY IS MONEY NEEDED?
Money is a necessary tool for ministry. To fulfill the Church's mission, we are called upon to commit ourselves to bear our fair share in the financial support of our Church's expenses on a parish, Metropolis and Archdiocesan level.
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HOW MUCH DOES THE PARISH NEED TO OPERATE?
The Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church operating budget for the calendar year 2004 will be $275,700. As a parish we have set a goal of $90,000 for Stewardship giving this year.
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2004 BUDGET: $275,700.S TEWARDSHIP BUDGET : $90,000.
Our ultimate goal is to raise our entire operating budget from Stewardship. We have learned from the past that we cannot depend on special affairs (like our Festivals) to meet our budget. This would enable us to spend our time in doing the work of the Church and using fund-raisers for special projects and planning for future growth.
As you know, our parish has completed some major projects in the past years. These include the installation of our own commercial kitchen, the repaving of our parking lot, and the repair of the belfry. We still need to renovate our social hall. These needed projects depend heavily on the success of our Stewardship Program. The quality of our service as a parish depends upon the level of our giving.
WHAT GUIDE CAN I USE TO DETERMINE MY GIVING?
Proportionate giving involves two things. Firstly, that our level of giving rises out of our level of income. Secondly, that giving out of thanks will involve sharing a portion of that income for God's work.
We should ask ourselves "what is a worthy level to determine my Stewardship?" The Bible gives much guidance by teaching us that direct giving to God and His work should be proportionate to our income, wealth and possessions. Each person is to give according to his or her own ability.
The Old Testament laid down the standard of the tithe or 10% of one's income. This provides us with the principle that giving should be a proportion of our income. Each Steward should determine what percentage of his or her income will be committed to Christ and the Church for 2004.
We should consider what we spend on cable television, holidays, pets, dining out, sports events, vacations and so on. How do these compare with our giving for God's work?
We should ask ourselves if our Stewardship Commitment is serious and responsible before God. Is our gift a genuine response to the Lord: "Your own gifts, from Your own gifts, we offer to you?"
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AM I EXPECTED TO INCREASE MY STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT FOR 2004?
Yes! In making a decision, one should keep in mind that the expenses of our parish and the Church increase every year. In order to meet our 2004 expenses, each Steward should increase his or her commitment.
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AM I BOUND TO MY STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT?
Your Stewardship Commitment is kept in confidence. Jesus taught us that giving should be done quietly, generously and out of sight of others. If you wish to revise your commitment during the year for any reason, you may send a note to the Church Office indicating your intention.
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HOW SHALL I PAY MY STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT?
You may pay your commitment in the manner that suits you best. Since small regular contributions are easier to manage, it is suggested that your contribution be made on a weekly or monthly basis. You may however also contribute, quarterly, semiannually or annually.
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WHO WILL MY STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT INCLUDE?
The Stewardship Commitment includes husband and wife for married couples and single adults as Stewards. Our Sunday School students make their own Stewardship Offering each Sunday. Family members over 18 years of age, who are employed, should make their own Stewardship Commitment.
Participation in the Christian Stewardship Program allows each Greek Orthodox Steward to vote and to seek elective office in the administration of the parish as provided in the Archdiocesan and Parish By-laws.
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HOW WILL MY STEWARDSHIP CARD BE COLLECTED?
The Stewardship Commitment Cards can be submitted on any Sunday at church or they can be mailed to the Church Office. Please return your Stewardship Commitment Card by Sunday, February 1, 2004 if possible so that we as a parish can properly plan ahead for the 2004 year.
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HOW CAN A NEW MEMBER JOIN OUR CHURCH?
Orthodox Christians, who wish to be served by our parish, may become Stewards of Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church by making a Stewardship Commitment for the current year.
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