A Prayer at the Start of a Stewardship Campaign

My church is composed of people like me.
I help make it what it is.

It will be friendly,

      if I am.
Its pews will be filled,

     if I help fill them.
It will do great work,

     if I work.
It will make generous gifts to many causes,
     if I am a generous giver. 

It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship,
     if I invite and bring them. 

It will be a church of loyalty and love, 

of fearlessness and faith,

and a church with a noble spirit,
     if I, who make it, am filled with these same things. 

Therefore, 

with your help, Lord, 

I shall dedicate myself to the task 

of being all the things that I want my church to be.

Amen.

Found at https://stboniface-lunenburg.org/a-stewardship-prayer

Prayer for a Stewardship Campaign

Gracious and loving God, as we prepare to build the future in addressing the needs of our growing parish, give us your strength for the work of our hands. Without you we labor in vain, yet with you we can do great things and bear much fruit, fruit that endures. Bless our efforts to build a faith community of caring people on a firm foundation, with Christ as our cornerstone and the Spirit as our binding force. Amen.

--found at https://church-development.com/stewardship-in-scripture/

On Giving

Then said a rich man, Speak to us of Giving. 

     And he answered: 

     You give but little when you give of your possessions. 

     It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. 

     For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear 

you may need them tomorrow?      

     And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog 

burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the 

holy city? 

     And what is fear of need by need itself? 

     Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is 

unquenchable? 

     There are those who give little of the much which they have—and 

they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts 

unwholesome. 

     And there are those who have little and give it all. 

     These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer 

is never empty. 

     There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward. 

     And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their 

baptism. 

     And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do 

they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue; 

     They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into 

space. 

     Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind 

their eyes. He smiles upon the earth. 

 It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through 

understanding; 

     And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy 

greater than giving. 

     And is there aught you would withhold? 

     All you have shall some day be given; 

     Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not 

your inheritors’. 

      You often say, “I would give, but only to the deserving.” 

      The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture. 

      They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish. 

      Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights, is worthy 

of all else from you. 

     And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to 

fill his cup from your little stream. 

     And what desert greater shall there be, than that which lies in the 

courage and the confidence, nay the charity, or receiving? 

     And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their 

pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed? 

     See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of 

giving. 

     For in truth it is life that gives unto life—while you, who deem 

yourself a giver, are but a witness. 

     And you receivers—and you are all receivers—assume no weight of 

gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives. 

     Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings; 

     For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who 

has the freehearted earth for mother, and God for father.

--Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931), Lebanese-American author, poet, and artist, from The Prophet, 1923

On Giving and Taking

Once there lived a man who had a valley-full of needles. And one day the mother of Jesus came to him and said: “Friend, my son’s garment is torn and I must needs mend it before he goeth to the temple. Wouldst thou not give me a needle?”

And he gave her not a needle, but he gave her a learned discourse on Giving and Taking to carry to her son before he should go to the temple.

--Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931), Lebanese-American author, poet, and painter

Resources for Annual Giving and Stewardship

From The Episcopal Church

Liturgical Resources for Stewardship- from TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship). Includes hymns

Faces of Faith: A Steward's Book of Prayers -- from the Standing Commission on Stewardship and Development for the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, 2003

Using the Gifts God Gives Us-- from the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

Stewardship Prayers- from the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia (Western Washington)

Around the Anglican Communion

Building a Generous Church- from "Giving in Grace" from the Church of England. The home page for the Giving in Grace initiative can be found here.

Overflowing with Thanksgiving: A Collection of Stewardship Prayers -- from Giving in Grace

Across Denominations

Leading- from the Center for Faith and Giving, Disciples of Christ; contains numerous strategies and article, including Changing Your Stewardship Culture, Stewardship in a Time of Crisis, and Best Practices for Year-Round Stewardship

Stewardship Prayers- from the Diocese of Scranton

Generosity and Stewardship Prayers-- from the Diocese of York

Personal Stewardship Prayers- from the Anglican Prayer Fellowship in Canada

Corporate Stewardship Prayers- from the Anglican Prayer Fellowship in Canada

Stewardship Prayers- from Archdiocese of Kansas in Kansas

Stewardship Prayers- from the International Catholic Stewardship Council ( a new prayer each month)

