{"id":16294,"date":"2017-10-12T14:11:38","date_gmt":"2017-10-12T18:11:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=16294"},"modified":"2017-11-14T16:35:58","modified_gmt":"2017-11-14T20:35:58","slug":"practicing-extravagant-generosity-1015-thru-1111-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=16294","title":{"rendered":"Practicing Extravagant Generosity (10\/15 thru 11\/11 2017)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Unity.\u00a0 Pulling together to be of one heart and one purpose.\u00a0 In our church, that purpose is to glorify our Creator-God and to help Him build His Kingdom.\u00a0 Our goal is to become more like Christ in every facet of our lives. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-113\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/hands-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"134\" height=\"179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/hands-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/hands.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 134px) 100vw, 134px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One of the attributes of God is that He is generous&#8230; REALLY generous.\u00a0 Imagine the Son of God somehow squeezing Himself into a human body, living on this earth, and then dying on a Roman cross?\u00a0 Think about the God who has provided all of your needs throughout your lifetime.\u00a0 Even if you wanted more (wealth, health, prestige), God has always given you what you needed.<\/p>\n<p>To become like Christ, we must allow the Holy Spirit to develop a spirit of generosity in our own hearts.<\/p>\n<h3>\u00a0<\/h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Practicing Extravagant Generosity<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>How does our &#8220;stuff&#8221; (money and possessions) affect our relationship to God?\u00a0 Or, how does our relationship to God affect our use of our &#8220;stuff&#8221;?<\/p>\n<p>Bishop <a href=\"http:\/\/robertschnase.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Robert Schnase<\/a> (the Bishop of the Missouri Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church), wrote a devotional entitled &#8220;Practicing Extravagant Generosity.&#8221;\u00a0 It&#8217;s intended to answer those questions.<\/p>\n<p>Below is a video of Bishop Schnase preaching a sermon which breaches the difficult topic of money and how we decide to spend it.<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Practicing Extravagant Generosity - Bishop Robert Schnase\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yPbwPeOu0Ns?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<p>In the above message, Bishop Schnase tells us that we give because:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>God commanded us to be generous (think of the Good Samaritan)<\/li>\n<li>Because we love our church- we want it to thrive<\/li>\n<li>Because it fundamentally changes our relationship to the material world&#8230; it changes us<\/li>\n<li>It gives us a chance to align our action to our beliefs (to put our money where our mouth is).<\/li>\n<li>God uses our generosity to reconfigure our interior lives.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Join Together<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>On Sunday 10\/8\/17 we distributed copies of the devotional &#8220;Practicing Extravagant Generosity: Daily Readings on the Grace of Giving&#8221; to every member of our congregation.\u00a0 This is intended to be more than just reading a book; our prayer is that this will be an exercise in unity.\u00a0 As we each read the same daily devotions, meditate on the same Scriptures, and ponder the same questions, this book will serve as a tool of unity.\u00a0 Each of us will be able to pray daily for our church and to reflect on our own personal relationship to our &#8220;stuff&#8221; (time, energy, and money).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-info'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> If you weren&#8217;t in church on Sunday 10\/8 and would like to join in this experience, contact\u00a0 <a href=\"Mailto:office@Pitmanumc.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">church office<\/span> <\/a> to obtain a copy of the book. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There is no cost. The books are provided by the generosity of PUMC.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you&#8217;re not in our area (or if you&#8217;re reading this years later), here&#8217;s some info on ordering your own copy:\u00a0<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books\/about\/Practicing_Extravagant_Generosity.html?id=5y2Y6hxGrI0C\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Google Books<\/span><\/a>.<span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 The link also includes a preview.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">A Daily Experience<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The book &#8220;Practicing Extravagant Generosity&#8221; is intended to be a daily devotional guide: a chance to consider our relationship to our possessions and to reflect on how they can be used to improve our relationship to God (or on how they may be impeding our relationship to God).<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-16300 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Gen17-Extravagant-Generosity-Cover-_IMG_0929-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Gen17-Extravagant-Generosity-Cover-_IMG_0929-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Gen17-Extravagant-Generosity-Cover-_IMG_0929.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The book contains four weeks of daily devotions.\u00a0 We will begin reading these devotions together on Monday October 16.\u00a0 We won&#8217;t be in the same location when we experience these devotions, but we will be will be together in Spirit.<\/p>\n<p>If you happen to get behind, feel free to catch up using whatever schedule works best for you.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s the schedule we&#8217;re aiming for.\u00a0 Each &#8220;week&#8221; begins on Monday and ends on Sunday):<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Week 1<\/span><\/strong> (pages 11-26):\u00a0\u00a0 October 16 thru October 22<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Week 2<\/span><\/strong> (pages 31-45):\u00a0 October 23 thru October 29<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Week 3<\/span><\/strong> (pages 51-65):\u00a0 October 30 thru November 5<br \/>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff00ff;\">Week 4<\/span><\/strong> (pages 71-88):\u00a0 November 6 thru November 12 (Generosity Sunday)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Open the following &#8220;drop downs&#8221; each week to see where we are in the book.\u00a0 Each day also poses questions to think about, and it also suggests prayer concerns (click on the links to learn more about the ministry that&#8217;s to be lifted up).<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s begin our adventure in Practicing God&#8217;s Grace of Giving!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>WEEK 1: 10\/16 - 10\/22<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\n\t\t\t<div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tMonday 10\/16\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tTuesday 10\/17\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tWednesday 10\/18\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tThursday 10\/19\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tFriday 10\/20\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tSaturday 10\/21\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tSunday 10\/22\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">From Stewardship to Generosity (p11)<\/span><\/strong>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:\u00a0<\/span> <\/strong>What do you think of when you hear the word &#8220;Stewardship&#8221;?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span> <\/strong>The ministries of our church<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Building Nests (p14)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question: <\/span><\/span><\/strong>Why support the ministries of PUMC?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern: <\/span><\/strong>Tonight&#8217;s <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=185\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Smile Today <\/a><\/span>(NA) meeting.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Seeds with Wings (p17)\n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question: <\/span><\/strong>Where have you planted seeds?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern: <\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The example you set for the children and youth of our church (or for adults if you are a youth).