We interrupt our preaching series on crosses for a four week series on stewardship during a time of pandemic. It has been a remarkable year of giving for this congregation. In the midst of the pandemic, giving is right on track with what was pledged, plus we have raised extra funds for our Pandemic Relief Fund. As we look to commitments for 2021, it will be curious to see if uncertainty due to the pandemic, or perhaps a response to how the election cycle turns out, will impact pledging.
Either last year or the year before, I preached a sermon on this same Jeremiah text. It would have been a perfect fit for this sermon theme. I did work in part of the Jeremiah text, but did not focus as much on it as I did when I previously preached the sermon based on the text.
“Stewardship in a Time of Pandemic: Invested and Inspired” October 11, 2020, SAPC, Denton; Dr. Richard B. Culp; Philippians 4: 10-17; Jeremiah 32: 1-15
Philippians 4: 10-19
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.
15 You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. 18 I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Introduction: since March, we have been trying to figure out how to go about our lives in the midst of a pandemic - we spent several months learning to work, to connect with others, to be the church in a time of quarantine.
Then, we moved to what we might call semi-quarantine - places opening up, but limited capacity; some headed back to work; some continuing to work at home; and numbers rising or falling depending on the week
Our worship now reflects this time - some people here in -person socially distanced and wearing masks; some people watching at home.
the church calendar moves forward and we continue learning to do what we do in this changing environment. A congregational meeting next week with in-person people in the sanctuary and others Zooming in - we never would have even imagined that scenario a year ago as we planned the last congregational meeting to elect officers.
how do we do stewardship in the midst of all this,
Stewardship in a time when for some their job status is threatened or has changed when financial uncertainty seems to be the norm.
The stewardship committee invites you to join with us as we take a break for the sermons on crosses we wear and reflect on stewardship in a time of pandemic. I hope you saw the video this past Tuesday - if not check it out - and then be sure and see the videos in the coming weeks.
Now, we reflect on being inspired and invested in our stewardship.
Move 1: We begin by reflecting on how we invest as partners through our stewardship.
a. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he shares how meaningful it was for them to send him gifts.
1. Paul makes it clear that he does not need the gift - he learned to be satisfied in whatever circumstance he faces. he works to support himself in his ministry; he will be ok. (http://www.lectionarystudies.com/sunday28aee.html; "The Power that Christ Gives," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.)
2. But, the value of their gift, in large part, is the partnership with Paul it signifies.
3. their willingness to invest in him means they join with him in the ministry of proclaiming the gospel to the world around them.
b. Our stewardship campaign means more than just a certain amount of dollars in pledges.
1. it always does, but this year, in particular, it is about investing in what God is doing.
2. It is about committing to being partners with God in the ongoing work of God in the world.
3. The uncertainty of a pandemic may bring with if financial challenges, but it also calls us to engage in ministry, to meet the new needs arising in the world due to the pandemic.
4. our stewardship campaign this year calls us to commit to being partners with God in facing our world and responding to its needs.
5. Like the Philippians who invest in Paul’s work, become partners with him, we turn to God and invest ourselves and the ministries of St. Andrew in what God is doing in the midst of a pandemic
move 2: Our stewardship is also about being inspired and inspiring others.
a. As we read Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we see how important their gifts were to Paul as a sign of their commitment to him.
1. the Philippians had been generous in their support of Paul in the past.
2. But, in this challenging moment for him, he finds their financial gifts an inspiring symbol.
3. our stewardship campaign this year may be more symbolic than most years.
4. In our world where coronavirus threatens us in a variety of ways, where political divisiveness is center stage, where the threat of global war seems to be growing, the future seems uncertain.
5. In that space, we stand and boldly proclaim that God’s future is still before us.
6. Not just words - as visible proof of our belief in God’s future, we make pledges and invest ourselves in that future.
7. Both an actual commitment, but also a symbolic one for all the world to see and be inspired.
8. Uncertainty may abound, but St. Andrew is still here offering worship, feeding the hungry, reaching out through our Pandemic Relief Fund. A visible sign of God’s enduring presence.
b. That’s what happens in the story about the prophet Jeremiah that we read this morning.
