2025 Season begins

As we begin our 2025 Stewardship season, we are grounded in these powerful words from the Book of Esther.

Our theme—For Such a Time as This—reminds us that God places us in particular moments in history not by accident, but with purpose. Just as Esther was called to act with courage and faith in a time of great need, we too are being called to respond faithfully to the opportunities and challenges before us.

Our church stands at a meaningful point in its life and ministry. We are seeing new faces, new energy in our programs, and a growing commitment to serve our congregation and our community. We are reimagining what it means to be the church in today’s world—how we worship, how we serve, and how we grow together. These are signs of hope and vitality, calling for bold, generous leadership.

Stewardship is not simply about raising a budget – it’s a spiritual practice. It invites us to consider how we offer our time, our talents, our resources to something larger than ourselves. It’s about choosing to invest in what matters most: a church that proclaims good news, welcomes the stranger, nurtures spiritual growth, and stands for justice and compassion.

In the weeks ahead, you’ll be invited to reflect on what it means to be a part of this community and to reflect on your own giving—not just what you give, but why you give. In November, you will be encouraged to make a pledge as an expression of your commitment to the ministry we share.

We believe that God has placed us here – for such a time as this. A time to lead with boldness and give with joy. A time to trust in what God is doing through us.

What is God calling you to do—for such a time as this?

Estimate of Giving Card

Please, prayerfully consider how your financial gift might impact the full breadth and depth of our ministry.  Fill out the estimate of your financial contributions to the church on the form below.

Click to complete an Estimate of Giving form

FCC Stewardship Committee: Clark Compton, Dean Kokjer, Julie Jessal, Georgia Quick, and Jean Stover, Chair

Tithes and Offerings by Rev. Dean Kokjer

“Seems like the church is always asking for money.” This was a common refrain in all 10 churches I served for over 40 years as a pastor. I’ve heard it here at FCC too. Maybe it would help to distinguish between two different kinds of asks. “You shall bring your tithes and offerings to the Lord” (Deut.12). Tithes and Offerings are not the same thing. So what’s the difference? In the NRSV Bible, the word “tithe” occurs 21 times. The word “offering” occurs 715 times!

Our church budget is built each year on estimates which are the intentions for monetary contributions in the upcoming year.  You can easily fill out the form below and click “submit” to confidentially send it directly to our bookkeeper.

In simple terms, a tithe meant one tenth of what you produced: cattle, sheep, grain, olive oil, wine, etc. It was brought to the temple and given to the Levites (who had no land of their own) to be distributed to people in need and to maintain the holy place of God. Today we replicate that expectation through our annual pledged, or estimated, giving to this church to be used in the same way. Your regular giving becomes the operating budget that sustains the many ministries of FCC, our outreach beyond our congregation, and the maintenance of this place of God.

Offerings, on the other hand, were “occasional events” of sacrifice or giving. The occasion may have been an exceptional windfall, an act of expiation for some sin committed, a particular prayer lifted to heaven, the birth of a child, etc. In the Old Testament offerings were generally of three kinds: drink offering, meal offering, and animal offering. Today our offerings are of money (and time), rather than actual animals or produce; but they still come from our labors and our skills.

So yes, the church IS always asking for money. We have so much to do for the glory of God! We ask in October/November for you to make an estimate of your giving, your tithe, for the coming year. It is hoped that everyone makes this annual commitment at some level. This giving sustains the overall operation of our church.

In addition, on many occasions during the year we ask for your offerings, such as Tasajera or Sierra Service Project. It is not expected that everyone will contribute to every offering. If you choose to give to a particular offering request, that is great. You should give to the ones that capture your heart. But you should not feel obligated, nor guilty, if you pass over some of the offering requests.