Stewardship is the grateful response of a Christian disciple who recognizes and receives God’s gifts and shares these gifts in love of God and neighbor.
The mission of Holy Apostles Parish is “Encountering Christ and Making Disciples.” When we truly encounter the Person of Jesus Christ, our lives are forever changed. One of the ways we live out our calling as disciples is through Stewardship. Stewardship is about recognizing our blessings—our faith, our family and friends, our talents, the hours in the day, our finances—and managing them well through a life lived in gratitude to the One who gives us these blessings.
Stewardship of Time
How can we make time for God, who gives us the gift of time? Unless we are intentional, prayer doesn’t just happen. With work, home, and family commitments, it can be difficult to find quiet time to spend with God. Consider taking this opportunity to evaluate your life and see if you are spending time on things that may be less important than prayer. During this Stewardship Renewal, join with other parishioners who are learning to rearrange their schedules to make “first things first.”
Stewardship of Talent
No two people have the same gifts. God gives each of us the opportunity use our unique talents for His glory. Someday, He will ask us how we used those gifts to serve Him and others. When we serve, we often find that we receive so much more than we give. Here at Holy Apostles, there are a multitude of ways for you to get involved. Ask the Lord where He might be asking you to use your gifts and talents for His Church!
Stewardship of Treasure
Have you ever created a personal budget? At the top of most people’s list of expenses are big items like the mortgage, car payments, and food. We also have other expenses such as entertainment, dining, and clothing. But how about the Church? Does Holy Apostles have a place in your family’s budget? Throughout Scripture, we are taught to give to God our “first fruits.” In modern speech, we might say that the first “line item” in the family budget should be returning a portion of our income to God. Both symbolically and in actuality, this is a powerful expression of God’s place in your life. “Where your treasure is, there also lies your heart” (Matthew 6:21).