Stewardship for 2025

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

Our 2025 Stewardship theme, “Disciples Bear Fruit,” was selected to remind us of a number of co-existent truths:

  • Everything we have comes from God in the three persons of the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
  • It is only by God’s grace that we do anything fruitful for the Kingdom.
  • Fruitfulness is not an expectation meant to weigh us down and create stress, guilt or shame; fruitfulness is a truth we already live in and, as such, frees us up to be confident in its flow from us.
  • By abiding in (or remaining) the truth of God’s love for us—made evident in the death and resurrection of Jesus and in the reality of the Holy Spirit in our lives—we are free to do all sorts of good things.

Pledge Sunday at First Pres will take place during the Sunday Morning Worship & Communion Service on November 3, 2024. All regular attendees are asked to participate by bringing a pledge card to drop off during Communion (empty cards will also be available that Sunday).

We are emphasizing two key requests for giving in 2025:

  1. Those who have never pledged or never given regularly in the past are asked to prayerfully consider making pledges. Pledges make budgeting for the coming year as accurate as possible.
  2. We ask everyone who gives regularly to set up automatic payments through Realm (our online member’s portal) if at all possible. Giving automatically through the portal makes our accounting and forecasting more accurate.

Giving to the local church is more than just a way to keep the doors open and the lights on; it is participation in the good works (fruitfulness) of the body of Christ.

How to make a pledge:

Choose the “Make a Pledge” button above to be taken to our member’s portal and enter your pledge for 2025. If you do not have a portal account or need any assistance, feel free to contact the church office during regular business hours at (847) 864-1472.

While we are emphasizing making pledges, making a faith promise lets us know you plan to give but choose not to commit to a specific amount. There is, of course, always grace and understanding given when life circumstances impact one’s ability to meet their annual commitment. Always feel free to contact the FPCE business office at (847) 864-1472 if you ever need to change your annual giving commitment.