\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Partnering with God (p20) <\/span>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 Have you ever gone beyond your normal giving?\u00a0 Any regrets?\u00a0 How did it feel?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>The Not Ready for <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=177\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Prime Time Singers<\/span><\/a> as they visit our shut ins this Saturday.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Muscle Memory (p22)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\"> \u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How does PUMC giving affect your other spending habits?<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 How do your other spending habits affect your PUMC giving?<\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">\n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer<\/span><span style=\"color: #993366;\"> Concern:<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> People shopping for food and preparing meals in our homes.\u00a0 <\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Pocket Change (p24)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 What are some little (possibility unnoticed) things that PUMC does to help our community?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern: <\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Our sextons and those who maintain our <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=630\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">building<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span>.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">The Grace of Giving (p26)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 How do you feel when you hear someone speak about money from the pulpit?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> Our Finance Committee<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left --><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/p>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>WEEK 2: 10\/23 - 10\/29<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'><div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tMonday 10\/23\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tTuesday 10\/24\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tWednesday 10\/25\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tThursday 10\/26\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tFriday 10\/27\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tSaturday 10\/28\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tSunday 10\/29\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">As if for the Very First Time (p31)<\/span>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 Can you remember a time when you went out of your way to help someone?\u00a0 How did it feel?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=596\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pastor Jim <\/a><\/span>and hospital visitations.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Whitewater World! (p34)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span> <\/strong>Think of a rough time you&#8217;ve been through.\u00a0 Did your faith get stronger or did it get weaker?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> Our <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=179\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Stephen Ministry<\/span><\/a> program (caregivers and care receivers).\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">What Happens to God&#8217;s Love? (p37)<\/span>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong> Have you ever received a surprisingly expensive gift? How did that make you feel?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> For the people who visit our Fellowship Hall today to receive a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=8814\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">flu shot<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Ownership (p39)<\/span>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Question:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span> How do you view your &#8220;stuff&#8221;?\u00a0 Is it your right to do with it however you please?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span>\u00a0 <\/strong>Our Trustees.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Robust Ministries (p41)<\/span>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How would you feel if you were given a prayer shawl and told that you church family had prayed over it?<\/span><strong>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong> The church in <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=4694\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">La Palmilla<\/span><\/a> Mexico, the children we&#8217;re sponsoring, and this weekend&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=8885\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Breakfast<\/span><\/a> and yard sale.\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">All the Good You Can (p43)<\/span>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 How does the call to generosity affect your view on whether or not your income is high enough?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> The families who attend tonight&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=13300\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Trunk or Treat<\/span><\/a>.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">First Things First (p45)<\/span>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 What makes you truly happy?\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> Today&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=28\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">worship service<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=8837\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">anniversary<\/span><\/a> celebration.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left --><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>WEEK 3: 10\/30 - 11\/5<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'><div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tMonday 10\/30\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tTuesday 10\/31\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tWednesday 11\/1\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tThursday 11\/2\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tFriday 11\/3\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tSaturday 11\/4\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tSunday 11\/5\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">The Joy of Giving (p51)<\/span><\/strong>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong> Do you feel the joy of being &#8220;blessed to be a blessing&#8221;, or are you just feeling guilty for not giving enough?\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=7372\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Hooks &#8216;n Needles, Scrappy Quilters<\/span><\/a>, and those who receive their prayer shawls, blankets, and cancer hats.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Aligned with God&#8217;s Purposes (p53)<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong> What&#8217;s the largest gift you have ever given? How did it make you feel?\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> Tonight&#8217;s <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=122\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bible Studies<\/a><\/span> and Small group meetings.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">How Much do We Need? (p55)<\/span><\/strong>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span> <\/strong>Are your possessions or fears about being in need setting your priorities?\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span> <\/strong>The <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=117\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Our Father&#8217;s House<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=4502\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Book Fair<\/span><\/a>.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">I Have Learned to be Content (p58)<\/span><\/strong>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 What causes you to feel content?\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 The Adult <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=120\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sunday School <\/a><\/span>class (called &#8220;Potter&#8217;s Hand&#8221;).\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">The God-Related Life (p61)<\/span><\/strong>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0How does your generosity (or lack thereof) affect your relationship to God?