On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper

(1 Corinthians 16:2, ESV)

Sunday, October 27, is our Commitment Sunday for Greater Things . . . our congregational stewardship education theme this fall. In both services on that Sunday, you will have an opportunity to bring forward, as an act of worship, your intentions for the year ahead in personal discipleship. Those not able to be present on that Sunday may send their Commitment Card & Discipleship Card to the church office, drop it by in person, or bring it to worship on a later date. We hope that every household in the life of our church will present one of the orange Commitment Cards, whether you choose to put your name on it or not. These stewardship intentions will help our Finance team plan responsibly for the coming year. Included in this mailing is a table with their Proposed Budget for 2014 along with last years budget, broken down by committee function, where you can see how their time and attention has resulted in some cost savings & efficiencies. That allows the Finance team to present us with a slightly lower budget total for the year ahead. On the reverse of that table is a pie chart with the last few years expenditures broken out into categories that show us generally how the congregational leadership is making use of your giving. These are rough estimates pulled out of the usual committee categories, which can help us see the work of the church under headings most of us are used to thinking about. There is also one last bright yellow piece, a Discipleship Card which we invite you to bring on Commitment Sunday as well. Again, whether you choose to put your name on it or not, the responses you share will help us clarify our vision of where God is leading us in 2014. On the reverse of the Discipleship Card are also areas where you might read through, and ask during your own prayer time if the Holy Spirit is nudging you to get involved in one of those aspects of congregational life. If you check one of those and present the Discipleship Card along with your Commitment Card on Oct. 27, the corresponding team leader will be in touch with you about ways to start following up on that nudge.

On the reverse of the Commitment Card are also some options where you might be able to share useful information with the Finance team; again, feel free to leave those blank if they do not apply to you, as well as leaving off your name & information if you are so moved. We are excited about a joyful day of commitment & discipleship together on October 27th, as we look forward to Greater Things . . . in Christs name!