August 2010

The purpose of this newsletter is to promote year-round stewardship. Each issue will include a “to do” list for that month, as well as items that may be included in worship bulletins and newsletters. Book reviews, questions, comments, problems with your church’s stewardship program and suggestions to improve this newsletter are all welcomed. Email Rev. William E. Buckeye at revbill_bumc@sbcglobal.net

August To-Do List

• Remit Shared Ministry payment to the conference treasurer.
  
  
• Continue fall campaign preparations. By this time the campaign should be selected, the chairperson recruited and the planning well under way. Order all materials and organize all sub-committees needed to conduct your campaign.
  
  
• Begin to think about 2010 budget needs. What ministries should be continued? What new ministries is your congregational being called to undertake. What will these need for adequate support along with salaries, building maintenance and other on-going needs?

INTRODUCTIONS TO THE OFFERING FOR LECTIONARY PREACHERS
(These can be printed in the bulletin at the place of the offering, or spoken as the invitation for the ushers to come forward)

August 1 – Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
A stern warning to those who are concerned only for their physical welfare! A steward is called to balance their own needs and wants with those of God’s dreams.

August 8 – Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Earthly wealth and possessions aren’t necessarily signs that a person is living a stewardship lifestyle. Rather, as Jesus advises, don’t get all wrapped up with possessions.

August 15- Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Accepting the call to live as true stewards is going to be tough! We might even discover that members of our own family can’t accept such a lifestyle.

August 23 - Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
As stewards of all that God has given us, including Sabbath rest, how does our use of time let others see that we actually mean what we say, that we do what we talk about?

August 29 – Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Jesus reminds us that the calling of a steward is to take care of those from whom we can expect no reward. This is not as easy task for many of us.

 INTRODUCTIONS TO THE OFFERING FOR GENERAL USE
(These can be used the same as the above statements. You might also consider printing the above statements in your bulletin at the place of the offering without ever speaking them, and then using these as your spoken introductions to the offering)

August 2
When you give to this church and we pay our shared ministry askings we help to spread the gospel in news places in East Ohio through the conference’s Evangelism Training and Mentoring. This training, offered to both pastors and lay persons, teaches us how to share the good news of Jesus in our communities.  Thank you for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ throughout this conference by supporting the ministries of ______________ United Methodist Church.

August 9
How often we think of mission projects as being in other, impoverished parts of the country or world. However, when you support our church, we pay our shared ministry askings and you are helping to feed and clothe those in need through pantries, shelters, and clothes closets throughout East Ohio and the world. Thank you for ministering to “the least of these” in the name of Jesus Christ by supporting the ministry of ____________ United Methodist Church.

August 16
When you give to our church you are helping our denomination support mission work in over 160 countries. Truly we are changing the world in Jesus’ name. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ throughout the world. Thank you for your faithful support of _____________ United Methodist Church.

August 23
Across the country students are beginning to arrive back at college campuses. Many of the students who attend our historic black colleges are dependent on scholarships provided by the Black College Fund. When we pay our shared ministry askings we support Fund V (5) which supports the Black College Fund.

August 30
Summer months are hard on cash flow. As we move back into fall schedules of school, Sunday school and added church activities do you need to catch up on your giving so our church is not hindered in her capacity to serve Jesus this fall?

WEB SITES WORTH CHECKING OUT:
East Ohio Conference Credit Union
General Board of Discipleship
UMC Giving
Maximum Generosity
Crown Financial Ministries
Ecumenical Stewardship Center
Leader Skills International- Dynamic Giving Program
Living Stewardship Program
Clergy Financial
LeWay Resources
Quill Giving Program

PLANNED GIVING
The East Ohio United Methodist Foundation has as its sole purpose helping churches with endowments, planned gifts and other financial services. You can reach Brian Sheetz, executive director at brian@eoumf.org.