that I have an opportunity every Sunday, to make a difference in the lives of other people through my offering.  That’s why I, like you, am prayerfully considering the increase of my pledge for this coming year.  Recently at a bible study I attend I came across Jesus’ words about God’s gifts and giving as He was teaching his disciples.  I’d like to share those words with you now in closing.  It comes from the Gospel according to St. Matthew in chapter 6 starting with verse 25.  This particular section is entitled Do Not Worry and I just thought it perfect for us all as we prayerfully consider those pledges.

 

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?   Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow?  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all of his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or “What shall we drink?’ or “What shall we wear?  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  I hope you all are as excited as I am about what this next year holds in store for St. Andrews’ missions and outreach programs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of St. Andrew’s.   Since I have been attending St. Andrew’s I have been blessed by having the council of three Rectors; Janice, Sonja, and George.  Each one of them has had a unique and profound influence on my spiritual journey.  Janice was the Rector when I was confirmed.  Sonja was the Rector when we lost Tommie.  George was the Rector when I lost my Father and today I am reaffirming

my Christian Faith.  My Faith is constantly being nurtured because of the people at St.

Andrew’s.  It seems that just when I need that kind word, that good hug, or that sound

piece of advice, a member of St. Andrew’s is always there for me.  Not only is my

Spiritual life stronger, but my physical life as well because a member here encouraged

 me to attend Weight Watchers with her and now I am 50 lbs lighter. 

 

I would like to sum up by saying “Thanks be to God” for St. Andrew’s and the people

who make this a loving and welcoming church.  Every Sunday when I come in and pray,

 the first thing I do is thank God for St. Andrew’s.  I am so grateful that God led  me here.  Being a member of St. Andrew’s allows me to see God in my life and in the lives of others so that I may walk more closely with Christ.

Imagine

Imagine St. Andrew’s

prayerful vision for itself.

 

Imagine what you can do to make it happen.

 

To learn more about the many ways you can give of your time, talents, and or treasure, contact Fr. George, Michael Dial, P.A. or Mrs. Dot Binkley.

By now you all probably know that my husband, Michael, has been put in charge of the

stewardship campaign for this year which I guess explains how I got talked into giving a

talk on this subject.  Actually I’m quite happy to because it gives me the chance to share

with you how grateful I am to be a member of the mission-minded church of St. Andrews.

  It’s a wonderful blessing to have the opportunity to give back some of my God-given

gifts.  It’s been 5 months since the Mexico mission trip and I’m still amazed that I was

able to take part in building a home for such a deserving family who I had never met

before, in another country, with a foreign language and such a different way of life.  And, I’ll always be grateful to all of you, the community of St. Andrew’s for helping to make that possible.  Yet, I know

The Stewardship Committee asked me if I would mind saying a few words about what St. Andrew’s means to me.  I felt honored to be asked because this church and its people mean the world to me.  I started attending St. Andrew’s in 1999.  My dear friend Tommie Jones invited Brian and I to come to church with her.  She was an avid 8 o’clocker.  I wanted to attend the 10:30 service because I like to sing and I wanted to be able to sleep late.  We were greeted with such open arms from the very beginning.   Even though I felt welcome, I was still unsure.  This all changed when hurricane Floyd  hit Rocky Mount.  Tommie lost her home and most of her possessions.  When I saw how St. Andrew’s responded to her tragedy, I knew that God had led me to the Church where I belonged.  Over and over again, I see God working through the people at St.  Andrew’s.  I have grown in so many ways because