Here's a very simple proposition... Give 10% of your Stimulus Check to United Church.
Starting in May people will begin to receive their Stimulus Checks from the Federal Government. These checks are being sent out to help stimulate the economy in a time of economic downturn. Well, your church is part of that economy and churches in general have been hurting. All I am asking is that when you receive that $600-$1200 in the next couple months is that you remember your church with a tithe.
The idea of tithing is an old Biblical idea that goes back to the story of Abraham. When he received an unexpected bounty he gave one tenth of it to the priest Melchizedek as a thanksgiving offering. (Genesis 14:18-20)
Many people set tithing (giving 10% of their earnings) as a standard for faithful giving. It is not mandated by scripture, but generosity in giving is always encouraged and hailed as a virtue.
The most recent statistics show that Presbyterians give, on average, 1.5% of their income to the church while United Methodists give 2.1%. Assemblies of God members are, on average, among the most generous givers with 5.25%.
The fact of the matter is that the church operates through your generosity and good will. Please remember United when your check arrives.