Faith Stories: Carol Gordon’s Ministry Moment
Then Jacob made a vow saying “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” Genesis 28:20-22
I was listening to Pastor Jay’s sermon on July 27 about Jacob and his stairway to heaven. It is truly a living word, and it spoke to me again. Jacob promised to give back to God 10% of all that God gave to him. Too many times I forget that without God sharing with me I would have nothing. It is not my things nor my income, but God’s. God, who makes it all possible for me as he did for Jacob. This also applies to not just my pledge but also to giving of my time and talents in service to God.
Putting God First in Giving and Living:
Do I always give a tenth of my time and assets? No way. But I work at it. When I started my work career here after graduation from college at Oklahoma State 35 years ago, I was single and making less than $20,000 a year. So I started small and made a pledge of $10/month. The next year it was $20/month, and I made myself a promise to increase the amount each year. Some years it didn’t increase and one year it went down. But this year it will increase. Last year we started giving online so that every month our pledge would automatically be delivered just like our other important payments.
My family is very lucky to be a part of St Johns’ congregation. I am thankful for all the “God Things” we have been a part of: missions like the Shepherd’s Market and volunteer Reading Friend at Wildwood Elementary; small groups like Sunday School, Disciple Bible Study, Covenant Group, Bell Choirs, Nursery, and Youth; church committees like Administrative Council, Finance, Trustees, etc. We all have a lot to be thankful for: from the welcome you receive as you arrive to the fellowship as you participate, and from the walking with each other and God during worship and prayer.
So first: God made all this possible and everything is his.
Second: We have the opportunity to live into the mission of this church:
We are called to share our gifts through worship, witness and service so others will know God and become disciples of Jesus Christ.
(we are) Glorifying God, Feeding People, Making Disciples.
Vision – St. John’s will be known as a center for feeding people physically and spiritually within our community.
As you plan your financial and service pledge to God for this coming year, give prayerful thought about how you fit in our mission and vision.
We all know what God deserves.
Carol Gordon