2023 Commitment

“We are a family of faith Called to…

Grow in the love of Christ, Share that Good News, and Serve the world.”

 
Dear Church Family,

Matthew 6:19-21 states, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Jesus teaches us that success is not defined by how much money we make, what we own, or how much we can get in life.  Instead, he directs us to store up the right things, not on earth, but in heaven.  In other words, Jesus calls us to be responsible with what we have and to reflect on how much we really need and how we can help those who need the most.  

Jesus speaks more in the gospels about what we do with our money and our possessions than anything else he teaches about.  He knows that we can be blinded by having things and that our possessions can ultimately possess us.  Rather than making an idol of our possessions, we are called to see them as a blessing from God – an abundance that should be used in ways that look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others.  How much is enough?  How much do we really need to have, and how much should we share to care for the needy among us?

Over the next three weeks we will explore this theme of “Enough” as we are challenged by God’s word to faithfully respond in joy.  As the church we give of our finances, our time and of our talents to serve the Lord in faithfulness.  We give because Christ gave and continues to give.  Jesus reminds us in John 13:15, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  Our giving bears witness to the good news of Jesus Christ as we live out his mission to share the grace and love we’ve received in our lives with those in our community and in our world. 

The Session has approved an ask budget that is included in this packet.  Our 2022 budget revived our previous budget before Covid took place when we were forced to cut back our ministry spending.  Our 2023 ask budget seeks to move forward in faith to continue the ministry we’ve been doing, but also to cover increases in expenditures due to the inflation we’ve experienced this year.  Together we are called to contribute in ways that are faithful to the abundant blessings we’ve received from God. 

As we respond in faith, I encourage you to prayerfully consider how you can contribute to the ongoing work of the church – Christ’s ministry at FPC Boone.  Our collective gifts of time, talent, and treasure not only present our offerings to God, but they also show forth our complete trust in him as well.   

Together we can continue to minister to our members and guests through education, worship, fellowship, care, and mission.  We are also able to reach beyond ourselves by providing for the needs of the most vulnerable in our local community, and across the world, as we love our neighbors as ourselves.  I invite you to prayerfully reflect on, “How much is enough?”  Brothers and sisters in Christ, I challenge you to consider how you can contribute to God’s work in 2023 in two specific ways:

  1. To make a commitment to serve God with your time, and talents, and
  2. To make a pledge to give of your financial resources, so that our operating budget may continue to support the mission of the church.

Below you will find a link for a printable version of the 2023 pledge card.  Prayerfully consider how God is leading you to respond for 2023.  We will present our pledges to God in worship on Sunday, October 16.  If you attend the service, feel free to bring your pledge forward as directed and place it in the offering plate.  If you are unable to join us in person, you may submit your pledge by mail to:  First Presbyterian Church, 131 Big Valley Street, Boone, NC 28607. Or, you may also make your pledge online using the PLEDGE button below. Our Finance and Stewardship Committee kindly asks that you submit your pledges by the end of October so that they may plan and work with the Session to adopt a budget for next year.  Friends, may we show our trust in God in the ways that we give of ourselves together! 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jeff

 

Called to GROW, SHARE, SERVE!