Giving

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Cor. 9:7

At OBUMC, we offer three ways of giving:

Online Giving

This safe and flexible option is the easiest way to give. Whether you'd like to give a single gift, schedule ongoing donations, or view your giving history, you can do it all online - it's quick, easy, and secure. Here you can easily manage your giving amount and specify where the funds should be applied; to the General/Operating Budget, to the Capital Campaign, or to designated accounts (DC mission, ACTS, etc).

FAQ's about online giving.

OR, download the authorization form for automatic direct debit (EFT), credit/debit card donations.

Sunday Worship Services

For your convenience, offering envelopes are available for tithes and offerings. Simply place cash or checks (payable to OBUMC) in one of these envelopes and put it in the offering basket on Sunday morning or mail it to OBUMC.

Online Bill-Pay

This is another great way to set-up regular and consistent giving. Every bank has a slightly different procedure. If you have questions we suggest that you contact your bank directly. As a general procedure: (1) log in to your online banking; (2) select "Bill Pay;" (3) select "Add New Payee;" (4) Enter the information for OBUMC (church name, address, phone, etc); (5) Select "Recurring Payment" and enter the appropriate dollar amount and frequency; (6) Select "Finish."

Stewardship Campaign, January 8 - January 29, 2012

“First Things First!”

As we journey with the wise men through the Epiphany Season, we also focus on Stewardship. The fundamental principal of Biblical Stewardship is God’s Ownership of All, and our roles as His caregivers of Creation, Time, Treasure, and Talent.

The acknowledgement of this premise is the first step of our journeys as Stewards. As the season of Epiphany unfolds, we will ask God’s guidance in discerning our Call as Stewards. Look for suggested weekly readings, congregational challenge, and themes for contemplation and meditation at OBUMC.org. We also invite all to join our stewardship study for the Epiphany Season, "How Much is Enough? Hungering for God in an Affluent Culture," which will meet in Room 103 beginning Jan 8.

As we journey, we will prepare our hearts and minds for a Covenanting of Stewardship Goals for Worship, Small Group Participation, Missions, and Giving. Thank you for your prayerful and faithful commitment to OBUMC’s mission statement, “Together, Growing In Christ,” as we focus on Stewardship in Epiphany.

Week 1: January 8, 2012 celebrating the Baptism of the Lord

First Sunday after the Epiphany

Theme:

“Where your treasure is, your heart will be also” -- Matthew 6:21

Suggested Weekly Readings:

Genesis 1: 1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19: 1-7; Mark 1: 4-11

Congregational Challenge:

This week, consider the following aspects of vital discipleship: worship, small group participation, doing mission, Giving. Stick a note to the fridge listing examples of these in your life… it may read: “weekly worship 8:30 am, weekly Bible Study, make Turkey Bags, donate food to Hilda Barg, teach Sunday School and give 10% of my income.” As we look at our lists through the week, let us ask ourselves, “how does God want me to grow in these areas in 2012?” Can we add anything to our calendars to further our journeys as disciples? Can we remove some of that which gets in the way?

Video: Together We Can.

See some of the incredible ministries that happen thanks to our apportionments to the United Methodist Church!

Week 2: January 15, 2012

Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Last Sunday, we considered the connection between our stewardship and Christ's ministries on earth. Through our sharing of God's gifts of time, talent, and treasure, we create relationships that domino into mission, fulfilling Jesus' command that we proclaim the Good News and make disciples. Naming God the owner of all, and ourselves as His managers, should we not assign a holiness to the budgeting and balancing of our time as well as our income?

Try investing in a relationship this week as an act of stewardship of time. Unplug and spend time with a face, not Facebook. How long has it been since you've taken a friend to lunch, hosted the neighbors for dinner, or enjoyed date night with your spouse? Let us worship through the setting of our priorities, putting first love, fellowship, and service, rather than personal gain, self, and leisure. Then wait for the blessings to flow! Share with each other the results of your investment, and keep the connections going!

Theme:

“Follow me” -- John 1:43

Suggested Weekly Readings:

1 Samuel 3: 1- 10; Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6: 12-20; John 1: 43-51

Congregational Challenge:

This week you will go home from worship with a stamped blank card and envelope. You are challenged to write an invitation in the spirit of stewardship of Fellowship to a friend, stranger, neighbor, or family member—to share a meal or just a conversation. Let us invest in the nurture of one another as the Church, a ministry of believers!

Video: I nitiatives of Hope.

See some of the incredible ministries that happen in the Virginia Conference of the UMC, through our giving to the Virginia Conference

Week 3: January 23, 2012

BIblical stewardship is the key to fuel Christ's missions. He commanded us:

"Feed my lambs" (John 21:15)

"Love one another" (John 13:34)

"Make disciples" (Matthew 28:19)

Our congregation celebrates a legacy of sacrificial, grace-filled generosity in support of missions. Thank you Church!

Consider this week your connection with the poor. We feed, clothe, visit, and touch the least, last, and lost in His name! Our attention to mission is worship. It is LOVE! Missions connect us with those Christ loved most - the poor, the hurting, the lonely.

Ponder that connection in your life. Pray for God's leading and conviction in regard to your Stewardship journey. Courage in the Call, fellow stewards.

Theme:

“for the present form of this world is passing away” -- 1 Corinthians 7:31

Suggested Weekly Readings:

Jonah 3: 1-5,10; Psalm 62:5-12; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20

Congregational Challenge:

How do you engage with the poor? This is a vital aspect of Christ’s Ministry. We, as His Disciples, are Called to love the least, last, and lost in our time and place. This week, take home the mission booklet and read through it. Be encouraged, be inspired, by the connection and reach of God’s love through the Missions of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Video: Ministry With

Learn about what it means to be in "ministry with" not "ministry to" those in need.

Week 4: January 29, 2012

This week give some real thought to your Stewardship Goals for 2012. We will consecrate these Goals today during worship. As we near the end of our Epiphany journey, remember the 5 areas of Discipleship in which we will seek to grow: worship, small group participation, doing mission, and giving. Let the Holy Spirit guide our hearts and minds as we serve Him as stewards of all His gifts, not only treasure, but time, talent, and of His “manifold grace.”

Theme:

“…He taught them as one having authority…” Mark 1:22

Suggested Weekly Readings:

Deuteronomy 18: 15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1: 21-28

Congregational Challenge:

This week give some real thought to your Stewardship Goals for 2012. We will consecrate these Goals Sunday during worship. As we near the end of our Epiphany journey, remember the 5 areas of Discipleship in which we will seek to grow: worship, small group participation, doing mission, and giving. Let the Holy Spirit guide our hearts and minds as we serve Him as stewards of all His gifts, not only treasure, but time, talent, and of His “manifold grace.”

Video: The Plate. God uses our tithes and offering to meet the needs of our church, our community, and the world.