Stewardship

“Joyful Giving” 

“As we travel, we give of ourselves along the way. We give of our time, our talent and our treasures. We give with joy, as Jesus taught. As we give, our hearts are lightened and once again, a new song pours forth.” 

- From the Faith Vision Statement

As the people of GOD we are called to give. But as Christians today, we are constantly struggling with what true giving means. Does it mean writing a check occasionally and dropping it in the offering plate or is it completing a pledge card for 10% of my income?  Is it from time to time volunteering or is it sharing my passion on a regular basis by teaching Sunday school, serving on a committee, participating in mission projects or sharing my skills with Women of Faith?

As Faith Presbyterian Church moves into the next 50 years using the guiding vision to shape its ministry, the Stewardship committee was struck by the quote above from the vision statement. The one thing that struck us all was this was easily a definition of joyful giving.

For 2010, we will explore as a committee and a congregation what joyful giving means and what we are called to be.

So, please join us along the road…

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MORE

These four letters constitute one of the most powerful words in the English language.  Very smart people stay up at night trying to figure out ways to convince us that we are-or ought to be-discontent, and that we would experience true satisfaction if we just had MORE.  All day long we are bombarded by the prophets of MORE.  "Use me, buy me, drive me, wear me, try me, put me in your hair."

Serving the "MORE monster" can never satisfy our souls.  In the short run, saying no to MORE can be difficult, even frightening.

What does it take to tame the monster of MORE?  What does it take to transform a heart from greed to generosity?  For most of us, it will not come simply by acquiring MORE knowledge, applying MORE willpower, or even by studying MORE Scripture, as important as those things are.  The MORE monster is too strong.  We need a way of training.  We need a tangible and routine way to say, "Sorry, money, you are not on the throne.  You will not be the god of my life today."

What we need, God has provided.  It's called tithing.

Stewardship is the lifestyle of discipleship. The invitation is made to all of us to offer our time, talents, and financial support to the church.  The Stewardship Committee meets monthly to help people recognize and respond to our many blessings and gifts, and to teach and live the principles of stewardship.

The Stewardship pledge drive for 2010 was truly an example of our theme that in our giving we are able in faithfulness to sustain the generations at Faith Church. Thank you for the many members and friends who committed their financial contributions to the church!

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The little blue envelopes…

You may have noticed in your box of 2010 offering envelopes the little blue one (they are also available in the pew).  This envelope is to make your per capita payment.  The per capita payment is to be paid by every member of the church, and the amount is $23.88. That means in a family where the husband and wife are both members, $43.82 is due.  In a family of two parents and one child member, the amount would be $65.73.  If you do not pledge but are a member of Faith Church a per capita payment is still needed.  To make your payment, mark your check in the memo line “per capita”.  Please do your part to support the greater church and make your per capita payment(s) today.

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