A Reflection on the 2026 Stewardship Theme

Someone once said there are only two prayers: please and thank you. Please comes before God’s generosity; thank you is our response to it.

The Christian story is, at its heart, the story of a God whose love knows no limit—a Creator so moved by love, so filled with grace, and so eager for relationship that there is no end to God’s willingness to give. The whole narrative of Scripture is saturated with divine generosity. “God so loved the world that God gave…” (John 3:16).

If we were to list God’s gifts in a litany of thanksgiving, we might conclude that give is the Bible’s most important verb. God gives life and breath, forgiveness and mercy, community and purpose. God gives God’s very self in Christ.

So the question for us becomes: How will we use all that God has given us to participate in God’s generosity?

True stewardship is not merely about practicing generosity for God, as though we were managing divine resources on God’s behalf. It is about practicing generosity with God—joining in the ongoing work of love that God is already doing in the world.

This is the kind of generosity that grows out of gratitude. It is our “thank you” to the God who never stops saying “please”—please receive, please share, please love.

> view Stewardship Mailing Materials

Anne describes what she treasures most about St. Philip.

What do you treasure most?

Cindy shares where she has been able to use her gifts to support the ministries of St. Philip.

Where have you found opportunities to use your own gifts or talents to support the ministries or activities of St. Philip?

David recalls what made him and his wife, Nancy, decide to join St. Philip.

What inspired you to join?

Melissa describes what she loves most about St. Philip.

How would you describe the people of St. Philip?

Guy describes the ministry that has meant the most to him.

Which ministry or group at St. Philip has had the greatest impact on your life, and why?

John recalls what he and his wife, Cindy, were looking for in a church — and found at St. Philip.

What was your first experience at St. Philip?

Will describes what he likes about the community of St. Philip.

What do you find distinctive about our church community?