Membership Vows: Giving with Resurrection Joy

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It is the season for GOOD NEWS…but let me give it to you straight first.

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We apparently have developed a pigeon problem.

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They are congregating in our steeple. Some of you may have already received a little gift or sign of their presence on your car one Sunday afternoon. My fear is that we may soon begin to hear them coo in the middle of our hymn singing.

Before informing you of this mess, the trustees have tried: reflective tape, netting, aluminum spikes and even a model scarecrow that looks suspiciously like Pastor Josh fully decked out with clerical collar and blue jeans…but nothing seems to be convincing these fowl friends to fly elsewhere.

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The other day, I stood in the parking lot next to Bob Tuttle and Darryl Lam. We were looking up at our nested guests scratching our heads trying to figure out our next move. That’s when I heard Jean Krueger yell from the front door, “Why don’t you make them members and get it over with!”

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So we did…and they haven’t been back since. Easter changes how we see everything—including how we give.

In the weeks following Easter morning, the church leans into joy. The tomb is empty. Death does not get the final word. And life—real, abundant, hope‑filled life—is loose in the world. That spirit of resurrection joy is at the heart of the United Methodist vow to support the church through our gifts. (prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness)

The Apostle Paul reminds the church that generosity flows best when it comes from the heart, not from pressure or guilt. God delights in giving that is joyful, thoughtful, and freely chosen. Easter reminds us why: God has already given extravagantly. New life was poured out for us before we ever thought to give anything in return.

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That’s what the vow of “Gifts” looks like when it’s shaped by resurrection. Giving isn’t about meeting a quota or checking a box. It’s about responding to grace with gratitude. Our gifts—whether financial, relational, or practical—become signs of new life when they’re offered with joy.

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And yes, generosity in church can still come with humor. Someone once joked that the difference between Easter and stewardship season is that at Easter the lilies come back from the dead, and during stewardship season we hope the budget does too. (Thankfully, God seems to love both miracles.)

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Our gifts support ministries that proclaim resurrection every week: worship that renews hope, missions that restore dignity, learning that grows faith, and care that reaches people when life feels heavy. Each gift—large or small—is transformed by God into something life‑giving.

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As we continue to celebrate Easter, may our giving reflect the joy we proclaim. Not reluctant or forced, but cheerful. Not fearful, but trusting. After all, when you believe in the God who lives with death behind him, you know that whatever you give in love is never truly lost.

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Christ is risen—and so is our generosity.

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Christ is Risen Indeed,

Pastor Josh