Bible reading
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12: 4 – 7)
Meditation
‘God has given you unique abilities, talents, and gifts … If you think your talents are simply for you to make a lot of money, retire, and die, you’ve missed the point of your life. God gave you talents to benefit others, not yourself. And God gave other people talents that benefit you … We’re all a part of the body of Christ, and each part matters. There are no insignificant people in the family of God. You are shaped to serve God, and he is testing you to see how you are going to use the talents he gave you. Whether you are a musician or an accountant, a teacher or a cook, God gave you those abilities to serve others … You are a manager of the gifts God has given to you.’ (http://pastorrick.com/devotional/english/make-the-most-of-your-talents)
We see this worked out in the Parable of the Talents where, ‘people are given assignments, they have responsibilities, and they have to report back to the boss, who then assesses them and rewards them with further work responsibility – or punishes them with demotion (or the sack). The ‘parable of the talents is about whether we try to be the best we can be, working with God to build His kingdom, heal His creation, including the workplace – which, like everything else, will be perfected at the end of time. It’s about being ourselves, not trying to be people we’re not. It’s about doing only what we are capable of doing, but doing it very well. It’s about a God who entrusts us with things of enormous worth – the possibilities of being His co-workers – and who will love us for what we have done unless (... unless we hide the gift, don’t ask Him for help using it, and then turn around and tell Him it was all His own fault anyway).' (Will Morris, ‘Where is God at Work?’)
This autumn we are encouraging all those who come to St Stephen Walbrook to reflect on the various ways in which we can use their time, talents and treasure in God’s service. Each of us has special qualities, skills and talents. Could your talents be used for the work of St Stephen Walbrook? Each of us has time, talents and treasure which could be given out of gratitude and to help this church. Will you help in some way? Can you use your gifts to share in God’s plan for his kingdom and for the work of St Stephen Walbrook?
Our Stewardship leaflet explains how your talents could be used here at St Stephen. Could you offer your time and talents for tasks such as administration (including data entry, Discover & explore rotas, Parish Rate, publicity), bell ringing, cleaning, counting collections, hospitality (special events and/or Thursday Eucharists), IT, leading prayers, London Internet Church, marketing, PCC membership, preparing invitations, publicity, reading the Bible in services, sidesperson (welcoming others to services), Start:Stop advertising, among other tasks? I encourage you to reflect on how you use your your talents currently and whether you could give your talents out of gratitude and to help this church.
Prayer
Loving Father, you alone are the source of every good gift. We praise you for all your gifts to us, and we thank you for your generosity. Everything we have, and all that we are, comes from you. Help us to be grateful and responsible. We commit ourselves to being good stewards. Help us to be grateful, accountable, generous, and willing to give back with increase. Help us to make stewardship a way of life.
Show us how to share our gifts with others, and inspire us always to follow your example of generous self-giving.
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will. All I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace. That is enough for me.
Show us how to share our gifts with others, and inspire us always to follow your example of generous self-giving.
Jesus, our saviour and brother, you teach us that to serve others is to act in your name. Send your Spirit to guide us; give us your wisdom and strength as we reach out to those who need your care. Fill us with compassion, and give us your peace so that we may be faithful witnesses of your love.
Show us how to share our gifts with others, and inspire us always to follow your example of generous self-giving.
Blessing
Gracious and loving God, you call us to be the stewards of your abundance, the caretakers of all you have entrusted to us. Help us to use your gifts wisely and to share them generously. May our stewardship be a genuine reflection of our discipleship, a tangible sign of our commitment to Christ. May those blessings of almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rest upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
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Sister Rosetta Tharpe - That's All.
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