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Stewardship Sunday: Visionary Giving
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by Janet Nielsen
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Our future, our goals, our hopes and dreams, our plans-- when I think about the future of Christ Episcopal Church of Puyallup, I think, "It all depends on what we want, and what we're willing to sacrifice. We need to agree on a vision, and do what it takes to get there. In the context of a church, there must be a shared understanding of the long-term plan, coordinated efforts to further the goal, and the financial commitment of the individuals in the group to underwrite the project."
Yet considering how God operates as revealed in the Bible, a very different picture forms for me. In one of God's amazing capital campaigns, He asked Moses to tell the people to "Set aside a contribution for Yahweh out of your possessions." (Exodus 35:5a My emphasis). The people were to give not out of income, but out of net worth. This was not a tithe-God's "dues". This was beyond the tithe-an offering given freely out of love, a gift. "Let all give willingly and bring this contribution for Yahweh." (Ex 35:5b).
Yahweh provided an extensive list of suggested offerings including not a few quite costly items, sort of like a wedding registry. He told the Israelites these things were needed to build the Tabernacle of Yahweh. Actually the wedding registry analogy is not too far off, since God was about to set up household within the community of Israel.
What happened next? The people began heaping up gold and jewelry, fine fabrics, onyx, gemstones, acacia wood, leather, silver, bronze, oil, incense and more. Workers showed up in overalls with the tools of their trade in hand, ready for work. Needles flew as the sewing circle spun, dyed, wove, pieced and embroidered, creating draperies, linens and vestments for the service in God's Tabernacle. "All those whose hearts prompted them to give came, bringing their contribution... They came, men and women, all giving willingly..." Ex 35:21-22
As a child, I had a quite colorful imagination (I still do, which makes TV tricky). Some mature locals may remember the treasure chest at the entrance to the old Top of the Ocean restaurant on Tacoma's waterfront. Festooned with shiny colored strings of beads, the weather-beaten trunk overflowed with gold bars, oysters with pearls, jewels, colorful trinkets and mysterious boxes, pouches and packages. In Sunday School, when I envisioned the all the sumptuous fabrics, the oils and fragrances, the metal work, the gleaming, shining jewels and gold, and all the other costly gifts brought before God, I imagined that trunk of treasures--only the size of Mount Rainier.
What interests me about this passage today is that I doubt any of those people, including Moses, had any idea what God was up to. They were told about the Tabernacle, the Ark, the Tent of Meeting, to be sure, but could they fathom the meaning, or imagine the finished product? I doubt they had a clue about what they were building or what it would look like when completed, much less its purpose.
Yet their hearts were touched, and they set about emptying their safety deposit boxes. The Israelites willingly brought from their possessions, laid their treasure at the feet of God, and then set to work. By Chapter 36, Moses was forced to ORDER people to stop bringing things. "The material they had was enough and more than enough, to complete all the work." Ex 36:7.
Likewise, in Jerusalem centuries later, Jesus told his disciples to go to the village, find an unbroken colt, untie it and bring it back (Mark 11:1-7). If anyone questioned them, they were to reply, "The Master needs it and will send it back directly." Perhaps the disciples dreaded trying to control the animal. Perhaps they were nervous about being arrested as horse thieves. The disciples did not know why Jesus wanted the colt. Yet they went ahead. The men who witnessed them take the colt did indeed question them. However, as soon as they heard the Master needed it, they readily let it go.
Did any of them understand why? Did they realize that God Himself would ride the borrowed colt into Jerusalem, greeted with cheering crowds? Did they anticipate Jesus' joyful reception? "Hosanna!" the people cried. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!"
Moses and the Israelites began amassing their gifts before they understood why. The disciples and the cooperative people they encountered took action before they understood why. In both cases, the result was God's doing, through human hands. In both cases, the people participated in a far larger plan than they could see or comprehend.
Today, when we consider giving for the future of Christ Church, we want to know the long-range plan. "What's it for?" We want to hear purpose, scope, budget and timeline first, and then we will consider if we mean to support it. (Alternatively, we just begin quibbling about the details until interest and enthusiasm is extinguished, and avoid commitment altogether.) I am not suggesting that we not plan, and plan carefully, our undertakings.
Nevertheless, when it comes to our gifts to God perhaps we should tolerate a little uncertainty. What if He has intentions beyond our wildest dreams, for us, for Christ Episcopal Church of Puyallup, and through us for the world? What if whatever He has in mind for us cannot get started until we invest our faith and bring our offerings? Perhaps we need to assume God has great things in store for us, and willingly give toward we know not what. What if we need to take the first step before the next one is revealed?
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This Sunday
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October 5th
The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 22)
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always
more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either
desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving
us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those
good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the
merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
8am: Holy Eucharist
Our early service is unaccompanied by music and usually lasts about 50 minutes. Coffee and fellowship are offered before the service begins in the parish hall, while the sanctuary is available for quiet prayer. Another coffee hour follows the service.
10am: Sunday School takes place during the first part of our 10am service. The children join the congregation at the peace and share with the whole community in Eucharist.
10am: Holy Eucharist
This Eucharistic service is accompanied by Organ and includes congregational hymns and service music. During the summer months our choir is on sabbatical and various musical offerings will be made during the liturgy. A coffee hour for kids and adults follows the service.
11:30am: Music rehearsals
Following the worship services, our musical groups gather to prepare for the next weeks' offerings.
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Next Week at Christ Church
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October 6th through 11th
Monday
Cornerstone Office Closed
Tuesday
Altar Guild, 7pm, Guild Room
Wednesday
Morning Prayer and Lunch, 12:05pm, Sanctuary
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Announcements
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Upcoming Events
This weekend is the final weekend of our Stewardship Drive. Our theme this weekend is "Visionary Giving". Pledge cards are available in the pews or on the welcome table in the Parish Hall. Even in these uncertain economic times, please consider carefully your annual gift to Christ Episcopal Church of Puyallup. Thank you!
The Altar Guild is meeting this Tuesday, at 7pm, in the Guild Room.
Lunch is again being served at our midweek service. Come each Wednesday at 12:05pm for an hour of worship and fellowship with a homemade lunch.
Vestry meets a week from Tuesday (the 14th) at 7pm, in The Upper Room of The Cornerstone Office Building.
Sign up for the Women's Retreat,
which takes place on October 17th through 19th at St. Andrew's House. A
sheet for sign ups along with more information is on the Welcome table
in the Parish Hall. Please contact Vickey Clayton at 453-7663 with
questions.
General Announcements
October is 'soup' month for the Food Bank Thank you for sharing your blessings with those less fortunate!
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All Hallows Eve
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Celebrate the Eve of All Saints Day at CECoP!
On page 108 of The Book of Occasional Services there is a "Service for All Hallows' Eve". That's right, an official service for Halloween! Last year about 40 people came to celebrate the occasion. This is a real service which lasts about half an hour, but features dramatic retellings of some of the craziest readings in the Bible. Come hear the Valley of Dry Bones come to life! Visit the Witch of Endor with Samuel. See Daniel defeat Bel and the Dragon!
This year we'd especially like to invite families with children to attend. All are welcome, of course, and this service ought to be just as fun for grown-ups, but we've coordinated with the Puyallup Main Street Association to allow children to have an hour or two of trick-or-treating before hand. From 4 to 6pm kids can go from business to business piling up sweets. Then head over to church for All Hallows' Eve at 6pm. After the service, traditional Halloween goodies and hot cider will be served in the Parish Hall. For older kids, Youth Cafe follows the service at 7pm.
Come in costume if you dare, and don't miss the goofiest church service of the year!!!
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Questions? Comments? More Information?
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