Category Image Habits of the Heart: Prayers, Presence, Service, and Gifts


Northaven's Annual Stewardship Campaign



Our theme this year comes from a membership vow common to all United Methodists. Each Sunday, we will unpack the meaning of these vows, talk about what Northaven is already doing in each area, and imagine what kind of church we might be if we could grow into these Habits of the Heart even further.

Pray With Us: Sunday, September 23rd
Epistles Lesson; James 5: 13-18
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 6: 5-15
We are called to pray individually, collectively, and we seek prayer as a mark of our community. We ask for prayers from the church,
and we commit to pray for the church and for each other. We will emphasize the intimacy of prayer through the building of relationship with God. A postcard sent to each member will have a prayer on the back with an invitation to write out a prayer to be shared during "Prayers of the People." Kal Grant will talk about how the prayers and support of Northaven have been meaningful to her family.

Be Present With Us: Sunday, September 30th
Acts of the Apostles: Acts 2: 43-47
This is also "Music Ministry Sunday," which is highly appropriate, since so many people find their connection point to the congregation through this important ministry. We will talk about the importance of our connections with each other, and how important it is for each member to have a place where they "connect." Presence is more than just "showing up," although that's an important part. Presence means finding ways to become intimately connected with small groups in the church. through education, music, service, prayer, etc. In a real sense, all of our Program Ministries are established to become these kinds of connection points for our members. This week's postcard will encourage members to write down the name of a person who has been important to their "connection" with Northaven Church. Donna Wiles will talk about the importance of connection to our church and what it means to her.

Service with Us: Sunday, October 7th
Epistle Lesson; James 2: 14-26
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 25: 31-45
We will lift up the idea that God calls us all to be in ministry and service to the world and the church. We will focus on the idea that our
calling is to be both in mission and witness. One key point of this Sunday is that there are "different gifts" of service. Some may be called to the front lines of activism. Others may feel more comfortable in support roles. Still others may offer quiet witness and service that draws little attention to itself at all. Some may wish to serve the church in some support role.
But point will be: all these kinds of witness and service are needed and valued in the church.
It is hoped that this week's postcard will be a "Volunteer form" where members can offer their gifts of service to the community or the world. Members will be invited to fill them out and return them during worship.


Give with Us: Sunday, October 14th
Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 25: 14-30
We will unpack the concept of "gifts" as meaning our talents, skills, and abilities, as well as our financial blessings. The idea will
be to remind us that God wants us to give of all our gifts, and that the real challenge in giving is to have the trust that stretching our giving can bring reward. It is only in hiding our gifts that we can fail. But gifts that are shared grow in the spirit of God and the trust of the community. The congregation will be invited to dedicate their pledge cards at the end of this service. Sarah Wilke will inspire us with her thoughts on the importance of giving to the community.

Posted: Monday - September 24, 2007 at 02:40 PM           |

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