\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 The ministries of the <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=145\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">United Methodist Women<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?cat=26\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Men&#8217;s Fellowship<\/span><\/a> groups.\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Tithing is a Life Choice (p63)<\/span><\/strong>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong> Have you tried the practice of giving 10% of your income to God?\u00a0 If not,why not?\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> For the overseas missionaries that we support (such as <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=551\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">John &amp; Diasa Abromovich<\/span><\/a>, \u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=553\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Joy Phillips<\/span><\/a>, and\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=582\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Jim &amp; Alice Verderhoof<\/span><\/a> )\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Practicing Generosity (p65)<\/span><\/strong>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 What obstacles prevent you from &#8220;giving extravagantly&#8221; to God?\n <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> For all of the <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=155\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Scouting <\/span><\/a>Groups who meet in our church.\u00a0 For the leaders who volunteer so much of their time.\n <\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left --><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class='et-learn-more et-open clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more open'>WEEK 4: 11\/6 - 11\/12<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'><div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tMonday 11\/6\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tTuesday 11\/7\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tWednesday 11\/8\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tThursday 11\/9\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tFriday 11\/10\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tSaturday 11\/11\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tSunday 11\/12\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">There is Always a Way (p71)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 Where do you want to be in your relationship with God?\u00a0 What practices are you developing NOW that will get you there?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> For <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=12078\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Parents Anonymous<\/span><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=181\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">NAMI<\/span><\/a>, and other support groups that meet in our church&#8217;s chapel.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Teaching the Tithe (p74)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong> What comes to mind when you hear the word &#8220;Tithe&#8221;?\u00a0 Do those thoughts improve or hinder your spiritual growth?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> For the people who will visit our Fellowship Hall to <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=7770\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">vote<\/span><\/a> in today&#8217;s election.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Through God&#8217;s Eyes (p77)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong> How does your current perspective of &#8220;owning stuff&#8221; affect your perspective of who God is?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=140\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BLAST<\/a><\/span> (our Youth Fellowship).\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">The Old Life and the New Life (p80)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 When you drop your envelope into the plate on Sunday, how much planning and praying was behind your decision on how much to give?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong> The <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=166\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">choirs <\/a><\/span>and their preparations for the upcoming <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=9402\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Christmas Cantata<\/span><\/a>: &#8220;The Messiah&#8221;.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">One of My Own (p83)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong> Do you remember any generous acts of others?\u00a0 How might their actions affect your own giving?\u00a0 How might your giving influence your own children and the youth of our church?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 Our <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=120\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sunday School<\/a><\/span>; the teachers and the kids.\u00a0\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Generous Congregations (p85)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 In what ways does PUMC\u00a0 demonstrate generosity?\u00a0 Are you part of that demonstration?<\/p>\n<p>Prayer Concern: The <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?page_id=771\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pitman Food Pantry<\/a><\/span>.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\t<strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Delight (p88)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Question:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 How does giving make you feel? Do these feelings want you to become more generous or less generous?<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Prayer Concern:<\/span><\/strong> The people of Pitman and beyond who are affected by the <a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?cat=15\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ministries<\/span><\/a> of Pitman United Methodist Church. For the Holy Spirit&#8217;s continued guidance on how we implement and support these ministries.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p>What do YOU think?\u00a0 As you read this devotional (or if you only follow the above questions and prayer prompts without reading the book), what&#8217;s your reaction to today&#8217;s reading?\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This website is actually a BLOG!\u00a0 So, feel free to leave a comment below and share your thoughts on these devotions.<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-info'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When you post your comment the system will ask you to enter an email address and a name. A couple of things to note: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The email address won&#8217;t be published.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The name you enter will be published, but feel free to use only your first name (or even a nickname)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Each comment is subject to moderation, and it will be published only if it constructively adds to the conversation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">NOTE:\u00a0 <em>Please begin your comment by typing in the day and date of the devotion or question that you&#8217;re talking about \n For example: <\/em><strong>MONDAY 10\/16<\/strong><em>.\u00a0 If you&#8217;re not responding on the date listed above, please use the date the article\/question is listed under (not the today&#8217;s date).\u00a0 Thanks!<\/em> <\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Unity.\u00a0 Pulling together to be of one heart and one purpose.\u00a0 In our church, that purpose is to glorify our Creator-God and to help Him build His Kingdom.\u00a0 Our goal is to become more like Christ in every facet of our lives. One of the attributes of God is that He is generous&#8230; REALLY generous.\u00a0 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":16300,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,14],"tags":[96,81],"class_list":["post-16294","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-godprints","category-worship","tag-devotion","tag-giveserve"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16294"}],"version-history":[{"count":78,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16294\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16496,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16294\/revisions\/16496"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16300"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}