Birthdays/WNL KOW/UTH/Marriage Course UMM Stew Sale/Urban Ministries Prayer Shawl/Angel Basketball IHN/Trick or Treat for UNICEF 2012 Family Fall Festival Wheels 4 Hope/Bull City Stand Down Light The Night Sunday Worship/Drive Thru Prayer Music Ministry Halloween Helper Haiti Hoedown Trustee Corner Media Update/Acolyte Training Altar Guild, Trustee & Nursery Financial Updates/Acolyte Schedule Lay Assistants Schedule
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Connecting Knowing Loving Growing
United Methodist Church October 2012 Issue
Experience
“Why I Give to My Church” Aldersgate has been a church that gives for a long time. It is in our DNA. We give our time, our talents, and our tithes. This is an active church, a doing church. And we ask you to support its ministries every single week. Every week there is a request for something, even beyond the offering plate. It might be food for Urban Ministries, DVD’s for the Interfaith Hospitality Network, or money for a mission trip fund-raiser. We collect and distribute. This is who we are. Sometimes we give to the collective good, as we do with our tithes and offerings. And sometimes we give as we choose to direct the gift. For instance, each individual will decide whether or not to support a particular fund-raiser that the church is sponsoring. I don’t know why you give. And I don’t know what you give. That’s all between you and God. But I’m glad you give because I believe in the work of the church and the causes we support. I also recognize the fruit of our labor. But, here’s the thing. If I saw less fruit (and who am I to judge, anyway?) or if I had a quarrel over the church budget (and sometimes I do) I would still give the same. Let me explain…
I give because God gave me everything that I am and have, and I want to give back. I want to say “Thank You.” I look at it as my response-ability. I am able to respond to what God has done for me. God saved me through His Son, Jesus Christ; and invited me to be a part of the Body of Christ. How can I say, “No”? I am thrilled to be part of something bigger than me. I am humbled that God wants to use me and my gifts for His purposes. Other people give for other reasons. That’s fine. While I do think it takes discipline, I don’t want to give out of compulsion or guilt. I’ve even heard people say they give because they believe that God will give them more in return. That seems a little selfish to me. I want to be someone who gives out of gratitude. I want to be someone who gives out of generosity. I want to give without expecting anything else in return. I want to be gracious. I’m not completely there yet. I am tempted to want to use money set aside for God for other purposes. But Tara and I have maintained our discipline of tithing, and through that practice I think I’ve started to grow just a little in gratitude, generosity, and grace. Peace Be With You, Pastor Doug
“I want to say “Thank You.” I look at it as my response-ability.” Rev. Doug Lain 1