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An Offering Response
| As they offered gifts most rare at that manger rude and bare, so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin's alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ to Thee, our Heavenly King.
(from "As With Gladness Men of Old")
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This e-resource is a ministry of the Office of the General Secretary ABCUSA |
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Greetings!
Welcome to the Advent issue of Genero$ity, an American Baptist e-resource for church leaders who are committed to "nurturing generous disciples to serve as the hands and feet of Christ."
We are in the midst of Advent, a season of expectation and anticipation of the birth of the Christ Child. Although we can often point to both signs and symbols of God's grace and generosity in our lives, it is during Advent that we experience the incredible depth of God's love as we prepare to receive - again - God's greatest gift, the infant Jesus.
At the same time that we consider God's generous gift, we are often distracted by our culture's understanding of what it means to give. Later, during the early part of January, perhaps you will join me in reflecting on the past year in anticipation of the one that is just beginning. Here are a few questions that might assist you in that process, particularly as you consider your experience of the Christmas season. Thanks to Sam Brink, minister of church resources and mission support with the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin, for providing these questions:
- Was my Christmas experience one of good news for me and for those around me?
- Do I feel comfortable today with the amount of money that I/we spent over the Christmas holidays?
- What of myself did I give away this Christmas?
- Did I/we have a Christmas spending plan and did I/we stick to it?
- Did it really feel more blessed to give than to receive?
- What do I/we need to do this year to make sure [next] Christmas will be different?
- How did my/our church help me/us to celebrate Christmas in a financial healthy way?
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son..." (John 3:16a) It is in Jesus that we experience God's ultimate gift of generosity. May you know the reality of God's love for you during this season of Advent and Christmas.
Soozi Whitten Ford, Stewardship FacilitatorMission Resource Development
American Baptist Churches USA
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Ideas You Can Use
| |  First, consider using the third verse from the Christmas carol, "As With Gladness Men of Old" as an offering response during the Advent and/or Epiphany seasons.
Secondly, there are three new additions to the "Footprints of Generosity" series of inserts available for your use in bulletins or newsletters. Click on the links below to see the inserts. You are welcome to download and print enough copies for your use.
Bringing in the New Year
Generous Giving in Difficult Times
When They Saw the Star
Finally, "Follow The Star" is an online Advent devotional based this year on Psalm 46, "Be still and know that I am God." While it is written and designed primarily for youth and young adults, all ages can benefit from its focus on preparing for the birth of Jesus during this season of Advent. To access this resource, click here.
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| Dismembered Mission or United Mission? | | "...The word of God can cut through our pretensions and feelings of self-importance. In worship we come to the Holy One and see ourselves as we really are. In so doing we are open to becoming more faithful stewards of the gospel-ready and willing to carry out God's mission. As part of the between-the-times generation, American Baptists are called to help carry out God's mission. As a matter of fact, God's mission is why the church exists..." Click here to read Ron Vallet's connections between the familiar New Testament passages on spiritual gifts and Isaiah's words of promise in chapter 11.
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Book Review
| |  How To Write Successful Fundraising Letters (by Mal Warwick) reviewed by Alan Newton
You might find it difficult to fathom how anyone could write 300 pages on the subject of writing fundraising letters. Mel Warwick has not only written such a book but has done so in a way which is both entertaining and insightful. From the first paragraph the reader will recognize that this man is fully versed in the art of fundraising and is generous in sharing his wisdom and experiences. (Read more...)
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Please feel free to:
- share your ideas, questions, and resources for future issues. To do so, simply hit "reply" to this message, or send a separate e-mail by clicking here;
- forward this on to your friends and colleagues; and
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Sincerely,
Soozi Whitten Ford, Stewardship Facilitator
Mission Resource Development
American Baptist Churches USA
© 2010 Mission Resource Development, American Baptist Churches USA
This resource is provided to you as a ministry of the Office of the General Secretary ABCUSA
because American Baptists are united in mission through United Mission.
Thank you for your gifts to United Mission!
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