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Weekly Devotional

October 15, 2012

God’s Peace be with you all.

1 Corinthians 3:21 - 4:2   ²¹ So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours,  ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future-- all belong to you,  ²³ and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. ^NRS 1 Corinthians 4:1 Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries.  ² Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.

Later today I will email out the pledge card for Stewardship Sunday, which is next Sunday.  Please be in prayer this week about your financial pledge for 2013.  As I mentioned yesterday, completing pledge cards helps your council to prepare a budget for the next year.  We will have cards at church next Sunday.  If you are unable to make it, please feel free to fill out this card and send it to Mary Lou at the church’s address ( P.O. Box 161000 Boiling Springs, 29316).

Next year will be a crucial year for us, as we seek to continue in our growth and giving so that we will be financially secure.  This year we have made some tremendous gains.  We have welcomed 19 individuals into our congregation.  Our attendance on average is the highest it has ever been (+9 per week over last year).  Our giving has increased significantly.  However, we continue to eat away at our savings. 

I know that we are still in a bad economy, and that for many of you things have not returned to where they used to be.  Therefore it is hard for me as your pastor, or for any member of council for that matter, to ask that you raise your giving.  Yet we must still ask that, as well as ask you to keep on doing what you are doing.  Your friendliness is unmatched in any congregation that I have seen.  Your willingness to step out on a limb is unmatched.  Your commitment is unmatched.  So I ask that you keep being who you are.  When I came to this congregation over five years ago, I saw a congregation that was searching for an identity.  You have found your identity, and it is apparent as we continue to grow.  God is indeed up to something very good here!

As you pray this week, ask for the Spirit’s guidance.  The Spirit will help you to discern your contributions (both financially and otherwise) to SoG so that we can make sure this congregation continues to last for not only another 11 years, but for many years after that. 

In our prayers this week:  Ann, Charles, Gere, Jim A., Jerry V., Mike C.

God’s Peace,