1. You perhaps remember the story.
2. God’s people are in trouble.
3. The threats around them abound.
4. No coronavirus, but the Babylonian army is at their doorsteps.
5. Exile appears to be imminent.
c. Jeremiah, God’s prophet, is having some personal trouble as well.
1. Imprisoned for making King Zedekiah angry with his prophecies.
2. Jeremiah has learned that if you tell the king he is going to be defeated; that he is going to taken into exile; and it is the king’s fault, there’s a good chance you are going to end up in prison.
3. What should Jeremiah do?
d. God has an idea for him.
1. “Jeremiah, when your cousin comes and tells you to buy some family property, a field in Anathoth, buy the field.”
2. Just what Jeremiah is looking for - a chance to invest in the future when the world seems to offer no future.
3. So Jeremiah buys the field.
5. A sign to the world that God is not done with Israel and the world.
6. A concrete investment in the future to inspire those around him and help them lay claim to their hope in God.
e. In 2001, the church I served in Ohio put together a plan for a major capital campaign.
1. it was the culmination of a process that determined the church needed to renovate almost all of its current facility and add another building, which would double the usable space for ministry in downtown Troy where the Presbyterian church stood.
2. The capital campaign committee had met and put into place the plan. Kick-off would be in October of 2001.
3. All the plans were in place by late summer.
4. Then, September 11th arrived and the world was changed by a barbaric act of terrorism.
5. The world was reeling. Uncertainty filled the air - what was going to happen to the economy, to the world in the aftermath of 9/11.
6. the Session sent word to the Capital campaign committee asking them to consider if the capital campaign and the building project it would fund should be put on hold.
7. The chair of the committee came to the next Session meeting. A lengthy discussion unfolded.
What was the prudent thing to do?
After going back and forth, considering lots of different options and angles, the chair of the capital campaign committee said to the Session: “We have lots of good reasons to postpone the capital campaign. And maybe we should. but, we also believe that God has a purpose for this church. Right now it might be good to tell the congregation and our community that we are moving forward, investing in the future because we believe God is calling us into that future.”
8. the lengthy silence that followed was finally broken by a motion to continue with the capital campaign as planned. It carried unanimously.
9. Investing in the future of the church became a symbol for the congregation of trusting in God’s future for them.
10. As we make pledges and a commitment to the future ministries of St. Andrew, we lift up the God whose future continues to unfold before us.
Move 3: A final thought - we dare to make commitments in a sign of uncertainty because that is who we are.
a. IN his letter to the Philippians, Paul notes that they had been generous in their support of him in the past. (http://www.lectionarystudies.com/sunday28aee.html; "The Power that Christ Gives," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.)
1. They knew what it meant to give of their resources.
2. The Philippians had a strong history of good stewardship.
3. Paul may be overjoyed, but he is not surprised by the generosity of the Philippians. They have a track record of generosity.
b. As we begin our stewardship campaign in this time of uncertainty and pandemic, I liken our situation to that of the Philippians.
1. St. Andrew (you) has a strong history of giving.
2. St. Andrew has a strong history of faithful and generous stewardship.
3. This year, during the pandemic, a constant has been the flow of giving coming you.
4. As we look to make commitments for 2021, we build on that legacy.
5. We stand and proclaim to the world that God is still at work, and we are partners in God’s work.
c. As I was reflecting on St. Andrew’s long history of giving, I was reminded of a conversation Dr. McCoy had years ago when he was the minister here.
I was in high school,
- someone asked him about the multi-colored Word of Faith tower you used to see off of I-35 headed to Dallas down around Farmer’s Branch.
It was part of the Robert Tilton empire. At one point, 235 TV markets showed the worship in that tower and it brought in nearly $80 million per year.
Someone asked Dr. McCoy what he thought about that tower they passed on the highway.
As I remember it, Dr. McCoy said something about churches that come and go, and he bet St. Andrew would still be here long after that tower was gone because of St. Andrew’s commitment to serve others and be faithful to God here in downtown Denton.
Conclusion: And here we are. Still here. Still investing in God’s unfolding future, still committing to being partners in the ministries to which God calls us.
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