Our giving is an act of praise.
Our giving is more than just making the bills. Our giving is an act of praise. It is letting praise of God permeate all areas of our lives – including our finances. It is using our God given gifts to be bold about praising God. In that boldness, those gifts are used so that others might know the never-shy love of God.
When you see the looks of accomplishment on the faces of people learning English as another language and the faces of our volunteers in our ESOL ministry, that is stewardship.
When our children sing songs about Jesus love, growing in faith and prayer, because their teachers and parents/caregivers have taken the time to share their faith, that is stewardship.
When we send our tithe, 12% of our income, to the Metropolitan New York Synod and it is used for relief efforts, hunger, education, and sharing the love of God, that is stewardship.
When we feed people who are hungry, this year to date over 29,000 people, that is stewardship.
When we receive prayer & strength in worship, at the communion table & in relationship, that is stewardship.
When we teach our young people, attend Adult Bible class or bake cookies for Coffee Hour, we unite with others in community for the sake of the Church.
When we help others learn English in ESL class, help clean after Community Lunch or give to the Food Pantry, we unite with others in community for the sake of the neighborhood.
When we give beyond our regular offerings to Lutheran Disaster Response, visit one of our sister congregations in El Salvador or Tanzania or support the Heifer Project or Bread for the World, we unite with other in community for the sake of the world.
Together we are
Gathering to praise God
Sharing Christ’s love
Baptizing people into faith
Advocating for hungry people
Supplying groceries & hot meals to over 29,000 people
Traveling to the ELCA National Youth Gathering
Providing legal aid and support to immigrants
Celebrating and building the faith of our children
Learning together in Bible Study
Growing in faith on our church retreat
Creating beautiful music that praises God
Producing podcasts to share the word of God
Building stronger ties with our sister churches in El Salvador and Tanzania
And so much more…
Ever since I came here I feel like God has become part of my life [. . .] The people who are joining this community are being transformed. I am, I think, an example of that. - Adolfo R.
We moved to New York for my spouse's job, and I didn't really know anyone here. What I found with Advent is a wonderful, welcoming community and a place that feels like home. - Abby F.
The people here have helped me to rejoice in my faith, live in my faith, and showed me how to use that faith and love to try to be a better person, set an example, and share that love with others. - Lynne H.
For me, being at Advent, coming here every Sunday, the whole community, every single sermon, is like a call to action. I call it "living out loud." It's not just a one-time event. It's like, what do you do after the sermon ends? What's next? - Blessing T.
When I became a single parent, the support that Advent gave me made me stronger to take care of my children. - Rebecca C.
Your stewardship empowers our renewed Mission & Vision.
Together, we completed a 9-month visioning process and renewed our Mission & Vision on September 22. Now, we’re creating the plan to realize that mission.
Our mission is to welcome all people experience and live out God’s love. Following the example of Jesus, our strategy is the practice authentic community that builds an inclusive faith. Our vision is to be a church where the Holy Spirit transforms people’s faith, the community, and the world.
And that mission, to invite people to experience and live out God’s love is an urgent one. There are so many people who do not know that God loves them for who they are and who they are becoming. People who have been told (or shown) they are unlovable so many times they walk through life like it is true. In our bold praising, in our gifts used to proclaim the never – shy love of God, we can be the catalyst for transformation, for freedom, for hope.
That is the work of the church. Please prayerfully consider your Stewardship Pledge for 2020, and how your acts of praise might join with the praise of others to do the work of the church. That is, to help people know the never-ending love of God. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Think about where and how God is leading you to give to God’s mission at Advent.
When you are ready, fill out your stewardship commitment card below.