Commitment Sunday

Dear Soapstone Family,                                                                        

              We who follow Jesus, do so in response to a gift received: the gift of life and love in God’s only Son, the indwelling of God’s Spirit in our hearts, and God’s constant giving in creation, humanity, the world, and the Church. When in awesome wonder we consider all God’s hands have made, we cannot help but echo Paul’s words, “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We say thank you from the deepest part of ourselves in which the Word of God has touched and changed us: the heart, beating in gratitude for God who was, and is, and is to come. It has been said “If the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” (Meister Eckhart). 

At Soapstone UMC we say thank you through our worship where we “offer up a sacrifice of praise to God” (Heb 13:15) through three preaching pastors, 11 vocal and instrumental groups, and lay teams such as ushers, greeters, scripture readers, communion servers, AV, acolytes, and altar guild.

We say thank you through our learning where dozens of Sunday school classes, Bible studies, support groups, and small groups gather to enter ever deeper into God’s story.

We say thank you through fellowship as a Christian community that practices habits of hospitality and encircles all who we encounter with Christ’s love.

We say thank you through service, taking seriously Jesus’ teaching to love our neighbors as well as the Biblical imperative to care for Creation. This year we said thank you by giving $28,000 as well as in-kind gifts to missional causes.

On October 22, Commitment Sunday, we invite you to say thank you to God by placing the completed enclosed card in the offering plate, after which we will pray a blessing over your expressions of gratitude. The cards turned in that day or submitted earlier online will help us formulate a budget so we at Soapstone UMC can continue to live thankful lives. Online pledges may be made here. 

Buddy Mayo                                                  Ann Jones                   Rev. Mitzi Johnson
Generosity 2023-24 Chair                         Finance Chair            Lead Pastor