Give
Living our values…
There’s an old saying that you can know someone’s heart by looking at their checkbook and calendar. “But,” we argue, “there are so many demands on our time and resources!” Still, there’s something to it: our lives matter, our choices matter, and it matters how we spend our money and our time. What we give ourselves is the best indication of what we love. That there are many distractions and temptations is what makes purposeful reflection so necessary. It’s important to stop and ask, “Are we giving ourselves to the things we most love?”
As members of First Church, we are caretakers of our faith, our values, and our church. There are many ways stewardship finds expression here—we teach, we care for the building and grounds, we offer comfort and welcome, we speak out against injustice and stand with those in need, and we give what we can to sustain this vibrant community. We affirm our financial stewardship each week when we say, “We have been greatly blessed. Now let us give generously that others might be blessed by the work of this church.” Our support is both an act of gratitude and an act of transformation. Together, we are building a community that calls us to deeper, more intentional, joyful, and just lives. And that, truly, is an act of love.