November 11, 2021
Stewardship
Gathering together in hope
God’s message is one of hope. Our pledge campaign begins with hope and gratitude – we are so very grateful for all the ways our St. James’ community is meeting the challenges of the pandemic. We found ways to continue to share love and joy. Thank you for your flexibility.
This year has been different from other years in terms of what has been asked of us as individuals and as a community. We’ve experienced the challenges of separation. Some of us are struggling with finances and uncertainty. We believe it is the God we encounter at our church, and recognize in each other, that keeps us together and provides consistency in a shifting world.
We use our financial gifts to serve God, to care for each other, and to show our love for our neighbors. Both our Nursery School and Thrift Shop make significant contributions in meeting operating expenses. This past year, we also received Paycheck Protection Program loans which were able to supplement short falls. However, our pledge and plate offerings continue to provide most of the income we need to fulfill our ministry.
If you are able to increase your pledge this year, please do so because:
- Our costs have increased. For example, our insurance premiums increased because of the fire claim last spring.
- The government Paycheck Protection Program is over.
- Some parishioners are not able to increase their offering because of the pandemic.
As we moved through this year’s stewardship season, we heard messages of hope and generosity. We invite you to pray and to consider how you can share the gifts God has given you. We appreciate the commitments and gifts our parishioners have made during this past year, and we ask every member to take part in our stewardship campaign by pledging to fund our ministry for next year.
Our Pledge Consecration is this Sunday November 14. Please bring your completed pledge card and join us as we celebrate hope for our St. James’ family and our Christian love for each other.
Faithfully,
The Stewardship Committee & St. James’ Vestry
Wondering about Stewardship this year?
Here’s what you need to know:
- Stewardship materials and 3rd quarter giving statements were available for pick up on Sunday, October 17. If you didn’t get yours, no worries! Your packet has been mailed. Please spend some time reading the 2021 Stewardship Letter and looking over the financial recap from last year.
- Please reflect on the ways St. James’ brings hope for the future and pray about how you can contribute.
- To help you in your discernment we will have several reflections by parishioners during our October Stewardship Moments at the 8:30 am and 10:30 am worship services. You can also read Rev. Kristin’s October sermons to learn more about hope and the words of Jesus.
- How do we figure out what amount to give? Click here for a chart on how to give based on a percentage of your income. If you are in need of a pledge card it can be found here.
- This year’s Stewardship Committee members are Matt Kastel, Vic Pellicier, and Dave Rak supported by our Receiving Treasurer Aline Sautter and Assistant Receiving Treasurer Deb Schaeffer. Feel free to contact any of them, Kristin+, or Laura in the office, for assistance or to answer any questions you might have.
Outreach
As your Outreach Committee is completing the gathering of your generous donations for our Thanksgiving families, our attention is now being turned to our
Christmas Angel Tree which will be on display this Sunday!
Following our tradition, the Angel Tree will be decorated with colorful paper angels with gift wishes listed on them for foster children in Carroll County. Please take an Angel, or two or three, to shop for. The wrapped gifts with the Angel tag attached will need to be delivered to the Church no later than Sunday, December 5. Please help to make this Christmas season merry for these special children!
Last, but not least, THANK YOU very much to all who have donated so many items to make this a wonderful Thanksgiving for ten families in our community. Best wishes to each of you and your families for a blessed Thanksgiving holiday! We need your donations by this Sunday, November 14.
Sunday Worship Information
Join us for worship on Sundays at 8:30 am and 10:30 am or watch on Facebook at 8:30 am.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Church Directory Coming in January
Stop by the table in the narthex to check your directory listing and provide any updated information or just click on the link below.
CLICK HERE TO UPDATE YOUR DIRECTORY LISTING
Lectionary Readings for this Sunday:
Next Week’s Commemorations:
14 Samuel Seabury, First American Bishop, 1796
15 Francis Asbury, 1816, and George Whitefield, 1770, Evangelists
16 Margaret, Queen of Scotland, 1093
17 Hugh, 1200, and Robert Grosseteste, 1253, Bishops of Lincoln
18 Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680
19 Elizabeth, Princess of Hungary, 1231
20 Edmund, King of East Anglia, 870
Prayer Rotation
Please join the Daughters of the King in praying for each parishioner in rotation during 2021 by taking this notice home and by posting it where it will remind you pray to on a daily basis for the needs and blessings of:
Ty and Ashley Conlon (JT, Penny, Daphne, Marshall, Flynn)
Gail Crum
Bill and Chris Cunnane (Connor, Ajay)
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.