THE GOOD NEWS
Our Stewardship and Finance Committee will again be using the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to focus on the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this fall.
We are excited about this program. The four-week emphasis will help us understand our need to give to a generous and merciful God. Our stewardship campaign will not highlight the church budget or its bills. Rather, we will think of our financial giving as a spiritual discipline, supporting our church's mission and ministry with a gift that reflects a percentage of our income.
Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate and regular giving in response to this question: "What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?"
During morning worship on Consecration Sunday, November 23, we are asking our members and friends to make their financial commitments to our church's mission and ministry in this community and around the world. (on that day we are only focusing on our regular offerings, not our "second mile" giving toward our New Building Fund.)
Everyone who completes an Estimate of Giving Card will do so voluntarily during worship on November 23rd. We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. During morning worship our Guest Leader, United Methodist Elder Rev. Dan Facemyer, will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making their commitments as a confidential act of worship.
We urge people to attend, even if they feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The service is designed to avoid any personal embarrassment if someone chooses not to fill-out a card.
Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday on November 23.
Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation. God is good, all the time.
Peace,
Pastor Steve
by Pastor Steve Good
