Our Stewardship theme this year is “Showered with the Gifts of Grace.” One of the gifts is God’s grace that fills us and our lives. Grace describes God’s attitude and action toward us. Grace is undeserved love. Grace is a free-giving heart. To live gracefully is to live and respond joyfully to God’s grace. It is to live outside of oneself. It is to live openly, to give, to share, to care. To live gracefully is to live with the constant knowledge that God is acting to and for and through us. We should joyfully share God’s grace and give thanks for all that God has given, especially the gift of forgiveness and life in Jesus Christ.
What is Stewardship? God has entrusted each of us with resources and as stewards we are responsible for managing His gifts wisely. We are God’s resources, and through us God does His work here on earth. Stewardship is responding with care and love to the abundance that God has given us.
Fall Stewardship: Showered with the Gifts of Grace
Monday, 08 October 2007
“I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.” (Ezekiel 34:26)
The fields were parched and brown from lack of rain, and the crops lay wilting from thirst. People were anxious and irritable as they searched the sky for any sign of relief. Days turned into arid weeks. No rain came. The ministers of local churches called for an hour of prayer on the town square the following Saturday. They requested that everyone bring an object of faith for inspiration. And at high noon on the appointed Sunday, the townspeople turned out in mass, filling the square with anxious faces and hopeful hearts.
The ministers were touched with the variety of objects clutched in prayerful hands—holy books, crosses, rosaries. One pastor however admonished the crowd for their lack of faith, asking why no one had brought an umbrella if they expected it to rain. Then he smiled when he noticed a small nine year old child hidden in the middle of the crowd, holding an umbrella. As if on command, a soft rain began to fall; and the townspeople cheered in thanksgiving.
The symbol for this year’s annual stewardship campaign is an umbrella. It reminds us of God’s faithfulness in providing all that we need. Even though we may have experienced a dry summer here in Arizona, we know that God never ceases to shower us with his love and grace every day. In gratitude to God, we are eager to “give back” a portion of what we have received for God’s work through our congregation. The more we are willing to share our blessings with others, the more impact God can make through our ministry.
Lift up your umbrellas high this fall as a sign of your trust and faith in our loving God. You will be receiving a commitment card to indicate your pledge of support to our 2008 ministry budget (mission spending plan).
Prayerfully consider what God is calling you to do this year to help further God’s gospel mission through Prince of Peace. We are on a roll and to sustain the momentum, we need the faithful financial support of God’s people.
Please plan to turn in your commitment on or before our Dedication Sunday, November 18. Thank you!
May God shower you with blessings!
Share Your Gifts
Saturday, 21 October 2006
Now is the time to revitalize Prince of Peace with your time and talent. It's a new year, a new pastor, a new, staff, a new fresh beginning, a time to bring new life ad vigor to Prince of Peace.
We often assume that our monetary pledge is the only gift that is important to the church; it is not. Our time and talent gifts to Prince of Peace give extra meaning to the worship of our Lord and Savior.
With the new and exciting plans for Prince of Peace, the need for your known or unkown talent is great. You should have received a Servant's Manual time and talent form in the mail (if you haven't received one you may pick one up at the church office, or you can download a PDF version). Please complete and return this form, feeling the Holy Spirit guiding you.
As part of Prince of Peace's fall stewardship emphasis, you have received a Servant Manual, a time and talent form for sharing your spiritual gifts.
There are several resources available to you online at aPlaceOfGrace.org to help you in exploring, discovering and sharing your spiritual gifts.
You can discover your gifts by taking a gifts assessment online. This assessment may help you in determining where your gifts are a best match for the needs of our congregation. Use the link above, or use the "Your Gifts" menu on the right.
The Servant Manual is the best way for you to indicate your interest in sharing your gifts. However, at any time you are welcome to indicate your volunteering interests online by using the online volunteer form.
You may also contact us about volunteering by using the email address
Finally, you may wish to check out our online discussion forum. Share information and encourage each other online.
The ministers were touched with the variety of objects clutched in prayerful hands—holy books, crosses, rosaries. One pastor however admonished the crowd for their lack of faith, asking why no one had brought an umbrella if they expected it to rain. Then he smiled when he noticed a small nine year old child hidden in the middle of the crowd, holding an umbrella. As if on command, a soft rain began to fall; and the townspeople cheered in thanksgiving. 
Lift up your umbrellas high this fall as a sign of your trust and faith in our loving God. You will be receiving a commitment card to indicate your pledge of support to our 2008 ministry budget (mission spending plan). 
We often assume that our monetary pledge is the only gift that is important to the church; it is not. Our time and talent gifts to Prince of Peace give extra meaning to the worship of our Lord and Savior.
As part of Prince of Peace's fall stewardship emphasis, you have received a Servant Manual, a time and talent form for sharing your spiritual gifts.
Find volunteer opportunities that fit your gifts by checking out these web sites: