Birdies for Charity
Follow the link below to donate or call our office if you need a paper form 563-391-5726
https://birdiesforcharity.com/donate?charity=2307
Pastoral Ponderings – May 2024
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” — Proverbs 3:9-10
Supporting a church, any church, is a community effort. Few people like to talk about giving, or tithing, to a church. More people leave over giving to a church than leave for political reasons. In fact, many people believe that a church should never ask for money.
As a community who has intentionally chosen to gather to worship God, to support one another, and to shine God’s light and love on a shadowed world, we are called to share our gifts with the community, and there are as many ways to share our gifts as there are people in the world.
Traditionally, when we discuss stewardship, people jump to giving money. That is wonderful, and we certainly need to offer money—because like it or not—there are bills and expenses that the church incurs every day. But offering our money is not the only way to give.
We can offer our talent of time. Believe it or not, not everyone has time, or at least a decent amount of time, to offer the church, for a variety of reasons. Many of our ministries require the time people can offer. Cleaning the kitchen, planning Anniversary parties, working with youth and children, teaching Faith Formation, decorating the Fellowship Hall, planning, cooking, serving, etc. for Share-A-Meal and Hope at the Brick House, serving on the Board, to name just a few.
These things would not happen without the support of all of your gifts. But again, there is another way to thank God by being a good steward, and that is through your physical donations. These include the meat and cheese for sandwiches, for diapers and backpacks, cookies and desserts, oil and gas for the mowers and snow blowers.
It is amazing how much is donated to Faith First Community Church in terms of non-monetary gifts!
Many years ago, we decided that we wanted a more accurate picture of how much was being donated to the various ministries of the church. We wanted to figure out what it actually cost for us to support our missions financially, in the event that, one day, we would have to add them to the budget because we couldn’t get donations.
So we asked people to turn in receipts for what they donated. If someone bought paper plates for the kitchen, they turned a receipt into Martha with their name and the words “In kind”.
The purpose for this is twofold. First, it gives us a more accurate picture on what is being given back to God. Second, when Martha gets these receipts, she records them so they show up on your giving statements, and you can claim them on your taxes, if you so choose.
This is what we are asking each of you to do. If you give something physical—that is an item or items rather than money—then please bring the receipt to Martha for her to record. It doesn’t matter how much or how little, we want to know what you have lovingly donated to this church community.
Just to let you know, for the first quarter of the year, In Kind giving totaled $687.74.
Always Peace, Pastor Heidi
Pastor Ponderings – April 2024
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” — Isaiah 40:31
It is finally “official”, according to the State of Iowa. After what seemed way too long, we have finally been informed that our Articles of Incorporation for Faith First Community Church are in place. I am very excited, because now we can move forward. Actually, most of me is just plain relieved.
When we have to wait for something longer than we anticipated, things can be……. a little tense. We tend to get more and more irritated as time moves on, with the situation, as well as with one another.
I wonder if that is what is happening with our world today. Jesus left this earth, promising one day to return and make everything right again. But we are still waiting. And some of us are getting a little impatient. So much, in fact, that they are leaving the faith altogether.
But we are promised that Jesus will, in fact, one day return. We do not know when, but he will. While we wait, we are to continue to move forward, caring for those who cannot care for themselves, and work toward God’s Realm here on earth. And as you already know, that can take way longer than we would like, and it can take more strength and patience that we think we have.
But through Christ, and in God, ALL THINGS are possible. Even patience while we wait for Jesus to return.
Just because we are now seen as an “official” church, it doesn’t mean everything is how we want it to be. We still have so much to do. And like I said before, we need everyone’s help.
Some of the things will be more fun than others, but everything needs to be done. For now, we are working on prioritizing what needs done first.
Martha is building our new website, as well as working to get our emails set up. She is also working to get the bank accounts opened. (Until we let you know otherwise, please continue to write your checks to Faith UCC.)
Glenn will begin the tedious job of going through the First Christian history files (along with a volunteer or three!), and we need someone to do the same for Faith UCC. If you are willing to help with either of these things, please let me know as soon as possible, and we can figure out how we are going to get started on that!
I am very grateful to everyone for their patience, and for their excitement! There is much to do, and yet, we have come so far! Thank you!
Always Peace, Pastor Heidi
Pastoral Ponderings – March 2024
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. — Joshua 1:9
Last month I reported that our Merger Committee met for the last time. On January 25, we held our combined Annual Meetings, and we officially elected our first Board for Faith First Community Church! Your Board consists of: Martha Watters—President; Jan Hannel—Secretary; Doug Cox—Director; Jill Pepper—Director; and Jim Sullivan—Director. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact any one of these faithful people.
I also reported that our Article of Incorporation papers had been turned into the State of Iowa for review and approval. Unfortunately, today, I received another paper that needed to be signed and sent in. I will let you know as soon as I hear anything! SO, we are still waiting for this to happen.
We continue to move forward with whatever we can, however!
Starting the week of March 3, we will have put together an official Faith First Membership count. It has taken us a while because we still have people we want to send information to, but aren’t members, so that is a different category. We also have those who are members but are not able to participate with activities due to health or distance. Of course we have our homebound. Thank you for your patience as we continue to get all of our ducks in a row!
Before we celebrate our opening of Faith First Community Church, I feel that we need to recognize that First Christian Church turns 185 years young this year, and Faith United Church of Christ turns 60. These are wonderful milestones and I don’t want us to overlook them!
While we don’t have everything planned for that celebration, we are planning a Trivia Night to help fund it! Please join us on April 6 for a night of fun! We will have more details out next week. Please watch for this information.
We are headlong into the season of Lent. Please see the schedule for Wednesday evenings, as well as Sunday mornings on page one!
I am so very grateful for everything each one of you does for this Body of Christ. We are blessed to have you, and have one another, to journey through life with.
Always Peace, Pastor Heidi
Ash Wednesday
Join us for a soup and sandwich supper at 6:00, followed by the Service of Ashes at 7:00. If you can’t join in person, join us online at 7:00!
Souper Bowl
We will be collecting for the Souper Bowl of Caring throughout the month of February. Bring your non-perishable foods and place them on the table in the narthex.