As far back as I can remember, we have conducted our stewardship campaigns at St. Stephen’s each year during the months of September and October. Temple talks, sermons, personal phone calls and other forms of communication were used to increase awareness of the importance of making a financial pledge to our ministries. On Stewardship (or Pledge) Sunday, usually held in early November, individual pledges were brought forth and celebrated in a special offering. This year is dif

Last Call! That’s what the beer vendors at the ballpark yell during the 7th inning (because that’s when beer sales are cut off). Last call! That’s what bartenders call out when it’s getting on to closing time (or so I’ve heard–I’ve never actually stayed at a bar until it closed). I’ve got two Last Calls in mind today, one literal, the other metaphorical. The literal one is Last Call! for our Advent Bible study: Great Expectations: Studies In Isaiah. The four weeks of this stu

For those who use Advent calendars, Advent starts on December 1. For those who follow the church year, Advent starts, usually the Sunday after Thanksgiving. In the Celtic tradition, Advent started yesterday, November 15. One resource I read noted that God wanted His people to celebrate and remember their past through festivals such as Passover, Rosh Ha-Shanah, and the Day of Atonement. The Christian church has created its own festivals: Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. Each

I found this good enough to borrow. This past Sunday on All Saints Sunday we and many others remembered our loved ones who have gone before us. In keeping with that spirit and of Thanksgiving, here are prompts to express gratitude to God for a now-departed saint who influenced your life. Nov. 1 Mentored you in your work. Nov. 2 Helped you grow in faith Nov. 3 Gave tangible help during a difficult time Nov. 4 Founded an institution or movement that is important to you Nov. 5 S

"Gratitude opens the door to abundance." I picked up a piece of jewelry recently that had this phrase embossed on it. It spoke to me on several levels, but today I wish to address the dreaded fall topic of Stewardship. Yes, it's that time of year again, the time we send you an upbeat letter and a commitment card and ask you to tell us how much you're willing to support St. Stephen's in the upcoming year. Yes, you will be getting a letter and a commitment card. Yes, we will as