STEWARDSHIP AND COMMITMENT 2022

What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the Lord.

—Psalm 116

PLEDGE LETTER — November 1, 2021

Dear Friends,

In his great hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Martin Luther offers this description of the spiritual perils which confront us each day:
          And though this world, with devils filled,
          Should threaten to undo us,
          We will not fear, for God hath willed
          His truth to triumph through us.

For us in the church, the past twenty months under COVID have felt, at times, like the world was indeed seeking to undo us. We were forced to cancel in-person worship and curtail church activities. But we became creative and explored new ways to worship, to serve, and to show care for one another. Fellowship meals became Take-Outs, visits to friends became Sunday Drives, we served Communion in plastic containers, Youth Group gathered virtually. There was even a period of time when our church functioned wholly online—we worshiped online, we held meetings online, we prayed online, we formed Bible studies online. Never did we falter and allow, in Luther’s words, the devils of this world to undo us. It was tough, but we persevered because of our firm belief, that like a mighty fortress, God protects us.

Although the pandemic may have knocked us around a bit, in this time we learned to draw on a deeper strength, a strength that Luther identifies in this hymn as God’s truth. For Luther, that truth is that God’s Kingdom is forever. We may suffer setbacks in this life, but God will prevail, the church will prevail, and we, as believers, will prevail.

Today, church life at FPC is slowly regaining a sense of normalcy. We are back to worshiping in-person at two services, Sunday school classes are gathering, we are active in missions, and opportunities for fellowship are increasing. So, now, at the end of 2021, it is time for us to look ahead to 2022 and make a monetary pledge to the church.

Included with this letter is the provisional budget put forth by the Session at their October meeting. This budget reflects the church’s goals and mission for the coming year. A final budget will be approved once your pledges have been collected. 2022 hinges on your commitment and generosity.

Enclosed you will find your pledge card for 2022. Pledges will be collected and dedicated on Sunday, December 5, during worship. If you cannot be present that day, please mail your pledge to the church or bring it by the office.

Lastly, I ask that you pray. Please pray as you plan your own financial commitment. Please pray for the future mission of our church. Please pray for guidance on how God may be calling you to participate in the life of the church in the coming year.

Thank you for your commitment.

    Virtual Pledge Card

    Your generous commitment will fund the 2022 budget. Please know that if your circumstances change throughout the year, your pledge/estimate of giving can be adjusted. Please enter your information below and click "Submit." Your commitment will be sent directly to our church administrator.