Good Morning. Today is a very special day at St. James. Fifty people relied on faith in order to be part of this year's spring Stewardship program, The Mystery Assignment. The encouraging thing about it all is each one who volunteered did so without knowing the first thing about the assignment. They didn't know if they would be too busy, ill-equipped or too unfamiliar with "stewardship "to effectively take on the assignment. They simply volunteered, based on faith. (And maybe from a little persuasion by yours truly.) But here's the incredible thing; not only did they not know the assignment, but when you add the fact that this is a "stewardship assignment", that alone shows that we as a parish have come a long way regarding our stewardship ministry.

Now, I know you're all asking yourselves: What IS The Mystery Assignment? Well, to start, I can tell you foremost, the Mystery Assignment is about a journey. It is a journey, that will lead us all into an ever deeper, loving relationship with God.

This Mystery Assignment is about people. God's people. His children,…our brothers and sisters …in Christ, who so just happen to be a little less fortunate.

This Mystery Assignment is also about a place - A dimension, if you will, in our Christian lives, where very few of us ever enter. But, it is a place, where I believe, once you are there, you will never want to leave. Sound intriguing? It is.

To begin, if those who are participating in The Mystery Assignment would please make your way down the center isle - Deidre has a gift for you. and once you receive your gift, please make your way back to your seats by using the perimeter isle on the side where you sitting.

The first thing you get for signing up for The Mystery Assignment is a crisp, new $100 bill (which, by the way, was donated by a few parishioners, specifically for this assignment.)

So, now you have $100 of God's money. The question is, what are you suppose to do with it? That's the Mystery in the Assignment!

The Mystery Assignment has three caveats:c First, you must recognize that the money you hold in your hand belongs to God. It's God's money. Just like every thing else you own, possess or love, This money belongs to God.

Secondly, you are to take this money, and use it and invest it in a way that you feel will further the advancement of God's Kingdom. And during your journey, you, with God's help, may even find a way to increase it "ten-fold", or more, allowing you to do even grander things under God's guidance. .

Thirdly, you must return to the 10:30 service on Sunday, May 18th to share your experience and the results of your Investment.

Now, I'm willing to bet you are sitting there thinking, "What in the world is he talking about?" "What does he mean invest it to "further the advancement of God's Kingdom?"

Understandably, you probably have no idea where to begin. And quite frankly, you may not know tomorrow either. Or the next day, or the next week, or next month for that matter. But I assure you, before the assignment is over, you will know. Because God will tell you.

For starters, begin talking to family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers. Tell them about your assignment - "The Kingdom Assignment!" Ask them for their ideas and their help. You might just be surprised (and motivated) by the enthusiasm of others.

Next, and most importantly, Pray. Pray throughout your journey. Pray to God and ask Him for direction and guidance. Ask Him to help you determine where the best place is to invest His money.

Through prayer, you may find that you are to buy food for the hungry, provide shelter for the exposed, donate clothing, medicine or other much needed items for those less fortunate. Or, you may simply decide to hand it over to someone who's homeless or just donating it to a worthy cause.

What ever the case may be, let God guide you in your decision. Just ask Him. He will tell you. He will lead you to those with the greatest needs. All you have to do is ask Him, then listen.

Initially, this assignment may sound like a lot of work. But as I told many of you when you signed up, you can put as much or as little time into this assignment as you wish. It is totally up to you. But my hope is that each one of you will accept this assignment with such deep and abiding faith, that you will take the time and apply the effort necessary to make your Mystery Assignment journey truly worthwhile.

But in order to do so, It may take extra effort and prayerful consideration. It also requires that we venture out from behind our "walls of abundance", leave our comfort zone -- so to speak -- and no longer, from a distance, give to the "unknown". You see, I believe, the secret to this whole stewardship "phenomenon" lies within our direct and personal connection with those whom we help.

In your journey, make it a point to know who they are. Meet your brothers and sisters. Know their names. Look at their faces, look into their eyes. See what they see, Feel what they feel. Get to know them well enough, to know that they are no different than you or me - just a little less fortunate. Like the man featured in the story inside your Mystery Assignment brochure you received this morning, Get to know Daniel. It makes all the difference.

In a time when concern, fear and uncertainty is the prevalent mood, even the suggestion that there are still some enduring truths is considered suspect. Those of us who do affirm and practice Christianity, know that our spiritual faith waivers from time to time.

But we, as God's children, are equipped with yet another fabulous gift; the ability to still find reason to believe that there persists in almost every one of us a longing for something reliable, something dependable. Not so much as an anchor, but more of a compass. A sense of guidance and direction. Christian stewardship provides that reliability.

No matter how much your investment turns into or the number of people that you help during your journey, if you will let God guide you, give you direction, I assure you, you will come away from this assignment with more in your hearts than your investment will ever make.

Lastly, I would like to invite the congregation, our entire parish family, to share in this assignment. Pray that we all reach this new dimension in our Christian faith and spirituality. Please pray for the success of this assignment. And, while doing so, you may feel compelled to participate as well. If so, I am sure any one of us would be more than happy to have you as part of our assignment. Just ask.

If we will come together as a parish, and embrace the principles behind The Mystery Assignment, with deep, abiding faith, not only will each of us receive something far more valuable than that which we give away, but I am convinced, it will change our lives and the lives of countless others around us forever.

Thank you.

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH
301 Piney Mountain Road
Greenville, SC 29609-3035
(864) 244-6358