Christian Stewardship
Managing a household is a complicated business these days. Trying to make ends meet in a time of heavy taxes, high prices and inflation is a challenge to the wisest of household heads. How do you divide up your income? Which jars get filed first? Usually the first jar is claimed by Uncle Sam and the rest of the jars are filled as the money holds out. But God challenges us to try a different plan. He asks us to set aside a first portion as a “bank” to be used for concerns he himself lays upon our hearts. Certainly support of the church’s work and mission is one of these major concerns. Others will be in the form of emergency needs that arise in the world with painful regularity. Others will come in the form of new opportunities for investing in peace, brotherhood, and justice. By putting a first portion of our income into such a reservoir, we guarantee ourselves; and God, a responsible answer to such needs. Another name for “steward” is “manager”. Good stewardship is good management, good planning, and good jar-arranging! Good stewardship is putting God first. The God who loved the world so much that he gave his only son deserves nothing less.
IF a man does not know how to manage his household how can he care for God’s church?
1 TIMOTHY 3:5
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Planned Giving ~ Leave Your Legacy to Support the Future of First Church
As 2010 was about to close, and we all were settling in for a nice Christmas Holiday season, we received a call from the Executor of the Wallace Johnson estate. It has been many years since Shirley Johnson has passed on and just a few since many of us witnessed the horse drawn funeral wagon which carried Wally to his final resting place in Howard cemetery. For those of us who knew them well, we miss them. Shirley and Wally came to our family parties on the 4th of July and Labor Day each year. Others may recall some story of how Wally had helped in the reinforcement of our Church steeple or helped cook at the Labor Day breakfast. Still others remember Wally as one of our longest serving Selectman (39 years).
Now they are gone. But, they always had the First Congregational Church on the Common in their hearts and made this final in their last will and testament. Wally has bequeathed 10% of the value of his personal property to the Church, to be used as we see appropriate.
We all are very blessed to have such a wonderful Church and even better, to have such a terrific community in which we can raise our families and live our lives. Please join me in praying for our good fortune and to remember all those who came before us.
God Bless You,
Greg Johnson
Moderator
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.
—1 Timothy 6:18-19
In his instructions to Timothy on various aspects of ministry, Paul includes a word about those who are not poor: “They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed.”
Planned Giving lays a foundation for the future for all concerned, givers and receivers alike. Because of its importance to the overall financial health of the First Congregational Church of Sutton, we thank all who remember First Church with a planned gift.
Making a planned gift — one that benefits the First Congregational Church of Sutton after your lifetime — is easier than you might think. There are many options. Whatever option you choose, your gift will strengthen and build your church and community for years to come.