Yes, it is that time again when I, as a member of your Stewardship and Finance Committee, ask you to begin to think about and pray about what you can pledge to give back to the Lord.
We continue on our journey to becoming a tithing congregation. As our theme says we want to be, “Opening the Windows of Heaven…Creating an Attitude of Generosity”. (Click on this link to see and hear what an attitude of generosity looks like. Give Thanks for a Grateful Heart.)
These past two years we have been motivated by the verse from Malachi 3:10 which tells us, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse…and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” I know we have all personally witnessed these blessings from our Lord, this last year, during Sunday School or Youth Group, an Arts for the Soul concert, volunteering at Jacob’s Well, or the 40 Days of Community Groups, just to name a few.
This morning my devotional from, These Days, had me pondering the verse: If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25. The author of the devotional reminds us how Paul told us in Galatians that we can have the fruits of the Spirit all year long! The author goes on to remind us that the “fruits” are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. All these gifts and MORE come from our Lord.
As you pray about your pledge for the coming year I hope you will think about the “fruits” that our Lord has placed in “the storehouse” for you and for me. With our pledges we can keep abundantly growing these “fruits of the Spirit” in our own congregation, our own community and around the world!
As we sang in Hymn 400, last Sunday, “When we are giving, or when receiving. We belong to God. We belong to God”
Lovingly, Cindy Lloyd and the
Stewardship and Finance Committee
Opening the Windows of Heaven
We believe giving is an act of worship in which we thank God and acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God.
The Bible teaches us to give a tithe or the first ten percent of what we earn to God and God’s work. In 2009, we began our journey to become a tithing congregation by increasing our pledges by 20%. Please plan to increase your pledge by 20% or whatever God leads you as we continue the journey. This is a faithful response to God’s call and claim on our lives and resources.
We give regularly to support First Presbyterian Church’s ministries and missions.
How can I give?
Weekly worship offerings: giving during the worship offering time is an act of thanksgiving and worship. Envelopes are provided in the pews.
Mail to the church: Gifts may be mailed to First Presbyterian Church, ATTN: Finance Office, 840 S 17th St, Lincoln, NE 68508.
Gifts of Stocks and Other Securities: First Presbyterian Church welcomes your gift of stock and other securities. To arrange for the transfer of stock to First Presbyterian Church, please contact our finance office at (402) 477-6037 or finance@fpclincoln.org. Detailed instructions for transferring securities will be provided to you.
Through Paypal: Use the Donate button.
- Jacob’s Well
-
Food Bank of Lincoln
- Lincoln Benevolence Coalition
- People’s City Mission
- The Gathering Place Soup Kitchen
- BackPack Program
