Stewardship

Email Stewardship@acparis.org

 

Pastor's Letter
Church Programs Supported
Frequently Asked Questions about stewardship
Pledge Form   (as pdf)
Time and Talents Form    (as pdf)
Brochure (pdf only)

"The Grace of Giving"  Rev. Dr. Scott Herr

Dear Members and Friends of the ACP,

Generous giving is one of the marks of a follower of Jesus growing in grace. The Apostle Paul writes in II Corinthians 8.7, “Just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving" (NIV).

In the early church, giving was understood to be a privilege, a means of sharing in the self-giving love of Christ. Giving supported the church’s common life, but also was a way to bless those in need outside the church. As the Jerusalem church suffered because of persecution, the Gentile church helped to meet their need. Paul invited the churches of Asia Minor and Greece to take up a collection to support the saints in Jerusalem. Paul called it a “grace” to give so generously, and such giving has always been a mark of the authentic church.

I want each of you to experience the joy of giving, the grace of generosity! Giving with a glad and generous heart is one of the ways we worship God. In fact, for some it is a primary way to serve God. The stories about this in American culture are legion. J.C. Penney, the founder of the department store, began by tithing – giving ten percent of his income to the church. As he became more and more successful, he moved beyond the 10% mark, giving fifteen, then twenty, and even more. By the time he reached the height of his success he was giving away 90% and living on ten! When asked why, he responded that it was one of the gifts God had given him whereby he could faithfully serve. John D. Rockefeller, a man who tithed, is reported, when giving the children their allowances, to have reminded them: ten per cent was to go to the church, ten percent was to go into the bank and the rest was theirs to use as they saw fit. Such was the spiritual training that would lead the Rockefeller family into its heritage of generosity and service which blessed so many, including the American Church in Paris. [1]

Each of us has gifts to share. Like the pieces of a puzzle, each one of us has gifts to contribute and complete the whole picture. Giving is a mark of our gratitude for God’s gift of generosity to us in Christ. Giving is a faithful expression of our worship and one of the ways we grow into authentic community. I encourage you to consider a tithe of your time, talent and treasure this year, or some worthy expression of the importance of this church in your life. If you are not currently giving 10% of your annual income, think about doing so with prayerful consideration. As God has blessed you with resources, so share them. It will be a blessing to you and a blessing to others. I encourage you to excel in the grace of giving!

The Rev. Scott Herr

[1] Joseph Wilson Cochran, Friendly Adventures: A Chronicle of the American Church in Paris [1857-1931] (Paris: Brentano’s, 1931), 185. In fact, $90,000.00 had been pledged toward the current building by Messrs. Arthur Curtiss James and John D. Rockefeller Jr. (about $1,000,000.00 in today’s dollar value).

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Pledging allows the Church Council to form the 2010 budget and support the many programs of the American Church in Paris. 

A portion of your stewardship supports ministries such as these:

Sunday Atelier Concert Series

The Sunday Atelier Concert Series has been a mission of our church for nearly 80 years! A wonderful cultural gift to the wider Paris community, some 35 free classical concerts are presented each year by artists of the highest caliber.

“Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” Psalms 150:3-5

Contact: Fred Gramann music@acparis.org


Friday Mission Lunch

Friday Mission Lunch offers a nutritious hot lunch to the homeless and those in need every Friday at the American Cathedral. Volunteers participate weekly to cook, serve and clean-up.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18

Contact: Kristie Worrel kristieworrel@hotmail.com


Children’s Worship

A focus on worship for children during the traditional “Sunday School” time. Our hope is that as children get to know and love Jesus in the space and time that is dedicated to them on Sunday, that we grow together and discover ways to encourage families in their worship throughout the entire week.

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Matthew 19:14

Contact: Ania Bannister and Anne Speicher childrensworship@acparis.org


Adult Discipleship

Small groups that emphasize community and friendship as the ideal context for seeking Christ together – in Bible study, prayer and daily living. The recent enthusiasm for “Thurber Thursday” testifies to a widespread desire for even more opportunities in this area.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Contact: Peter Bannister peter.bannister@free.fr

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A portion of your stewardship supports ministries such as these:

King’s Garden

The King’s Garden children’s home provides a Christian home in the Philippines for poor, orphaned and neglected children. Through biblical principles and moral values taught from the word of God, the home attempts to break that cycle of poverty by providing a vocational education and livelihood skills.

