Stewardship Committee

Stewardship Committee members are Don Lovegrove, Dave Rappoli, Shirley Sprague, and Sheila Vitali

The First Congregational Church has undertaken a faith-based stewardship program through which we seek to educate our members about God's gifts.

What is Stewardship?

Stewardship is the intentional use of all the resources and gifts God has given us to restore people to unity with God and each other in Christ and to further the reign of God on earth. It is definitely about money but it is also about our time, our relationships with our families, friends, neighbors and strangers in the street, our homes and possessions, our relationship with God's creation and the use of the earth's resources, and much more. Being a good steward means being aware of the fact that God has given us all that we have and developing the practice of thankfulness and generosity. God's grace - God's unearned, undeserved and unconditional love for us - invites, even demands a life of thankfulness and praise.

Church faith-based stewardship in a congregation does not focus on raising money for a budget. Rather, it begins by educating people about their personal stewardship first. It provides education about the congregation's use of the resources it already has. This includes our endowment/investment funds, our building, and deacons' funds as well as our individual gifts of time and talent.

Current Stewardship Projects

The Committee has worked over the last year changing the pledge card to a faith-promise form. This year we started a recognition program to better appreciate the work of our hard working, dedicated volunteers. We also started giving Stewardship Moments during the church service in March, with a visit from the Associate Conference Minister on Stewardship, Andrew Gustafson.

The Committee works closely with the Pastor, the Financial Secretary, the Trustees, the Treasurer, and the Nominating, and Investment committees.

Stewardship Resources

The following resources have been useful to the Stewardship Committee:

Websites

www.macucc.org (Mass Conference United Church of Christ)
www.generousgiving.org - Bible references for stewardship and daily reflection
www.churchlaughs.com- humorous church cartoons; site allows distribution of cartoons if you subscribe to newsletter.

Books

Inspiring Generosity: A Stewardship Resource for the Local Church

"This resource looks at ways to understand and approach money and mission realistically, given the changing conditions in congregations of the United Church of Christ today. Intended for use by lay leaders as well as clergy, it includes the theological background on the motivation for giving, as well as four programmatic approaches to fundraising in the church." Description from UCC website. Order from UCC.

The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn.
You Can't Take It With You... But You Can Send It On Ahead!

"....introduces readers to a revolution in material freedom and radical generosity that will change lives around the world.

'You couldn't pay me enough not to give," exclaims the best-selling author, who believes there's a higher motivation for giving than guilt. "Giving infuses life with joy. It interjects an eternal dimension into even the most ordinary day.'

"Alcorn bases his brief, motivational message on the words of the world's foremost financial consultant, Jesus Christ, who advised listeners to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20). In a concise power-packed style, he leads the reader toward the Treasure Principle mindset by proposing and illustrating key truths. 'God owns everything," writes Alcorn. "I'm His money manager. What I call my money is really His. The question is, what does He want me to do with His money?'

:In contemporary, easy-to-understand language, Alcorn offers readers a six-step plan to finding the immediate pleasure and eternal rewards of the Treasure Principle. Once readers discover the liberating joy of giving, life will never look the same. And they won't want it to!" Description from Randy Alcorn web site. Order from Randy Alcorn website.

Ask, Thank, Tell Secrets of the Vine by Charles Lane

"...The book is designed especially for use in congregational planning and study. Congregational stewardship leaders will come back to three foundational verbs - ask, thank, tell - over and over as they help individuals experience the joy of giving generously. The author makes the convincing case that there is little in life today that can help a disciple grow in relationship with Jesus more than a solid intentional biblical stewardship." Description from books.google.com. Preview Content and Order

Secrets of the Vine: Devotional & Journal Set by Bruce Wilkinson

"Based on Wilkinson's breakthrough teaching on John 15, this 31-day devotional journey combines daily readings, inspiring quotes, and practical suggestions that empower you to bear more fruit for the Lord. The companion journal features lined pages interspersed with quotes and Scripture so you can record your own reflections. 128 pages each, two hardcovers from Multnomah." Description from Christianbook.com. Order from Christianbook.com.

First Congregational Church
18 Andover Rd.
Billerica, MA 01821
Phone: 978-663-8433
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Sharon Goss