Message from Pastor Pete
‘Well the hurricane was big news this week…I hope you fared well. At least you have electricity and you get to listen to me.
I’d like to talk with you about giving and particularly about money. Now don’t hit the ‘delete’ button… this will just take a minute or two of your time.
I’d like to actually think with you about why we give…
This past Sunday, Michelle shared with us in worship how when she came to this church a dozen years ago, she was climbing the corporate ladder; nice car, big home, thousand dollar dresses, and she encountered Christ here (at VPC). And by her own admission she talked about the difference this has made in her life—to have Christ in her life. She is not the same person she was a dozen years ago.
The Sunday before that, we heard from PJ, a fourth grader. He was talking to third graders on the occasion of getting their Bibles. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a fourth grader giving a Minute for Witness before about receiving a Bible from his church and the difference it was making in his life to read his Bible. A Bible made possible through your giving.
Before that we heard from Bruce. Now I’ve known Bruce for 30 some years. When he joined this church, by his own admission, was a dutiful church member. He went on a VPC mission project to Mexico, and it changed his life. He’s been going on mission projects ever since; and these are changing his life. And I’ll tell you…he’s not the same person that I met thirty some years ago. These are projects that you support through your giving.
We also heard from Erika this summer. Erika is a rising seventh grader. She attended a local mission camp with VPC’s Children’s Ministries. She visited a retirement home and a homeless shelter. She’s talking about the difference this is making in her life.
Alright, all of that to say…this Sunday is Pledge Sunday.
We’re asking you to fill out a pledge card and bring it with you to worship. If you can’t be with us, pledge online (at viennapres.org/PledgeCard) or through the mail.
But let’s be brought back to why we give.
We give because God is changing lives through this church.
That’s why we give.’
