Dear Church Family,

John 1:16-17 states, “Out of his fullness we have all received grace upon grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came though Jesus Christ.” Grace – undeserved love, freely given by God to each one of us through Jesus Christ. We live and move and have our being because of God’s grace. All that we have doesn’t simply come because we work hard; it comes by the grace and love of God extended to us. And that grace should lead us to a sense of gratitude, that God cares about us, that God provides for us, that God doesn’t abandon us despite our sin or failings to be faithful to him. He is faithful to us even when we are unfaithful towards him. That’s grace!

When we understand God’s grace rightly, it leads us to a genuine sense of gratitude shown forth in the ways in which we live and respond in faith. In the church we talk about “stewardship,” being entrusted by God with what he’s given to us, and using what we have to show our love for God and our neighbors. We know that God gives freely and, in his giving, there’s an expectation that we give as we have been given to. We are called to be a blessing to others as we give of our time, our talents, and of our resources.

Over the next three weeks we will explore this theme of “Grace, Gratitude, and Generosity” 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 first 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 with this letter. Our 2024 ask budget seeks to move forward in faith to continue the wonderful ministry we’ve been doing. Our budget addresses both the growth of ministry, as well as the needs of our building. We have a vibrant children’s and youth ministry, and with growth comes the need to support that growth as programming costs increase. We are blessed to have a building to worship and serve God, but over time things break; HVAC units need to be repaired or replaced to provide adequate heat and air. We’ve had an increase of building repairs that must be addressed. We are also a church that embraces God’s grace and longs to share that grace as we give to and participate in local and global ministries through mission. God calls us to care not just for ourselves, but also for the neighbors around us. Our ask budget addresses that too. Together we are called to contribute in ways that are faithful to the abundant blessings we’ve received from God.

As we generously respond in gratitude, 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 can be good stewards of the church building, ensuring that ministry continues unhindered. 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 God’s grace in your life. How do you show your gratitude towards God? How can you respond with gratitude this stewardship season? Sisters and brothers in Christ, I challenge you to consider how you can contribute to God’s work in 2024 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 2024 pledge card. Prayerfully consider how God is leading you to respond. We will present our pledges to God in worship on Sunday, October 15. 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, or you may also make your pledge 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 give in ways that gives glory to God for his grace and generosity in our lives!

 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jeff