Much akin to God’s people arriving back in the promised land, we see glimmers of hope and normalcy after a nearly two-year struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we are not “out of the wilderness” yet, there is much to celebrate and be thankful for…a return to in-person worship, creating new ways to build connection and community as well as well as having a full ministerial staff to lead and pastor our church. In Deuteronomy 26 we find the Hebrews with renewed hope as they continue their journey to the promised land. God calls people to bring the first fruits from their harvest as an offering. Not only is this an act of obedience and reverence to God; it also shows that they trust God to provide enough crops to feed their families especially in uncertain times.
Farmers then and now work and toil over their land in hopes of a great harvest. They carefully prepare the soil, wait patiently for the final frost, sow the seeds, carefully fertilize, water and weed, until at last, their work finally pays off with a healthy crop. As we enter this season of harvest, stewardship and hope, we invite you to present your “first fruits” in celebration of all that the Lord has done for us this year.
Our Finance Committee proposes an 4.8% increase for the 2022 budget. This budget reflects what we anticipate 2022 to be – a year coming out of the wilderness - fully staffed and returning to a semblance of normalcy with in-person fellowship and worship.
During this time of stewardship, we ask you to:
Recognize with gratitude the gifts God has given. Our gratitude motivates us to return our first fruits to God.
Prayerfully consider your gift to FBC Raleigh and how God may use you in our ministries this year.
Give from your first and best. The idea of first fruits challenges us to give intentionally from our first and best, rather than our leftovers. This means setting our intentions in advance of the year to come.
When pledges have been returned to the church, the budget will be presented again for approval by our congregation.
A Stewardship Packet has been mailed out which includes a budget and a pledge card. If you did not receive a packet and wish one to be mailed to you, please contact Wayne Hager. For your review, the proposed budget is available in the members-only section of our website. You may also request a copy by calling the church office at 919-832-4485.
You may pledge online here.
