Our church approaches financial stewardship from a biblical perspective, viewing the monetary gifts you offer to the church not merely as a way to pay the bills but rather as a way to grow spiritually in your relationship with God by supporting our church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of your income.
For our annual stewardship emphasis, we have chosen the theme “All In.” We’re at a critical point in growing our ministries here and are praying for a successful pledging season in 2025. To reinforce the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving, we have selected the Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program. We will challenge one another to be “All In” through our giving to God’s work at First UMC of Florence.
Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of our need to give for further spiritual development rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who pay dues, we treat you like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, “What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?”
During one worship service on Sunday, November 17th, at 11:00 a.m., we will ask you to commit financially to our church’s missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and worldwide. In addition, we have a challenge gift of $111,000 to our Building Fund, where the donors challenge others to match their gift collectively—either through second-mile giving above their pledges or directing a Required Minimum Distribution from their retirement funds.
You will be asked to complete an Estimate of Giving Card. This is a voluntary act in which you will decide how to respond to God’s call to invest in the kingdom of God. We carry out the procedure so that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card. We don’t “guilt” people into pledging because we prefer willing and joyful giving.
We do not conduct home solicitations to ask people to complete cards, so it is helpful to have as many people present during worship as possible. Our guest preacher, Bishop William McAlilly, a fantastic speaker, will offer instruction and inspiration, culminating in each of us making our commitments as a confidential act of worship.
Following worship, we will share a free meal in McDowell Hall to celebrate your faithfulness in giving.
Thank you in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Consecration Sunday events. Remember to invite your friends to worship this week!
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