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42

Contact: Tess Roque tessmroque@hotmail.com


Living Truth Foundation

Based in Ghana, Africa, and directed by a former ACP member Francis Cobbinah, this is a ministry that does outreach in hospitals, prisons and in local schools.

“I needed clothes and you clothed me… I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:36

Contact: Carolyn Bouazouni cbouazouni@free.fr


Youth and Young Adult Program

The ACP has warm and welcoming ministries with youth (ages 11-18) and young adults (ages 18-30), which include weekly Bible study, prayer and fellowship, as well as retreats, outings, and service programs.

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young will see visions, your old will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17

Contact: Ginger Strickland youthpastor@acparis.com


Lay Care Givers

A trained team of church members who make visits to the hospital, call or send cards to those who are grieving or going through a difficult periods and rejoice with those who have experienced joyful events.

“I was a stranger and you invited me in…I was sick and you looked after me.” Matthew 25:34 & 36

Contact: Kerry Lieury jk.lieury@wanadoo.fr

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Why is it important to make a pledge or to promise to give a certain amount of my income to the American Church in Paris?

The ACP relies on your pledges to fund its programs. In order to practice scriptural stewardship, programs are planned annually. The ACP’s annual budget is drawn up during the month of December. To enable the leaders – Pastors and Church Council members – to prepare a sound budget, they must know the revenue they can count on. Because of this, we invite you to make a pledge, or a promise, during November 2009 for the 2010 budget

Can I get a tax deduction on my contribution to the ACP?

Yes. If you make your gift by using your pledge envelope, personal check or electronic funds transfer we will send you a certificate for a tax deduction. If you make your gift in Euros to the American Church in Paris (ACP), 66% of your gift can be deducted from your French income tax (see website: www.impots.gouv.fr and click on particuliers > réductions). If you wish your gift to be tax deductible in the United States, you must make your check payable to our parent organization “The American and Foreign Christian Union” (AFCU) and put the words “for ACP” on the memo line of your check.

What is the role of the American and Foreign Christian Union (AFCU)?

The AFCU pays the senior pastor’s salary. All other church expenses are financed by the ACP’s operating budget, of which your tithes and offerings are a major component

Please find below a worksheet which could help you decide your pledge amount:

Annual Income	Weekly Income	Weekly Giving
		15%	12%	10%	8%	5%	3%	1%
5,200	100	15.00	12.00	10.00	8.00	5.00	3.00	1.00
10,400	200	30.00	24.00	20.00	16.00	10.00	6.00	2.00
15,600	300	45.00	36.00	30.00	24.00	15.00	9.00	3.00
20,800	400	60.00	48.00	40.00	32.00	20.00	12.00	4.00
26,000	500	75.00	60.00	50.00	40.00	25.00	15.00	5.00
41,600	800	120.00	96.00	80.00	64.00	40.00	24.00	8.00
52,000	1,000	150.00	120.00	100.00	80.00	50.00	30.00	10.00
78,000	1,500	225.00	180.00	150.00	120.00	75.00	45.00	15.00
104,000	2,000	300.00	240.00	200.00	160.00	100.00	60.00	20.00

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PLEDGE FORM

I wish to participate in the Grace of Giving by committing a portion of my financial resources towards furthering God’s work, through the ministries of the American Church in Paris. I make this promise of faith praying that God will enable me to keep it.

 

Total ANNUAL Contribution:

   I promise to give __________ Euros or __________ US $ in 2010

Method:

   Cash ___  Check ___  New Electronic Funds Transfer* ___  Increase Existing Transfer* ___

* Forms for making or changing a bank transfer can be obtained from the church office or e mail acctg@acparis.org

 

Frequency of Contribution: Weekly* _____ Monthly _____ Quarterly _____ Annually _____

* Weekly not available for electronic funds transfers

(Please Print)

Family Name: ________________________

First Name: __________________________

Address: ________________________________________

________________________________________________

Telephone:  ___________ 

Email: ___________________

Date: _____________

 

If your pledge is part of the Stewardship Campaign, please return by Stewardship Sunday, November 22, 2009.

Please place Pledges in the offering plate or Mail this pledge form to:

The American Church in Paris, Jean-Michel Bollecker, 65 Quai D’Orsay, 75007 Paris

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