Commitment to Christ: Financial Giving

Good Afternoon Church and Online Community!

Well, it is here, Hurricane Sandy. The winds are gently beginning to pick up and the rain has been coming down all day. It's odd that we here in Western Pennsylvania can be hit with such magnitude of a storm. It is my prayer that all are safe and that no more lives are lost to this horrific storm. Be safe everyone. Pray for our national guard, and all of our first responders, EMS, Fire and Police. I am posting the following from our Western PA UMC:

Preparation Alert for Western Pennsylvania United Methodists
Early Response Teams; If needed, teams of individuals who have completed early response training will be formed to respond within and outside of the Conference when the time is right. Rick Nelson and Calvin Cook, Conference disaster response coordinators, will communicate through Volunteers in Mission coordinator Diane Miller with those people who have completed Early Response Team training. 

If you have been trained, now is the time to prepare, to let Rick know of your availability in the next month, and to wait for further word. Rick Nelson cell phone: 724-651-6155.

In some circumstances, Nelson said other disaster response volunteers may be called on.
Our Disaster Response Coordinators are connected to the Red Cross and other groups that will be responding. We will use email as our primary means of communication. As the storm develops check your email regularly for how you might plug in as a volunteer.

Diane Miller
Mission/VIM Coordinator
Western Pennsylvania Conference
United Methodist Church
140 Boone's Way
Kennerdell, PA  16374
814-498-2308 (o)
diane.miller@wpaumc.org

If you were with us yesterday at church, we celebrated another Sunday of our Commitment to Christ. This Sunday's focus centered upon Financial Giving. I'd like to thank Boyd and Sharon Brewer for their story as they shared with both worship services their joy of giving. I'd also like to thank Jill Todd for a profound reading on Extravagant Generosity by Bishop Schnase.

In Schnase's Book, "The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations," we read the following: "People who give generously to the church do so because they genuinely desire to make a positive difference for the purposes of Christ and because they want to align their lives with higher purposes. They give in response to the Spirit's urging and feel a soul-sustaining satisfaction in the sense of meaning and connection that comes with generosity."

My wife, Jennifer and I do not give under compulsion, but we tithe because we receive a soul-sustaining satisfaction that God is doing great things through the ministries of this church to the community and to the world. Our vision is loving people, loving God! When we claim the vision and can see it and dream it, then through our giving and God blessing that cheerful heart of giving, we see ministry blossom and flourish!

I am praying for you this week as you will receive a letter from our stewardship team. May you prayerfully discern where God is calling you regarding extravagant generosity. We will bring our commitment cards to worship this Sunday, November 4 and will celebrate the many things that God is doing in our life as the church here at Christ Community! Thank you for your prayerful discernment.

Last night our youth hosted Trunk or Treat! We had families from our community join us for a night of fun! Thanks to Cherie and the youth for leading such a great night! All the canned goods will go to New Hope Soup Kitchen, on the Northside of Pittsburgh.

A night of fun in Oz Hall with the Youth and Kids! 

Butler Dad made a special appearance! His hair grew too! 

Have a blessed week church and be safe. It is a honor to serve and lead as your pastor.