What is Stewardship?

Everything comes from God.

When we give to the Church, we return to God, the Owner, His rightful portion. Whatever our occupation is, it involves interaction with resources that God has provided. The health that we have, allows us to work, and comes from God. The more we are given, the more that is expected of us.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, …but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34)

Why must we give monetarily?

Money Enables Ministry Orthodox Christian financing is focused upon the soul and giving as we have been blessed. Giving money to our church is a symbolic act. It is the offering of ourselves in service and devotion to God.

Money is a necessary tool for all Parish Ministries and the entire operating budget. We strive to be a self-supporting entity. In other words, through Stewardship, our Church and our church grounds should be completely supported by our contributions.

Your Stewardship monetary contributions are vital to our Church in order to:

• Provide religious services and sacraments (baptism, marriage, funerals, Patron Saint days, special holidays, Christmas and Easter, etc.)
• Provide religious counseling
• Provide religious education for our children and for adults
• Provide cultural education and opportunities
• Communicate regularly with you through church publications and mailings Continue visitations to the hospitalized and shut-ins
• Maintain and repair our buildings
• Pay for all utilities – heating, cooling, phone service, etc.
• Pay for all staff including our priests and secretaries
• Pay for landscaping and ground maintenance
• Pay for snow removal and parking lot maintenance
• Support our Diocese (St. Lazarus pays $65/steward)
• Provide for so much more

As in your own home, an annual budget is established to cover all of the needs at St. Lazarus. It is our hope that through the generous spirit of all Stewards, we will be able to initiate a self-sustaining momentum for future years to come without the assistance of our hall or outside sources.

We each have been endowed with natural abilities.

These abilities can be physical, social or intellectual. Besides these natural abilities, we have been endowed with spiritual gifts which we received from the Holy Spirit at our Baptism. Sharing our natural abilities and spiritual gifts with others brings great personal satisfaction and joy.

“Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (St. Paul to the Hebrews 13: 7-16)

Examples of sharing our talents:

• Participating in church organizations and committees
• Building a set for St. Sava
• Playing the piano for children
• Teaching a Sunday School class
• Teaching a Kolo class
• Utilizing your technology skills
• Organizing a fundraiser or field trip or community trip
• Sharing your cooking and baking abilities
• Serving on the Executive Board

All these gifts come from above and when shared bring great joy and reward.