Money, Money, Money ...

It’s that time again! October is that time of the year when the church’s attention seems to be focused on one opportunity after the next for you to contribute generously. We live in a culture that celebrates greed, but the church asks you to celebrate generosity. The church asks you to take pleasure in all you can give instead of all you can get. It’s frankly not your money that the church asks for, it’s your commitment. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also!” (Luke 12:34). Christ asks us to put our hearts into his ministry.

The first Sunday in October is World Communion Sunday. Churches around the world have participated in this ecumenical observance since 1936, remembering our unity with all Christians at the Communion Table. As we pray for peace in our war torn world and lament with those who suffer, we will be taking our annual Peacemaking Offering. This is an offering for the entire Presbyterian Church USA. As you have read in the bulletin inserts for the last few weeks, your contributions will support peacemaking efforts around the world—from planting trees in Bethlehem to caring for AIDS orphans in Africa. 25% of the money stays here in this congregation for us to decide what we might do to encourage peace in our community.

Write a check that will make a difference.

On the other Sundays in October, you will find a small gift bag in each of the pews. Our Mission team has asked that you contribute a nickel—five pennies—for every meal that each member of your family eats this month. It will help your family to remember people who are hungry if you will put a dish on your table or your kitchen counter and actually put those nickels in each time anyone eats. This small amount will make a big difference when the Holiday Coalition puts together Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for the needy here in Loudoun County.

Bring in your nickels.

Oh yes, and on several Sundays the young people in the congregation will have pledge sheets asking you to support the CROP Walk on October 27. They will be walking through western Loudoun County in support of Interfaith Relief. Support their efforts generously.

And, of course, it’s that time of the year when we ask you to make a pledge for the 2008 budget of LPC. I know that pledging for the future is a leap of faith, but it is one of the signs of the health of a congregation that a potential pastor will be looking at as your Pastor Nominating Committee interviews candidates in the nest few months. Can they afford the upkeep on the old building? Do they want to expand their programming? Is this a congregation that has the resources to do meaningful ministry in this place?

You will be receiving a letter from the Stewardship Committee very soon. Please consider it carefully. Please pray about it. Please bring your pledge card to church with you on October 28. Let’s celebrate Reformation Day with a renewed commitment to the Ever-Reforming faith of God’s people in this place. May our Fall Festival truly be a celebration of generosity and commitment. For where your treasure is…..

                                                                     - Diane