Stewardship
Chasing the Offering Plate
2013 Annual Operating Fund Campaign
Click here to read our 2013 Annual Operating Fund Campaign Brochure.
Click here to safely and securely complete your Online Pledge Card.
On October 7, the Annual Operating Fund Campaign kicked off and we asked each of our members to make a financial commitment to support the ministries of SMPC in 2013. The message of stewardship and our theme for this year, Chasing the Offering Plate, is perfectly illustrated through an event that occurred at a SMPC service earlier this year.
It was time for the offering and the ushers were just beginning to move up and down the aisles. One of the ushers had completed a section of pews and moved to the next, when a young man got up out of his pew, walked forward toward the pulpit, walked across the front row of pews near the chancel and then walked back down the aisle towards the usher. At first, it wasn’t clear what he was doing (as Presbyterians…we typically don’t leave our seats during the service unless directed!). However, it became apparent that the young man had missed the offering plate and wanted to make his gift. At this point, the offering plate was at the far side of the pew. The usher stuck out his hand to receive this boy’s gift but the young man shook his head no. He stood there, and patiently waited until the offering plate came back across the pew and he then placed his gift directly into the plate.
Now, he could have decided not to make a contribution. He could have decided to give the next week. He could have waited until the service was over and then given his gift to the usher. Instead, he stood up, walked to the front, walked over, waited and then he placed his gift in the offering plate. It may seem insignificant, but it was important to him that his gift be received; important that he put it in the offering plate. He had something to give. He was Chasing the Offering Plate.
We all have many gifts such as our home, our family, our job and our time on this earth and we as Christians believe that every one of these gifts comes from God. God is not asking us to give all of these back; just a portion of what we have been bestowed. The decision on how much to give is not easy as we each have many competing priorities, however, we each should remember that everything we hold dear in our life ultimately comes from God.
During the next few weeks, first reflect on the good works you see happening here every day at SMPC. Then, imagine the good works you don’t see, but that you know are happening every day and night in our community of faith. These things cannot happen without your pledge. You have made a conscious decision to join the SMPC family. Please make another decision to joyfully support our collective efforts. Your pledge does matter!!
Will you Chase the Offering Plate?
You may pick up your 2013 Operating Fund Campaign Pledge Packet at the church through October 21, 2012 (after that date they will be mailed out—please help us save on postage!). You may make your financial commitment by returning your pledge card to the church, by pledging online, or simply by sending an email to Mary Katheryne Zagora (mkzagora@smpchome.org). We are asking all of our members to make their pledge by November 4, 2012, Commitment Sunday.
Please prayerfully consider how you will support the ministries of SMPC in 2013.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact either Rich Fuller, Stewardship Committee Co-Chair, at rjfuller@carolina.rr.com, Adrienne Jaquith, Stewardship Committee Co-Chair, at red_ae@hotmail.com, or Mary Katheryne Zagora, Financial Administrator, at mkzagora@smpchome.org .
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