201 West Louther Street   Carlisle, PA 17013   PH: (717) 243-2319   FAX:(717) 243-7958

 So, what's all this buzz about Stewardship at St. Paul's?  Well, in Summer 2006, a newly appointed Stewardship Committee formed to study and revive the efforts of this crucial ministry.  The Holy Spirit has led many members of the congregation to search out the biblical definition and application of stewardship within our daily lives; recognizing that this is one of the most practical and intimate ways in which we as Christians model the love and life of our Lord Jesus.  As a member of St. Paul's, and more importantly, a disciple of Jesus Christ, you are called to embrace stewardship with fullness of heart and attitude.  This web page is your resource to learning more about the many ways your Stewardship Committee can help!  We encourage you to prayer and action, realizing your potential and letting your light so shine to be Christ unto the world!

  Our Stewardship Committee Mission - to nurture the recognition that God is calling each of us to not only be members of St. Paul's, but to be active disciples of Jesus Christ as it relates to all aspects of life.  As the body of Christ, we are empowered to to do God's will and minister to all His children so that they will enjoy the loving relationship with Him that He intends for us all to know.  Our overall goal is to help God's people grow in their relationship with Jesus through the use of the time, talents, and finances that God has entrusted to us.

  James 2:14 (NIV) What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

Your Stewardship Committee is here for you:

• Tricia West (Chair)
• Miriam Kelly
• John Brenner
• Chad Enck
• Steve Lindberg
• Don Tack
• Lester Thumma

Important Stewardship Drive News!

NEW! Pastor's Stewardship Sermons:

• Stewardship Sermon 1
• Stewardship Sermon 2
• Stewardship Sermon 3
• Stewardship Sermon 4

Brother Steve Lindberg's powerful considerations (extracted from the Epistle)

• Stewardship Reflections - October 2006
• Stewardship Reflections - November 2006
• Stewardship Reflections - December 2006
• Stewardship Reflections - January 2007

Brother John Brenner puts it into perspective...

• Musings of a Poor Lutheran Steward

The most powerful tool and resource for Stewardship is PRAYER.  Take the time to open your heart and mind to the Holy Spirit.  Seek His direction and guidance.  Be willing to be called into action and use your time, talents and finances to serve God.  Be Christ to each other and a light to the world!

Want more?  Then, feel free to visit the ELCA's Stewardship website.

More Coming Soon!!!

TIME

Want more time?  Ever feel like time is flying by and you are left struggling to find quality time for your family and yourself?  Ever feel guilty admitting that fact?  Who doesn't.  YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Good Stewards recognize that through proper time management they actually can create time in their schedules once thought impossible.  In fact, many good stewards realize that they can balance work, play, family and actively engage in volunteer opportunities at church and in the community through applying simple time management techniques.

 How?  Consider the following...

 Know Where Your Time Goes

• Average adult sleeps 7 hours/night (subtract 49 hours for the week)
• On average, a person spends 1 hour/day preparing for the day with showering, brushing teeth, dressing, etc. (subtract 7 hours for the week)
• Average employee works 40 hours/week with an hour commute to/from work (subtract 45 hours for the week)
• How long do you spend doing chores? Such as cleaning the house, doing laundry, preparing meals, etc.
• How long do you spend in running errands?  Such as getting groceries, running to the bank, going to the post office.
• How much time do you spend exercising, reading, watching TV or doing a hobby?
• How many of your children's school activities do you support?
• How often do you attend worship, Sunday School, committee and/or community service projects?

There are 168 hours in a week ( 24 hours/day,  7 days a week).  No more, no less.  While we want to do it all, we must be realistic with ourselves and the people around us.  Subtract the numbers you estimated from the above and determine your net "free time".  Are you left with negative time free?  Are you left with a few hours free?  Or perhaps you have a surplus of time.

Point is, know where your time goes.  Fill your schedule with those things that matter most (prioritize) and define your schedule with a plan to achieve what you hold dear in life.

Consider this old saying, "What is the value of my 'Yes' if I can't say 'No'."  That doesn't give you a way out, rather it should help you recognize that quality, not quantity, should prevail and rank high on your list for refining your weekly schedule.

Remember that minutes add up.  Eventually, they become hours, and hours become days, and days become weeks, weeks turn into months, then years and viola - their is your life. 

Live! Live now!  Live knowing God's purpose for your life and breathe.

Want more?  Checkout this website for Time Management tips and suggestions.

Reading Suggestion:

• The Holy Bible

TALENTS

Rick Warren reminds us in "The Purpose Driven Life" that we are shaped for serving God.  Mr. Warren defines Purpose #4 as this purpose and raises the "Question to Consider: What God-given ability or personal experience can I offer to my church?"

Mr. Warren outlines for us this procedure:

• Begin by assessing your gifts and abilities.
• Consider your heart and your personality.
• Examine your experiences and extract the lessons you have learned.

Need help?  Online personality assessments are powerful tools to help you, know you.  Try one and see for yourself just how much fun they can be!

Once you've performed those steps, review the many worthy time and talents volunteer opportunities available at St. Paul's Church.  Also, fill-out the Time & Talents Questionnaire and return it to the church office and your Stewardship Committee will soon be in with contact you.

Perhaps your thinking bigger than St. Paul's and want to be involved in the larger Carlisle Community.  In that case, consider volunteering for Carlisle C.A.R.E.S. (Combined Area Resources for Emergency Shelter).  Visit the Carlisle C.A.R.E.S. website and read a message from our Council President, Darren Reighard, specifying the many roles that support this ministry.

If you'd still like more information, then contact the Stewardship Committee chair for assistance.  Know this, you are a valued child of God, given the ability to serve a loving Father with so much.  Let your light shine!

Reading Suggestion:

• The Holy Bible
• "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren, Zondervan publishing, 2002.

FINANCES

Money, money, money!  Here we will discuss the T-word or TITHE, and answer questions such as does this mean 10% of Net or Gross income; how to distribute giving amidst so many well deserving ministries; how to manage money as people of God; why is there so much frustration regarding the church's budget and much, much more!

These are important questions, uncomfortable questions, and difficult questions.  As such, this column will reflect with as much care as possible, the biblical interpretation of these questions as understood by a handful of believers.  Want to debate?  We don't.  Want to discuss.  We do.  After reading any of the comments on this page, if you feel compelled to share your thoughts on any of these topics then we would love to hear from you.  Please direct your comments to the Stewardship Chair.

More coming soon!!!

In the meanwhile, and before we get too far, let's review what your current offering does by reviewing this article from the ELCA - What Does My Offering Do?

Reading Suggestion:

• The Holy Bible

• "Ask, Thank, Tell" by Charles Lane, Augsberg Fortress, 2006.

• "Free and Clear: God's Road Map to Debt-Free Living" by Howard Dayton, Moody Publishers, 2006.