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Stewardship of civility
There used to be a wise saying about arguments that helped keep things civil. One party or the other would say, “I disagree with what you say, but I defend with my life your right to say it.” That sounds downright quaint in today’s climate, where partisans are more likely to say, “I disagree with…
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It is now time for all good St. Andrew’s members and friends to come to the aid of their parsonage
It is no secret that we have been updating the parsonage. Since our new pastor will not be living in the parsonage, the immediate pressure for completion of updating the parsonage is nonexistent. However, we do need to complete the projects started. The painting of the cabinets has been started and most of them have…
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Consider percentage-based giving
No matter how or what amount you give to your congregation, thank you! Your offerings sustain important ministries, and there is no such thing as an inappropriate or inadequate offering. But if you are among the many who give regularly on a “lump sum” basis, consider giving on a percentage basis instead. The “lump sum”…
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Deepen Your Faith
StewardshipWhile creating revenue for the church is essential, it is not the foundational purpose of stewardship. Don’t misunderstand this: raising money for the operation of the church is important, and the money people give or don’t give will either empower or cripple ministry that the church must be about and that the world desperately needs.…
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Don’t let your offerings take a holiday
Ahhh, summer! A time to relax and grab much-needed R & R. Vacations and weekend getaways may keep you away from church, but our congregation is still bustling with activity. The bills never take a summer holiday. It’s enormously helpful to the congregation’s balance sheet if your gifts, tithes and offerings continue to come in…
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A harvest of sufficiency, contentment, and generosity
When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your…
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Estate Planning
The Missouri United Methodist Foundation is offering a free, online event on June 17 at 7 PM that you might find valuable. It is a practical conversation with attorney David Holdsworth about creating wills, trusts, and estate plans. When we think about creating wills, trusts, and estate plans, there are so many questions — most…
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Money Matters
Lent: Time to go the second mile “If any of your kin fall into difficulty and become dependent on you, you shall support them.” Leviticus 25:35a Thanks to vaccines, we can expect an end to the pandemic, but the economic recovery will linger much longer. Our government reports that half the families in our nation…
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Money Matters
To the congregation, Due to your faithful giving, St. Andrew’s was able to pay all monthly expenses on time, pay all of our district apportionments, and pay 81.5% of the conference apportionments. I think this is great considering the year we have had. Thanks for making my job a little easier. May God Bless! -Barbara…
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Give: an Expression of Love
Paying Ameren isn’t really inspiring. There’s no great joy or love felt when paying utilities or even paying other recurring monthly bills. So what inspires people in the church to pay all those boring bills? Nothing. We don’t give because Ameren gives us a warm, fuzzy feeling. (That’s Spire because the church has gas furnaces!)…