First Presbyterian
Church of Stockton
Stewardship Committee
Worshiping our Lord since 1850
,
How do we use our time, talents and monies?  The Lord calls us to be good stewards and use our resources
wisely.  There are many opportunities on a daily basis to do this.
We are called to be good Stewards.
Time, Talent, Money and Resources
First Church
Goes Green
In an attempt to be good stewards of the earth, First
Church has re-implemented its recycling program.  Our
goal is to cut the size of our garbage bin.  We will be
recycling bottles, cans, aluminum and paper weekly.
What is Stewardship?
Stewardship is about making choices, as individuals and
in community. It is more than giving money to the church.
Stewardship is about being faithful disciples, caring for
and managing all that God has given us.

Stewardship is not just one part of Christian discipleship;
it involves every aspect of life in all the stages of life.

Stewardship is the grateful response to God's grace and
goodness. It requires a consideration of how our choices
affect us and others, of how we can be good caretakers
of the created world, and of how we can best serve God
as disciples of Christ.
Resources
Time & Talent
How do we use our time?  
Are we serving others in our
communities and world?  
Click Here For Ways to
Serve
Monies & Investments
In the law of Moses, the people of Israel were taught to
bring their first fruits to God as a temple sacrifice, and
these first fruits were to be the best—a lamb without
blemish, the purest grains, the most luscious fruit. God was
to be given the first and the best. That was the nature of the
tithe—a tenth portion given to the community in God’s
name—ten percent of gross income in today’s language. It
was a given.

Read More about Checkbook Theology
Do you ever think about how your
checkbook reflects your beliefs?
What would someone looking at
our check registers and credit card
receipts assume were our
priorities?
Cents-Ability is a small first step in the battle against
hunger and poverty. Congregations invite every member
— of all ages — to contribute a few cents at every meal.
This simple act is an expression of thanks for what we
have received. It is also a commitment to share with
others in response to Jesus' command "You give them
something to eat." When members bring their offerings to
church on the appointed Sunday, all of those coins "make
a joyful noise unto the Lord" as they are received and
dedicated.

These small acts of faithfulness can add up: One hundred
persons in a congregation will contribute $180 a month at
two cents a meal. That's $2,160 dollars a year. A 30,000-
member presbytery has the potential of raising over $1.6
million annually at a nickle a meal.
June Message from your Stewardship Committee
            Planned Giving
We would like to continue our ongoing discussion about
stewardship.  In recent months it has been shared that stewardship is
matter of the heart and the realization that everything we have
belongs to God.  And that is true.  How do we use our cash?  How do
we live GREEN, reusing and recycling?  How do we use our time and
energy to glorify God?  

We often teach stewardship about and make appeals for gifts of
cash.  How can we support the ongoing mission of our church with
cash?  Or a local rescue mission.  Or with cash for our local public
television pledge drives.  So often, the question is, “How can we keep
the heat and lights on?”  “How can we provide for the ministry needs
this year?”

And when I think of First Church, I think of a family who has an
incredible giving heart.
I think of Buildings built,
Hours upon hours of service given,
Food given through Emergency Food Bank, Turkeys to Gospel
Rescue Mission and Oatmeal/Fruit to the Breakfast Club
I think of Backpacks filled for students.  Or over 500 pairs of socks.
Youth sent to church camp
Mattresses and blankets given to local and worldwide missions
Homes built through Habitat
Animals given through the Heifer Project
I could continue to go on....The legacy of giving in this church is
powerful.

Most of the above were done with cash.   But, consider this fact; the
typical American has 9 percent of his net worth in cash and 91
percent in other assets, including home, life insurance and IRA’s,
401K’s, property, and retirement accounts.  These larger portions
that belong to God are not easily accessed.  You can think of them as
the small jar and the large jar.  What are we considering to do with
these larger (jar) resources and assets when we go to see God?  In
other words, Planned Giving.

And now I think of a group of individuals and families who decided to
continue their giving, even after they were gone.  These individuals
planned ahead of time what to do with their estates and non-liquid
assets.  First Church has been blessed by many of these givers as
well.  Our Support and Endowment program at First Church has over
the years offered a way for individuals and families to give in a lasting
way...to create a legacy gift.  With Planned Giving, there are a number
of vehicles one can use; Endowments; Wills and Bequests, Trusts,
Charitable Gift Annuities, etc.  Obviously, we can’t explore these
vehicles and their benefits today, but watch for upcoming Planned
Giving Workshops.

And in the meantime, take a moment to review your large jar (non-
liquid assets) and prayerfully consider how God might use your future
planned gift.

Earl Roider, Stewardship Committee Member, 2010

Click Here for February 2010 Message
Click Here for March 2010 Message
Presbyterian Foundation

How are you going to use your resources after you are
gone?  The link above will take you to various resources to
consider how to use all of the resources God has given you.   
Planned giving provides an opportunity for us to create a
legacy.
Planned Giving