Mason First Presbyterian Church
Mason First Presbyterian Church
Mason First Presbyterian Church

Mission

at Mason First Presbyterian Church




Mission work is strongly encouraged and supported within our youth groups. It is also encouraged among the adults of our church. Giving is receiving, and we find much joy in doing God's work.

Give a gift of hope: Shelter and Warmth

Special days and special times in your life are a great time to share and give hope. A gift to the TOOLS OF HOPE & BLANKET program will make a difference in the lives of children and families next door and around the world.

When thousands lost their homes in Southern Africa due to heavy rains and flooding, gifts to TOOLS OF HOPE & BLANKET program helped provide blankets and temporary shelters to those who lost their homes. Many uprooted from their homes during the war in Kosovo were helped when Church World Service helped provide blankets and tents to refugees. Whatever the cause, natural or human-made, the primary needs are the same --food, clean water, blankets, and shelter to provide protection from the elements.

A gift of at least $5 will provide a blanket, $15 will provide enough plastic sheeting for a family, and $175 will purchase a tent. Your gift to the TOOLS OF HOPE & BLANKET program helps Church World Service prepare for the storm... give HOPE!


Special Offerings

The four annual church-wide Special Offerings are designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to provide congregations direct ways of supporting specific causes that help those in need.

The Christmas Joy Offering is usually received the Sunday before Christmas. Fifty percent of the receipts are distributed to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs and emergency grants to active and retired church workers and their families in ways that are not covered by the general pension plan. The other fifty percent supports racial ethnic education at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges.

Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great hour of Sharing to share God’s love with our most vulnerable neighbors around the world who are experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, hunger relief, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives, and work together to strengthen their families and communities.

The Peacemaking Offering, received by most churches on World Communion Sunday, supports the efforts of Presbyterians through their churches, presbyteries, synods, and the General Assembly to cultivate and demonstrate Christ’s peace in a hurting world. The Offering supports a variety of peacemaking efforts: 25 percent is retained by congregations, 25 percent is used by synods and presbyteries, and 50 percent is allocated to General Assembly ministries.

The Pentecost Offering, traditionally received on the day of Pentecost, provides a direct way to meet the needs of children at risk, youth and young adults. Congregations are encouraged to keep 40 percent of the Offering to support ministry with children at risk in their communities. The General Assembly’s portion (60 percent) provides leadership development opportunities for youth and young adults and supports children-at-risk programs at the national level.


Other Specific Appeals

Gifts to other specific appeals are given for specifically targeted mission that is not ordinarily covered in the budget of the General Assembly. These appeals can be ongoing or in response to one-time or emergency needs.

Extra Commitment Opportunities or ECO projects are supported through gifts from individuals and congregations considered over and above the session’s approved Basic Mission Support. Numerous projects in the United States and around the world are supported through Extra Commitment Opportunity giving.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance responds to disasters in about 35 countries and in 25 presbyteries in as many states each year. Initial response usually comes from the One Great hour of Sharing offering and is sometimes followed by designated gifts. Financial support of specific disaster relief provides the resources needed for large-scale response or in situations where there is a need for long term recovery. Such gifts allow One Great Hour of Sharing funds to continue to provide immediate initial response to future disasters and emergencies in the United States and around the world.

The Theological Education Fund affirms our church’s historic roots to quality theological education and provides resources for leadership for years to come. A continuing strength of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is competent ministry leaders, well grounded in the Reformed tradition. Your seminaries prepare pastors educators, mission workers, and chaplains for the work of Christ’s church. They also offer continuing education for those seeking renewal of spirit and ongoing competence for ministry.


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