Six Stewardship Meeting Prayers-- from the Connect US Fund

Stewardship hymns from Carolyn Winfrey Gillette: https://www.carolynshymns.com/lect_stewardship.html

This link suggests ordinary hymns that have stewardship themes in them: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/faithandfinance/2010/12/03/4-powerful-hymns-about-stewardship/

Scripture, Bible Study, and Preaching

Lectionary Resources for Year Round Stewardship from the Center for Faith and Giving

Year A- Journey to Generosity: the Way of Jesus

Year B- Measuring What Matters

Year C- Go And Do the Same

Strategies

Executive Summary, The Millennial Donors Report-- from 2011, but still has enlightening information; from the Episcopal Diocese of Texas's Stewardship Page

Building a Narrative Budget- from the Center for Faith and Giving, Disciples of Christ

Prayer at the Start of an Annual Giving Campaign

God of our days and years,

we set this time apart for you. 

Form us in the likeness of Christ 

so that our lives may glorify you. 

Amen.

Prayers for Blessing of Oblations

God of Abundant Love, 

make us true stewards of the bounty you entrust to us.
Where there is need, let us meet it;
where there is abundance, let us share it,
where there is time, let us spend it in your service;
where there are resources, let us devote them to your kingdom.
Amen.


Almighty God,
whose Holy Spirit equips the Church with a rich variety of gifts;
grant that we may use them
to bear witness to Christ
by lives built on faith and love.
Make us ready to live his gospel
and eager to do his will,
that we may share with all your Church in the joys of eternal life;
through Jesus, Christ our Lord.
Amen.

--adapted from a prayer at the Diocese of York


Eternal God,
open our eyes to see your hand at work
in the splendour of creation
and in the beauty of human life.
Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us, 

to share our blessings with our sisters and brothers,
and to experience the joy of life in your presence;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

--A Prayer Book for Australia


Thanks be to thee,
my joy and my glory and my hope
and my God.
Thanks be to thee for thy gifts;
but do thou preserve them in me,
thus thou wilt preserve me,
and the things thou hast given me will
increase and be made perfect,
and I shall be with thee:
because even that I exist is thy gift.

-- Augustine of Hippo

Heavenly Father, source of all life,
we thank you for the many ways
in which you have blessed and enriched our lives:
keep us from possessiveness and greed,
and lead us into the greater joy
of sharing your gifts with others.
Through Jesus Christ,
in whom is perfect peace.
Amen.

--Jenny Dann

Abundant God,
you made us in your image
and breathed in us a spirit of generosity
that is both gift and response.
Move us, we pray, to give as we have received -
abundantly, generously, and joyfully,
that our common ministry may ever bear
witness to your unfailing grace.
In the name of the three
in whom we are one,
Amen.

--Episcopal Diocese of Washington

Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous; 

teach me to serve you as you deserve, 

to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds, 

to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labour and not to seek reward,
except that of knowing that I do your will. 

Amen.

--St. Ignatius of Loyola

Prayer: Our Small Difference

We may not be able to confront queens,
or challenge presidents;
We may not have the capacity to divert resources,
or uplift communities;
We may not have the voice to silence the noise of war,
or the words to negotiate peace between armies;
But, as we follow you, O Christ, we are able to do something.

And so, we pray that you would inspire us
to commit to and act on
the small difference we can make:
May we bring peace
through small acts of gentleness
and reconciliation;
May we bring wealth
through small contributions
and collaborations;
May we bring safety
through small acts of consideration
and acceptance;
May we bring wholeness
through small acts of care
and service.

And in the small ways, O God,
may our small difference make a big contribution
to your saving work in our world.


Amen.


-- written by John van de Laar. From Sacredise.com 

Blessing of the Pledge Cards

God of the Broken-Open, God of the Hard-Hearted, Loving God of us all however we come, we bring before you the pledges of our people. 

We thank you for the blessings of this life, of your gifts to us we give back to you. In faith, may we give with thankful hearts. In hope, bless them to your honor and glory in the coming year. In love, guide us to share your love. 

Inspire us to do the work you have given us to do. Encourage us in our weakness. Break open those things which we hold back, so that in the fullness of you we can live, and thrive, and grow. We thank you, Lord, and we commit ourselves, our full selves, our time, talents, and treasure, to you. 

Take these gifts and bless them in the name of Jesus your Christ. Amen.

