We are a church that shares a living, daring confidence
in God’s grace — our congregations are evangelical
mission centers where courageous and wise stewards
are grown. Congregational stewardship begins with
a healthy understanding of gratitude and generosity.
We have first received and therefore we give.
Developing a culture of gratitude and generosity is
the focus for growing stewards in many congregations.
Through the study of Scripture, we develop a trust
in God’s abundance and strive to be faithful disciples
and stewards. The formation of these stewards is
a lifelong journey, and one in which we accompany
each other.
from elca.org
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
Diocesan Bishop
Diocese of Olympia
