First Things First

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food

in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if

I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so

much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

I was first taught how to tithe as a child. On Saturday nights each week, we would receive our allowance. But, to make sure that God came first, my father would always break out the tithe so that we might immediately place it in our offering envelopes for Sunday morning. As I've grown, I find that I pay the bills the same way, God first and then the rest. What I've found is that when God comes first, there is always enough and more to spare.

"When we let go of money, we are letting go of part of ourselves and part of our security. But this is precisely why it is important to do it. It is one way to obey Jesus' command to deny ourselves.... When we give money, we are releasing a little more of our egocentric selves and a little more of our false security.... Giving frees us to care. It produces an air of expectancy as we anticipate what God will lead us to give. It makes life with God an adventure in the world, and that is worth living for and giving for"

Imagine then what we could do if everyone here actually tithed. A few years ago, a Galveston church had a Tithing Demonstration Sunday for its members. On a designated Sunday everyone was asked to give a tithe of one week's salary. They urged everyone- whether or not they usually tithed-to give a tithe that one time. As you could imagine, the offering that Sunday was the largest ever given. In fact, it was six times the usual offering. The aftermath was even more exciting. Many who had never tithed before changed their attitude and decided if they could do it once, they could do it again. By the end of that year giving was up almost three times what it had been before the tithe demonstration. The people's enthusiasm was up more than that. Over and over, people gave testimonies of the many changes in their lives as God fulfilled his promise in Malachi 3:10. All of this came from a simple obedience to the God who provides.

Debbie Rundlett

General Presbyter

Holy Habit: Relational Tithe

No one claimed that any of their possessions were their own, 

but they shared everything they had... 

There were no needy persons among them

Set aside a "shepherd's purse." Collect all your loose change and put it in a purse or jar. Then when you hear of a need, offer what is in your "shepherd's purse."

Or check out other opportunities to give through www.samaritanspurse.org

Announcing the 2014 Fall Cohort for Commissioned Ruling Elder Training!

Click here for more information!

Westminster Presbyterian Church
353 E. Pine Street
Wooster, Ohio 44691
Phone: (330) 263-2398 

Seeking an Organist/Pianist

New Concord Westminster Presbyterian Church

2014 PW Gathering: "Radical Hospitality"

From the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Covenant 

The PW in the Synod of the Covenant wish to announce their 2014 Gathering, "Radical Hospitality."

• Date: July 18-19, 2014
• Location: Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 5151 W Lennon Rd, Flint Township, MI 48507

Details on breakout sessions, cost, and speakers can be found in this brochure.