Investment in Your Faith, Your Church and Your Discipleship

I remember as a young boy sitting in the pews of North Shore Congregational Church, watching the offering plate pass by each Sunday. I was always amazed by the lofty mound of white envelopes. The pile never ceased, never decreased and always made a clear statement to me that our congregation takes care of our own. I remarked to my parents after the Sunday's service that I was impressed by how much people donate. My parents smiled and told me it was the right thing to do. That stuck with me. To this day, I follow the golden rule, and I'm grateful to my parents for embedding such an important Christian principle into my adult life.

Each day North Shore Congregational thrives due to the generous and proportional giving that we set as a high standard to sustain and strengthen our meeting house. The outreach into charities-both local and state, national and international-is a sound and real statement of our commitment to grow and deepen our Christian discipleship. Our programs for adults and youth help guide us close to God. Ad the maintenance of our physical church is further supported by the contributions you give.

As I write this article, I am a proud member of our Stewardship Committee. i humbly ask each and every one of you to consider your contribution for next year. An "estimate of giving" packet has been mailed to your home, and the Stewardship Board hopes that you take the time to review the packet, remembering all that we are within and because of our church. Our unity, love support and care for one another is strong, and your generous and proportional giving will help us secure those bonds and our future at North Shore Congregational Church. Thank you for giving all you can.

Jeff Leypoldt

Generous and Proportional

About 25 years ago Hetty and I with our 3 boys were looking for a local church to join. The search brought us to North Shore Congregational Church. Here we found a quality, spiritual and welcoming church. The youth programs, church music and inspiring preaching were foremost as well as a beautiful well maintained facility.

We continue being part of North Shore Church and the reasons we joined are the same. We have participated in the church, found spiritual strength and feel a belonging to our church.

Today i am a member of the stewardship committee. As I participate in the committee's planning for the next year "estimate of giving" event I am reminded that North Shore Congregational Church is here in part due to the generous and thoughtful gifts of many people, and this is something they ave supported since the church was first established. It is now time for us to consider our contributions for next year. In order to continue what we have begun and to maintain and grow into the future, it is up to us to take time and consider how we can support North Shore with a new "estimate of giving."

Sundays, October 16th and October 23rd, "estimate of giving: packets will be available at the church. I encourage you to take a few minutes and decide how you can support your church now and into the future.

Dick Tollefsen

2011

DAD...WHY DO I NEED TO GIVE MONEY TO THE CHURCH DURING SUNDAY SCHOOL?

   This seemingly simple question was asked by my 5 year old son as we scrambled to get everyone ready for church this past year. In our family, we ask that the kids take a few quarters or a dollar or two from their piggy bank each week for the collection plate. They aren't old enough to really understand the broad scope of what it is for, but we believe they should learn about what giving and Stewardship is all about.

   Stewardship is not easy to define, especially to children. We did our best to explain that it is our responsibility to give not just money but also our time and talents to those in need - quite simply put, this is not just a way for the church to raise money. It is a way of life that recognizes that everything we have is a result of God and we are simply helping to manage what we have been blessed with as best we can.

   As a new school year is now upon us and the season begins to change, I ask that you take time to think about what giving to the church means to you and your family. Through our congregation, we are the heart, spirit and hands of God's outreaching love. Life grows here through the joy of generosity.

Peter Nelson, Stewardship Board Member

You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity. (2Corinthians 9:11)

   As a member of the stewardship committee, I was asked to write a short piece and I have struggled with this assignment for days.

  But as I reflected on this task it came to me that it really is very simple. Reflect upon how God has affected our lives. How blessed we are each and every day by His many gifts and blessings. Even the most simple and basic of blessings are a gift we receive. The question is, how can we give in return? In our case, my husband and I choose to share our blessings by tithing to the church and giving our time and talents to help spread good works in the name of the Lord. I encourage you to pause and reflect on your many blessings and with prayer generously respond in kind to God's benevolence.

Marilyn Linde, Stewardship Board Member

Generous and Proportional Giving-A Faith Promise

Recently, the Stewardship Board has suggested we consider generous and proportional giving, including tithing as our stewardship emphasis. This may be a challenge for many. However, I encourage you to consider such an approach to giving as a Faith Promise. We make a commitment to give over and above each year what we are accustomed to giving by tithing or taking proportionately incremental steps to tithing. That is our Promise. By Faith, we trust our Lord to provide us the fruits to honor the commitment(Philippians 4:19:...and my God shall meet all your needs...). Please consider a Faith Promise gift to North Shore Congregational Church by generous and proportional giving of your fruits and also your time and talents.

James Ehrenstrom, Stewardship Board Member

What Are Your Priorities?

When I was a financial planner, I needed to know the long and shore-term priorities and objectives of my client. I then would ask the client to prepare an income and expense report.This exercise often resulted in "Ah Ha" moments by allowing the client to see some disconnects. Likewise, how we spend our money and our time lets us know if we are effectively committing ourselves to our priorities.

Several weeks ago in his sermon about the Widow's Offering (luke 21:1-4), Karl said Jesus wants us to excel with generous giving. HE wants to be a priority in our life. Jesus knew the two copper coins given by the poor widow was a huge committment. By her gift, she demonstrated that serving Jesus was her priority. What are your priorities?

Rick Bausenberger, Stewardship Board Member