Stewardship

"Renewed in the Spirit"

Martin Luther, the great Reformation leader, is said to have remarked that Christians must undergo three conversions: of the heart, of the mind, and of the pocketbook. It is this third conversion that may be the hardest. We learn that what’s in our pocketbooks is not ours but a gift from God, entrusted to us to use on God’s behalf. The Bible gives us the model of the tithe—giving away ten percent of our income. We encourage members to tithe or take concrete steps in that direction. Being faithful stewards is an ongoing conversion of our hearts, minds, and pocketbooks, putting away our “old selves” and becoming the “new selves” God intends. We invite you to embrace our church’s stewardship goals for 2008:

1. Pledge! Our aim is 100% participation.

2. Increase your pledge, working toward a tithe (10%).

3. Make MVPC your charitable giving priority. Thank you for your faithful stewardship!

We pray that we all will be open to God’s renewing Spirit in this critical and exciting time in the life of our church and we will be:

Renewed in the Spirit through WORSHIP

Every aspect of Christian discipleship affords us the opportunity for renewal, for transformation, for a change of heart. We begin each week with corporate worship. Gathered together we sing praises; confess our sin; listen for God’s word to us through scripture, sermon, music, and prayer; affirm what we believe; offer ourselves to God; and celebrate the sacraments (communion and baptism). At Mt. Vernon we are open to different styles of worship. Through worship God renews us and shapes us for a life of service.

Renewed in the Spirit for Ministry with CHILDREN and YOUTH

Our children are precious gifts from God to us. When they are baptized, as a congregation we pledge to nurture them in the faith that we follow. We provide opportunities for them to learn the stories of the faith and to do what disciples of Jesus do: worship, pray, care for others, give offerings, exercise their gifts, and enjoy being the unique person God created each one to be. While we may minister to our children and youth, often we find that we are ministering beside them and are the recipients of their love and care. It is very renewing to be in ministry with the ones to which Jesus said the kingdom of God belongs.

Renewed in the Spirit for OUTREACH and MISSION

Presbyterians are very clear that God calls us not to a life of privilege, but to a life of service. Mt. Vernon reaches out to those in need both locally and globally. Some of the ministries we support with dollars and/or volunteers are the Community Action Center (emergency assistance), Meals on Wheels, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Red Cross blood drives, Stirred Up Ministries (at-risk youth), Clifton Sanctuary Ministries (homeless men), Sandy Springs Community Meals, Change 4 Children (Zambian orphans), the Garden Presbyterian School (Zambia), and Los Niños Primero (Latino preschoolers). Helping others has the amazing “fringe benefit” of renewing ourselves

Renewed in the Spirit through FELLOWSHIP and NURTURE

The Christian life is not a solo enterprise, hermit monks notwithstanding. We are refreshed and revitalized through “re-creation” and learning together. The Mt. Vernon community gathers as a church family and in smaller groups (Sunday school classes, Koinonia groups, Presbyterian Women’s circles, youth and seniors’ gatherings, etc.) for fun and study. Being with one another, sharing meals, and becoming friends enable us to grow into the “new selves” God intends. We are renewed through fellowship and nurture.

Renewed in the Spirit through WITNESS

As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to invite others to share the new life we are experiencing. Mt. Vernon is a hospitable place that welcomes newcomers. This is a church where everyone is appreciated and offered the opportunity to grow in Christian discipleship. We are learning to witness to our faith, that is, to articulate the ways that God is active in our lives—giving comfort, forgiveness, direction, aid, opportunity, change of heart, and blessings. As we share our faith, we are renewed.

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