PRAYER
THE SPICE OF LIFE. Prayer is the language by which we communicate
with God. It is often done verbally, but is also manifest in the kind of
life we live in testimony to God. Prayer opens up our deepest longings
and communicates those to God. It also allows us to be better in tune
with God’s purposes for us. Prayer adds authenticity to our faithful
pursuits, comfort on the path of life and reveals our God to us.
THE PRAYER CHAIN is comprised of individuals committed to unite
in prayer for specific requests. Anyone can become a member of the chain
who is able to commit not only to praying but also to confidentiality of
those requests. To become a member of the chain, or to make prayer
request, call the office.
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER REQUESTS. Each worship service provides an
opportunity for worshipers to include special concerns or joys in the
pastoral prayer and for those to be included in the personal prayers of
individuals throughout the week. Your pastors include prayer requests
only with permission of the person concerned or which are announced
publically by an individual in worship.
Prayer opens the heart and soul to the wonders of God. Discover the
grace made known in prayer!
FELLOWSHIP
THE QUALITY OF LIFE. Fellowship, the enjoyment of each other’s
company and care adds to the quality of life in the church. In knowing
others and being known by them, we are better able to support,
encourage, and help each other as we grow in faith.
BY DESIGN. There are several fellowship groups that meet at the
church. These include the Ladies’ Guild for women of all ages and youth
groups for both Middle School and High School age youth. Often, there
are special events and suppers which also promote life together. Each
Sunday, a reception after worship service encourages us to become better
acquainted in an informal setting.
JUST BECAUSE THAT’S THE WAY IT WORKS. Fellowship happens in all
aspects of church involvement, by design or not! Youth develop
friendships through Sunday School, Confirmation, Church Camp, Retreats
and Bible Study. Adults get to know each other through board and
committee work, special gatherings, shared outreach endeavors and many
other ways.
Involvement means fellowship. Get involved and increase your
enjoyment of life in the community of Christ!
FINANCES AND YOUR ROLE
IT’S UP TO YOU. It is up to each member of the congregation to
contribute to financial decisions regarding the church. Each year, the
Congregation is presented with a proposed budget at the Congregational
meeting in December. The budget has been put together by the Trustees
and Congregational Council for your consideration, taking into account
projected return on investments, congregational giving, and church
needs. A budget is finalized by majority vote of the members gathered at
a duly called meeting.
FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW. Our Congregation has been blessed
by generous donors from our past who set up trust funds for the
perpetuation of the church and its programs. In total, income derived
from these funds account for approximately one-third of the budget.
Member and individual giving accounts for almost half of the budget. The
balance is provided for by various other means, including building use
fees and fund raising events.
YOUR PRAYERFUL DECISION. A vital church is one to which its
members are committed. Generosity of past donors is a blessing so long
as it does not cause the members who currently comprise the church to
suppress their fiscal expressions of devotion. Giving is a vital part of
how we express our love of God. Only you can decided how much to give to
the work of God’s church, a decision which should be made prayerfully
and with the recognition of God’s blessings in your life in mind.
WHAT IS PLEDGING? Pledging is the financial promise you make to
the church for the budget year. Some people choose not to pledge but
instead put their undesignated contribution in the offering plate.
However, pledging helps the church project its cash flow and assures us
of what we can reasonably expect throughout the year. Pledges are
solicited in the Fall of the year, independently of the budget process.
We believe giving should be based on faithful decision rather than on
the budget bottom line. However, anyone wishing to delay pledging until
after the budget meeting is certainly welcome to do so. Weekly giving
envelopes are provided for those who desire them.
WHO KNOWS? Your pledge is treated with utmost discretion. The
Office Manager is responsible for recording your pledge and tracking
your giving. A statement of your giving is provided quarterly.
Occasionally, a substitute office manager may need to record incoming
pledges. This person is always chosen with sensitivity to the
confidentiality of pledges. Beyond that, no one knows your pledge or
giving record. This includes your pastors.
Giving is a vital expression of your faith. Members have a
responsibility to contribute to the financial needs of the church. The
level at which you do that is entirely up to you, based on your personal
relationship with Jesus Christ. |
Prayer