The summer can be a tough time for the church financially. The summer is a time of vacations and relaxing. Often our most faithful members and contributors don't make it to church, and neither do their pledges. This can leave the church in tough spot. As we all know, bills still need to be paid in the summer!

It is at this time that we can begin focusing on what we don't have. We watch the balance in our church checkbook decrease and we worry we don't have enough. We talk about the money we don't have and the bills we can't pay. Ouch!

And in the middle of this anxiety, God calls us to a life of abundance. Jesus tells us, "I came that you may have life and have it abundantly." God has given us a wonderful community of faith with amazing gifts. We have been blessed!

God has blessed us with a beautiful summer filled with opportunities to spend time with friends and family. God has blessed us with the resources we need to do the ministry that we are called to do in at this time and in this place. Let's make sure that these two blessing meet so we can enjoy the abundant life which is our gift. If you are going to be away, may God bless you! And may you consider sending your pledge ahead of time so our summer may be one of abundance and not of scarcity!