Estimate of Giving Cards
A Day to Respond
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
~2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV
Dear Members and Friends of West County Lutheran Church:
You are by now surely aware that Sunday, October 23, is Generosity Sunday for our congregation. I believe that you have sufficient concern for your spiritual growth and the mission and ministries of our congregation to attend that day and share in hearing about the vision of the congregation and participate in an opportunity to turn in an Estimate of Giving Card as an act of worship that day.
We have come a long way as a congregation and we have some specific opportunities coming up in the near future.
The focus of good stewardship, Time, Talent, and Treasure, is on the need of the giver to give. We are made in God’s image. God is first, and foremost, a God of generosity and grace. Our giving through whatever local church we are members of, reflects in part, our understanding of who we are because of who God is and what he has done for us. Our tangible support of time, ability, and money makes it possible for others to hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus as we have.
On Sunday, October 23, everyone will be given a card with an envelope. During worship, when the offering prayer is usually said, we will be given the opportunity to come forward and place Estimate of Giving cards (in envelopes) on the altar. While it is true that some people experience discomfort writing down such a commitment, the truth is, people have a better record of consistent giving when they do so.
Still, if you choose not to fill out a card, one option is to simply write your family name on the card, place it in the envelope and leave it blank. You can still come forward and, at the altar, make whatever silent commitment you want to make with the Lord without standing out from the crowd. This will also save us from troubling you with a card later on since we would then have a record of your intent.
Making public commitments in tangible ways, such as with an Estimate of Giving card, unites us together as we follow our Lord into the mission field of the Greater St. Louis area. Prior to Sunday, October 23, please be in prayer about what sacrificial amount you are willing to give for the Lord’s work through this congregation.
Some households will need to have more than one conversation in order to decide what amount constitutes a first-fruits, sacrificial, gift. This is a conversation that Julia and I have every year about this time. It has become a positive and prayer-filled conversation over the years. When it comes to money, we have always tithed, at minimum, to whatever congregation we serve. We believe in leading by example.
Where ever you are in your stewardship journey, please know that the Lord is honored by cheerful, freely given, time, talent, and financial resources. Our goal is to have every member and regular worship attendee present for this important celebration.
See you in the mission field+
Pastor Mark
0 Comments