“We love God because God first loved us.”
Dear Caldwell,
The words above may ring a bell. We say them when we baptize infants and toddlers. Long before we can know God, God has adopted us. This is the order of our lives with God. God moves first, out of love, and we respond.
This week members and friends of Caldwell are receiving a mailing that gives an overview of Stewardship Season. This is the time of year when we count our blessings and make a promise to give back to God in the form of support for God’s church, our church, for 2020.
The theme, “Out of the Abundance of Our Hearts”, reminds us that we belong to a God of plenty and are given the chance to practice abundance in return. Abundance is as much a frame of mind as anything. We can practice abundance with our hearts and spirits, our time and talent, how we relate to friends and strangers, how we seek justice in a broken world and in our use of money.
God has certainly shown Caldwell what abundance looks like – a healthy, loving and growing congregation, our “4H” opportunities to upgrade our campus and share it with those in need and our call to offer a radical welcome to all of God’s children.
So, I hope you will take time with the information packet you will receive if you are a member or a regular friend. If you would like to receive a packet, email rrogers@caldwellpresby.org.
We have until Sunday, Oct. 27 to consider our pledge for 2020 to fund the church’s operations. On that day, we will bring our pledges and commit them to God’s use.
HOWEVER, you can make your pledge now if you prefer. Early pledges give the campaign momentum! You can click here to pledge online (please overlook the language about 2019; the link is good for 2020 pledges). ALSO, please consider signing up to give online as a draft from your bank account. It’s easier on everyone!
As I noted last Sunday, in scripture the heart represented one’s full being, one’s strength and soul. Out of gratitude, let us show God our hearts and what is in them.
Mark your calendar, by the way, for a lunch after worship this Sunday (in lieu of the Newcomers Lunch) at Caldwell and a presentation on the Biblical roots of giving and tithing in our faith.
See you then.
In Christ,
John