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A FOCUSED CONSIDERATION
During April and May, we will focus together on stewardship as we consider Jesus' invitation to a life that is wholly devoted to His kingdom purposes. We will be asking questions about our individual and collective responsibility to steward the gifts of time, health, skills, and finances that God has given each of us. This focus will include teaching, dialogue, question and answer times with leadership about issues related to stewardship in our lives, and the future and vision of Bethany.
A CALL TO COMMITMENT
As Paul said to the Corinthians, "You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need and plenty left over to share with others." (Corinthians 9:7-8) As part of our stewardship focus, each of us will be invited to pray about how God would have us participate in the work He's doing at Bethany, and to share this response on a commitment card. Children, youth, college students, singles, and families, should pray and respond, not to pressure, but to what God directs each one to do. He will challenge us all, and the result will be a call, not to equal gifts, but to equal sacrifice. Every commitment will be strictly kept confidential, known only to the church Treasurer, in keeping with Christ's admonition that our giving be ‘in private'.
A COLLECTIVE RESPONSE
As each of us repond to God's leading in these matters, we will discover that we are capable of doing far more collecitvely for God's purposes than any one of us could possibly do alone. And this is one of the great truths of the Christian life: We are called to live together in interdependency; sharing life with one another as a testimony of God's power to reconcile and restore, so that communities of hope can thrive in our world. That's why this is
about so much more than a building, and why each person's response is important!
A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
On May 15, we will gather at the University of Washington for one worship service, drawing together our morning and evening communities to share our life together, celebrate God's faithfulness to our community, and commit our future to Him.
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