--from the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

Liturgy for Pledge Ingathering

Exhortation
Priest:The Lord God in his goodness has seen fit to call us together as the Church of Jesus Christ in this place. In our history of being God’s people of St. Martin's Episcopal Church, God has given us his word of creation, redemption and blessing. He has given us his word of forgiveness and grace. He has given us his word of guidance and mission, and sent his Holy Spirit to empower us for that mission. And when we have strayed from his word, God has called us to return to him that we might continue to be blessed by his grace and favor. We are nothing without our God and his word of hope and promise.

Therefore, people of God, on this day I invite you to commit yourselves and your whole lives to God’s holy word and to his loving purpose for you and for us as St. Martin's Episcopal Church, so that our lives may be enriched and the work of our hands blessed and prospered.

Litany of Commitment to God’s Word
Leader: Let us pray. Almighty God, by your holy word, all that we know has come into existence: our universe, our world, our lives, our loved ones, and all that we have and hold so dear. By your holy word, you sent forth your Son to bring us salvation through the cross of death and resurrection. By your holy word, you have called us together to be a Church of love and service in the world. By your holy word, we know that we live in grace and hope. Keep us ever close to your word, that it might be written upon our hearts.
All: We commit our lives to your word, O God.

Leader: Help us to grow in faith and love toward you, so that we might always live in trust and hope.
All:We commit our lives to your word, O God.

Leader: Center us in routines that keep us close to you, O Lord. Center us in weekly worship.
All. We commit our lives to your word, O God.

Leader: Center us in daily prayer.
All: We commit our lives to your word, O God.

Leader: Center us in knowledge of holy scripture.
All: We commit our lives to your word, O God.

Leader: Center us in the mission of the church.
All: We commit our lives to your word, O God.

Leader: Center us in lives of thankful giving and loving for all the blessings which you have bestowed upon us.
All: We commit our lives to your word, O God.

Priest: By your word, O Lord, guide our lives, forgive our sins, inspire our thoughts, shape our attitudes, lighten our darkness, give us eternal hope, and fill our hearts with joy, assuring us of your constant presence, until you bring us at last into the glories of your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

At this time, people may bring their Pledge Cards forward and place them in the baskets before the altar.

Dedication of Pledges & Commitments
Priest: Accept, O God, the tokens of our love and signs of pledge and commitment which we bring forward today. By your word of blessing and grace, may they blossom forth as leaves on a tree, as flowers in our hearts, as blessings in your kingdom, as joy in Jesus Christ.
All: Amen.

 


To view the context for this liturgy as well as to become familiar with other helpful worship resources, click on http://www.LiturgyByTLW.com [Liturgy of God’s Word for Reformation Sunday]

Author
Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel is on the Bishop’s staff of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA as the Director of the Freed to Lead Fund.

Prayer Over Pledge Cards

Gracious and loving God, giver of all that is good and true and beautiful and life-giving. These cards represent our sweat, they represent our lives, they represent our dreams. The pledges which we make on them are but tokens of the awesome gifts that have been given to us and they are pledged in thanksgiving for all we have received, for all we have been inspired to be, for all we are challenged to become, in this place.

May they be the first fruits of all we have and not what we have left over, so that we may live out as closely as possible how you give to us. May we see them as our offering to you, sacred, holy, yet earthy, filled with possibilities. May we hold this image in our hearts and minds so as we watch our offerings each week come to your table, we can see our very selves being part of this offering, it is us on the table, living sacrifices to you. Amen.


--The Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel, Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia

Annual Giving Campaign Prayer: We Pray that We Will Make Stewardship a Way of Life

Eternal God, we pray that we will make stewardship a way of Life. We acknowledge you as the source of all we have and all we are.

Help us to place you, our loving Creator, first in our lives by becoming more prayerful, more focused on loving and caring for our families and our neighbors in need, and by becoming less preoccupied with material things.

Help us to hear your call to be good stewards, caretakers, and managers of all your gifts by sharing them for your purposes.

Help us make your priorities our priorities and to put our faith into action. Help us plan to “give back” the talents, treasures and time with which we have been blessed.

Help us plan to serve our church, our community, and our world with your gifts.

May we serve you and pray with a joyful spirit of mind and heart.

Amen.

(from the Episcopal Diocese of Washington