Give

Our prayer book reminds us that the duty of all Christians is “to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God.”

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Giving money

We hope that as you become part of God's people at St. Paul's, you will be moved to make a financial pledge towards building Christ's ministry in this place at this time.  Some people strive for the Biblical precedent of giving a "tithe", a pledge of 10% of their income, but is important that you give prayerful consideration of what you have and be realistic in your assessment of the amount appropriate for your circumstances.  Whatever you determine will be "enough," because God's kingdom is abundant.  The details of individual pledges are kept in strict confidence; only you, God, the treasurer, and the rector will know.

Your pledge to give a specific amount of money in regular installments over a one-year period makes it possible for the vestry to devise a budget that will support St. Paul's various ministries over the course of the year.  It also offers you the opportunity to consider how you can be a good steward of all the blessings you have received.

Giving, however, is about far more than money; it is a matter of the heart, just as faith is.

Giving more than money

Of course St. Paul's wants you to give money! But we participate more fully in the abundance of God's love and grace when we give away our selves as well as our money.

Remember Christ's call for us to care for the poor by donating to the Outreach Sunday basket on the last Sunday of each month. Join the quarterly discussion at the Outreach table during coffee fellowship to help decide which organizations will receive our donations.  Help fill Christmas gift bags for local students in need. Remember the outcast by bringing your upopened travel toiletries for use by local shelters.  These small acts of giving become sacramental as they become outward signs of our intention to be Christ's presence for others in our community and around the world.

Give.  Give casseroles and shampoo and bequests in your will.  Give your time, your energy, your heart.  Give of yourself, just as Jesus did, and help God's kingdom come, here, now, in this place, and in our lives.