Good morning!  I’m Nancy Brookhart, a member of this congregation since my daughter Carrie came into this world – 37 years ago today.   In my life, there have been many things that shaped my understanding of stewardship in the church, and I’d like to share a couple of brief stories with you today.

As a child, I had everything I needed and even some of the things that I wanted, but my parents carefully considered how all of their money should be distributed.  I remember my father writing a $20 check to the church for our family’s Sunday morning offering.  As a child, I was amazed at the amount.  Of course, I don’t know if this was a weekly or monthly amount, but I know that I saw my father write these checks more than once.  My parents believed in supporting their local congregation as a way of honoring God.

As a child, occasionally I had a small allowance.  Now remember I said before that my parents made sure I had everything I needed and some of things I wanted, and that this was the early 1960’s – so when I say I had a small weekly allowance, I mean really SMALL.  It was 25 cents a week.  Now, this allowance came with strings attached.  The reason I received this allowance was because my parents believed I needed to learn how to manage money.  (That’s another word for stewardship – money management.)  I divided this money three ways.  The first 10 cents was my offering for Sunday School.  The second 10 cents was to cover my expenses (my Campfire Girl dues.)  The last nickel was for fun.  I could buy a candy bar that week or I could save those nickels til I had big money to spend.  Whatever I wanted.  My parents wanted me to learn the importance of giving to the church as a way of honoring God and so that was the first thing to consider in dividing that quarter.

As Rand and I began our married lives together, we had to work together to figure out how we as a family were going to manage our finances.  We had a common goal, but we each came with different ways of reaching that goal – not terribly different, but enough that it was an issue we still had to work through.  39 years later, we are still working through those things.  But one thing we agreed upon – We were committed to supporting the work of the church as a way to honor God.  As a young family and young in the life of this congregation, our commitment was small.  But as our family grew and as we watched the giving of others in this congregation, our commitment has grown.  You – and some who have passed on – have encouraged our stewardship because of your stewardship.

One last story:  As I’ve grown in the church, I’ve studied the Bible to guide my life, to grow my faith.  In Micah, chapter 6, the prophet asks “What does the LORD require?”  I’ll start with verse 6, and I’m reading from Nancy’s translation – not found in your local bookstore.

• What should I bring to God?  Should I bring God the things that I’ve decided I no longer need?  Should I give God the part of my paycheck that’s left after I’ve paid my bills?  Will God be pleased with a dollar a week or $10 a week or $100 a week or $1000 a week?  Does God want my oldest child?  (and believe me, there are times when any parent would be willing to give a child.)  No, Nancy – God’s told you what is good and what is required.  To act fairly with others, to love one another and to always walk with God.”

So, today Rand and I will again commit our financial resources to the work of this congregation as a way to honor God.  I urge you to do the same as you listen to God and I urge you to do as God instructs you. 

On Sunday November 4 (next week) we will celebrate Consecration Sunday.  On that day, we will gather in the fellowship hall at 9am for a party to celebrate our commitments to God (after our 8:15 worship) – or – (Then we will continue that celebration in our worship to God at 10:15.)  Please plan to be a part of that celebration.