UPDATE 02 - Pledge Sunday is Coming!
by Stephen Wood
PREPARING YOUR FAMILIES FOR PLEDGE SUNDAY ON MARCH 17
In Exodus 35, God, through Moses, calls the whole people of Israel to make a freewill offering for the building of the Tabernacle. Each family then goes back to their tents and come back with all manner of contributions: gold, silver, goatskins, ramskins, fabrics, acacia wood, and more. Each gave as “his spirit moved him” or “as his heart stirred him.” (If you missed our recent sermon on this text, click here to listen!)
Both men and women give– the text is clear about that. Some of these men and women would have been very young by our standards; some likely would have been teenagers. Surely these contributions would have affected the lives of the children of Israel too. The fabrics donated must have been the material used for their clothes and toys.
On Pledge Sunday on March 17, our families are going to pledge to give towards Project Sanctuary over the next three years (above the regular call to give to the ongoing work of the church). I pray that it feels like Exodus 35, with each contributing from his own house as the Lord leads each heart. The pledge time will be an unusual offering time, just as it was in Exodus 35; instead of passing the plate, we will invite families to come forward to put their pledge card (safely tucked away in their privacy envelope) in a basket at the front of the room. Extra pledge cards, envelopes, and pens will be available.
We want to involve our kids in pledge Sunday too. We want to raise our kids to love and follow Christ – we must teach them to pray, read Scripture, and go to church. A key rhythm for us to pass on to our children is also generosity. Generosity is not a burden, but a joy of the Christian life. As God has so richly given to us in Christ (particularly by his cross), we have the joy of giving back to him in worship. We want our kids to experience that joy.
Therefore, on Pledge Sunday, we will have a time for kids to give contributions too. Specifically, we will ask them to bring forward any toys, books, puzzles, or other home items that they love that they can give. If they are comfortable with it, we will ask them to come forward and put the items in a box at the front of the congregation. Then, Lord willing, when we have our first service at 2531 E Lehigh Ave, we will take the kids’ contributions out and let them be the first furnishings for the kids’ ministry spaces. We hope kids will give from their sanctuary– their home– to contribute for the future sanctuary of the church, which will be a home to many other children.
If you’re a parent, consider how to shepherd your children with this in the coming week. I would encourage you to talk to your kids about giving their firstfruits; that is, give something precious to them. Don’t let this be an opportunity to dump out junk that your family was going to bring to the thrift store.
And if you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me! I pray Pledge Sunday is an opportunity for us to, like in Exodus 35, make contributions from the heart to the God who gave so much for us.
- Stephen Wood