Central United Methodist Church (Arlington, Virginia) Sermon Podcast
An audio podcast of the weekly message preached at Central United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia. You're invited to join us online for worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Visit us on the web at cumcballston.org to learn how to join us for worship via zoom or facebook live. You're invited to join our congregation where we worship God, serve others, and embrace all.
Central United Methodist Church (Arlington, Virginia) Sermon Podcast
Get a Base Hit: Steward Your Time and Talents
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Get a Base Hit: Steward Your Time and Talents
Series: World Series of Stewardship
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:1–4 (CEB)
Preacher: Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen
Do you ever feel like you're already stretched thin, with a full calendar, a long to-do list, and not enough time or energy to do one more thing? In this second message of our World Series of Stewardship series, Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen reminds us that God isn't asking us to hit a home run every time. Instead, we're invited to practice steady, faithful stewardship by offering what we have, right where we are.
Drawing on Paul's instructions to the church in Corinth, this sermon explores how ordinary acts of generosity and service can make a meaningful difference when we work together as the body of Christ. Just as a baseball team relies on more than spectacular home runs to win a game, the church is built through small acts of faithfulness repeated over time.
Paul's teaching offers three practical principles for stewardship: consistency, proportion, and planning. We are invited to give regularly, according to our circumstances, and with intention. These principles apply not only to our financial gifts, but also to how we steward our time, talents, energy, and presence. Whether it's making time for daily prayer, volunteering, reaching out to someone who may be lonely, or sharing our gifts with the church, every faithful act matters.
Stewardship isn't about comparison, guilt, or doing everything perfectly. It's about recognizing what we can offer in this season of life and trusting that God can use our contributions alongside those of others to accomplish something greater than any one of us could do alone.
As we look ahead to Commitment Sunday and consider our commitments for the coming year, we're invited to ask: What is one “base hit” we can make this week? Because a base hit, repeated faithfully, helps move the whole team forward—and we're never at the plate alone.
Reflection Questions:
- What time or talent do you have that could be stewarded more intentionally?
- What could you commit to doing consistently, not perfectly, but consistently?
- What is one “base hit” you could get this week?