This was a year that we will never forget. It was brought to my attention that as of mid November the church has received a disappointing 30 pledges for the 2021 budget year. Think about this, when you go on vacation or leave your home for any period of time do you not have to pay your bills? It is not us but our government that is telling us that we may not meet, however, this is not just Grace Lutheran Church, this is OUR church. It is up to us to keep it running until we can meet again.
Let me give you some simple examples. Say we have 100 people and split them into two groups of 50 each. The first group pledges $30.00 each per week. That comes to a total of $78,000.00 for the year. The second group does not pledge but makes the claim that they will put $30.00 in the offering plate every Sunday. On an average every person will miss at least 6 Sundays per year. What goes in the offering plate on those 6 Sundays, you guessed it, zero. Therefore, the total for the year for the second group will be $68,640.00. Now, look what happens during the year of 2020. First group $78,000.00, second group zero, give or take.
Someone might say that they are embarrassed to put in writing that they can only afford to give $1.00 per week. That does not matter. Very few know how much you give, very few care. The people that do know how much that you give are trusted professionals and will not be gossiping to anyone. Think of it this way, we surely could have used $52.00 this or any year. we love and welcome you no matter how much that you give, just as a member do what you know is the right thing to do.
ACT NOW IF YOU HAVE A PLEDGE CARD. FILL IT OUT AND MAIL IT TO THE CHURCH OFFICE TODAY. OTHERWISE, PHONE, EMAIL, OR STOP BY THE OFFICE AND DO YOUR DUTY.
The Devil's Advocate (Jim Spitler)
Stewardship in the Year 2020