Dear First Church Friends and Family,

I sometimes confuse myself by the language I use. I talk about my home and my car and my kids and my grandchildren and my church, etc. That "my" word is a possessive adjective that suggests that these things and people belong to me. Scripture, however, suggests something else.

In the first chapter of Genesis, God gives humankind "dominion" over all creation... and that includes home and car and kids, etc. When I looked up "dominion" in several sources, definitions went like this: power, authority, control, command, say-so, domination, dominance. But no place was "dominion" equated with ownership or possession.

Our stewardship campaign theme this year captures that thought: It All Belongs to God. God has blessed us so richly with material "possessions;" God will continue blessing us; but we are stewards of those "possessions." We have responsibility, power and authority to wisely manage those gifts from God.

I thank you for wisely managing those gifts and responding to God with your financial support for First United Methodist Church and its ministries. We appreciate your regular, faithful tithes and offerings. It is your generosity that enables ministry at First Church to continue at the level it does.

We are inviting our members to consider an increase for 2012 so that we can maintain and make gains in our ministry. Knowing your generosity, we know that you will do what you can, and we hope other members will follow your example.

In II Corinthians 9 Saint Paul says, "Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work." Whatever we give should be from the heart. It should be a joyful act, an opportunity to grow in faith and to let God work in our lives. I hope you think of First Church as one of God's blessings in your life; and I ask you to reflect this blessing in your giving.

You can also make your commitment here by filling out the form below. Or you can print the PDF file(s) below, then fill those form(s) out and give to us at the church. Would you please indicate your intention of support and return it on Commitment Celebration Sunday, November 6th? Please return your card prior to Commitment Celebration Sunday if you are unable to be in worship on that day, so that your pledge can be consecrated with the rest.

Our hope for providing many ministries here at First Church depends on your continued and faithful generosity. May God richly bless you for the sharing of yourself and your financial support for a faith-filled future.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Bill Bates
(writing for the Stewardship Committee: Nancy Olsen - Chair, Craig Arends, Bob Baker, Rich Brenneman, Dale Jans, Lynne Jones, Matt Munce, and Rose Rhead)

Instructions for making your commitment online
Fill out the 2012 Financial Commitment Card form below

Instructions for making your commitment - PDF method
Download 2012 Commitment Card (PDF), print, fill out and give to us.

Instructions for bank account payment
If you wish that we deduct from your bank account for stewardship payment, Download Bank Authorization (PDF), print, fill out and give to us.

2012 Financial Commitment Card