When a congregation in Chicago a few years ago received $1.5 million from the sale of property, leaders decided to do something unusual with the money. They took a portion of the proceeds and gave each member $500 with the accompanying instruction: “Use this money for God’s work.” It was up to each person to decide how to do that. 

Some members said they were tempted to use the money to pay bills or for some other purpose, but most were excited about putting the money to use for God’s mission in the world. In a way, their task was easy because the money was just handed to them. They never expected to receive this $500. It came to them as sheer gift that they could turn around and give to others. 

But that’s true of all that we have. Our days, our talents, our health, our resources, the skills that allow us to earn a living—all these are ultimately gifts from God. Every day we get to make decisions about how to use these gifts. So the questions before us are really the same as for those who were handed $500. How do we use the gifts we have been given? What will give us the joy of participating in God’s work? How can we invest our resources to make a Jesus-shaped difference in the world?

The Stewardship season at Ascension provides a chance to reflect on the gifts of God in your life and how to use them. It’s a chance to think about how you and others have experienced the grace of God through this congregation. It’s an opportunity to commit to what God is doing at Ascension by pledging your support of this ministry. 

Your pledge of financial support does three things: It helps the finance team plan a budget for 2027; it gives you a tangible way to orient your life around gratitude for the blessings of God; and it strengthens the ministry that we share. 

We will receive pledges during worship on Sunday, November 22.. You may also bring your pledge card into the office, mail it in, or make your pledge electronically via Realm. 

Theologian Henri Nouwen describes Christian community as the place “where we keep the flame of hope in Christ alive among us and take it seriously so that it can grow and become stronger in us.” Your pledge makes that flame stronger.

See you in church,

Pastor David