Glidden United Methodist Church
Thursday, February 23, 2012
...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. -Joshua 24:15

Newsletter

February News

 
Tithes and Offerings
 

During worship, when I invite the ushers forward to collect the offering, I often speak of receiving “our tithes and offerings.”   I’m not sure where I first picked up the phrase, but I’d never thought much about the difference between tithes and offerings until Ed Kail, the Field Outreach Minister for our district, met with the Finance Committee in January.   He spoke with us in part about the Biblical foundations for giving as spiritual practice, and helped me see the distinction between these two types of giving.

Tithes are a form of “committed” giving: an amount we plan to give to God’s work through the church on a regular basis.  In the Bible, the tithe was usually expected to be 10% of one’s income or produce. (See, for example, Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:21-24; Deuteronomy 12:6-7.)

Offerings are gifts given in response to particular events in our own lives (for example, thank offerings) or in response to needs that touch our hearts and call us to respond (giving for flood relief).   Offerings are given in addition to our regular tithes.   We may not feel able or called to respond to every special offering taken in worship or other settings. But some ministries and offerings will touch our hearts and invite us to give gladly and generously.

The giving of tithes and offerings are as much—if not more—about our spiritual lives as they are about the finances of the church or the needs of others. The practice of the tithe is one way in which we put God’s claim on our lives first before all other claims. Jesus warned his followers that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). By committing to tithe our treasure to God, we help to locate our heart in God. By the giving offerings in addition to the tithe, we respond to the promptings of the Spirit to grace others with the gifts God has so generously given us. 

 
Upcoming Events
 

Boy Scout Sunday, February 12

Staff Parish Relations Committee February 13, 6:00 p.m. [note changed time]

Ad Council February 13, 7:00 p.m. [note changed day]

Disabilities Awareness Sunday, February 19 (see below)

Ash Wednesday Service February 22, 7:00 p.m.

 

Opportunities to Give

“Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 10:8b, NIV)

Of your treasure

   Women at the Well, the United Methodist Church within the prison in Mitchellville. (see next page) Checks may be written out to Glidden United Methodist church, with the notation “Women at the Well” on the memo line.

   Disabilities Awareness Sunday special offering. (see below) Checks may be written out to Glidden United Methodist church, with the notation “Women at the Well” on the memo line.

 
Of your time

   Clean the Stoves in the Church Kitchen

   Visit shut-ins in our community

Disabilities Awareness Sunday
 

-Calls the churches of the Iowa Annual Conference to increase their understanding of the difficulties faced by people with physical and mental disabilities and how we can better serve all people through Christ’s love and care.

-Monies from the special offering taken on this Sunday are used for grants to local churches in the Iowa Annual Conference to help with projects to enhance accessibility of church facilities and parsonages, for camperships for persons with disabilities, and for educational events for district representatives and local churches to better serve all people.

 

Women at the Well turns 5!

Women at the Well is a United Methodist congregation which is located within the walls of the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women, in Mitchellville, Iowa. Worship is held on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Sacred Space Chapel.

We are a diverse community composed of women incarcerated at ICIW, men and women from around the State of Iowa who choose to worship with us, and many volunteers who regularly support our ministries and programs. We gather together to share the teachings of Jesus Christ, and to experience the life transforming Spirit of God.

In addition to worship, Women at the Well offers pastoral care, faith development, and assistance after release to the women incarcerated at ICIW. You can learn more at http://www.womenatthewellumc.org/ or on Women at the Well’s Facebook page.