In every other parish I have served and in almost every congregation I visited as a Cluster Counselor, I invariably heard the words: "The church is always asking for money." Well, with the word "always" in there, that phrase is just not true - unless you consider the weekly passing of the offering plate, of course.

No, it's the world that's always asking for money, not the church.

When's the last time you went to the grocery store, and the check-out clerk didn't ask you for money? When's the last time you bought something at Macy's or K-Mart, and you were not asked for money. When's the last time you made a purchase on line, and the computer monitor did not ask you for money. When's the last time you went to the gas station or the drug store or a restaurant, and you were not asked for money. It's the world that's always asking for money, not the church.

Then there's your phone company, your cable company, your heating provider, your electricity supplier - always asking for money. How about your mortgage company, your car payment corporation, your newspaper provider - they're always asking for money.

Bills, bills, bills from everywhere, but not from your church. There is no free lunch except at your church. When you go to the movies, the theater, a concert, a professional baseball game - you have to pay an admission charge, but not when you go to church.

Who withholds a percentage of every dollar you earn? The IRS, not the church. Who visits you in the hospital or at the nursing home and sends you a bill? It's your doctor, not your pastor. Who charges you big bucks when a loved one dies? The undertaker, not the church. Who calls you on the phone and asks for money? The telemarketer, not the church. Who bombards your mailbox with requests for money? Politicians and non-profit organizations, not your church.

You see, it's the world that is always asking for money, not the church. In fact, the church probably asks for money less often than any one else.

As your Interim Pastor for the past seven months, I have never preached a money stewardship sermon. But you will hear such a money stewardship sermon on Sunday, March 30th, by Pastor Scott Schantzenbach. That's the day of inaugurating our annual Stewardship Drive when we will all be asked to consider making a money pledge to our church for the forthcoming fiscal year, which begins in June.

I hope everyone will make a pledge - young and old, persons with any kind of income - whether it be from your wages or Social Security as an adult, or from your allowance as a youth. Everybody - please make a one-year pledge.

Once a year asking for money is not - "the church is always asking for money".

But always remember this: While the church's survival depends on your money, your saving relationship with God needs nothing but God's love to survive. All of God's gifts supplied through the Word and Sacrament ministry of your church will always be free of charge!

With God's love and mine,
Robert H. Wilson, Jr., Your Interim Pastor