How Much Should I Give?

It’s a question we all wrestle with at some point: How much should I give?

For me, the answer begins not with numbers, but with priorities. Before I plan vacations, dinners out, hobbies, or think about a new car, I prayerfully decide how much of my annual income I intend to give. And then I build my life around that decision. In other words, I make God first.

It’s not about guilt or obligation. It’s about gratitude. Scripture says, “Each person should give what they have decided in their heart to give—not reluctantly or under compulsion—for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Frankly, I don’t give as little as possible just to ease my conscience. I give as much as I can so that I can feel free—free from fear, free from scarcity, free to live with open hands and an open heart. And honestly, I never want to look at my life and realize I’ve invested more in my jiu jitsu lessons or Italian vacations than in the mission and ministry of the Gospel. For me, God simply means more than either of those things.

Giving reminds me that all I have belongs to God. It helps me trust that God will provide. And it keeps me grounded in gratitude rather than anxiety.

How much should you give? Only you and God can answer that. But I invite you to make that decision prayerfully—before everything else—so that your giving becomes not what’s left over, but what comes first.

Because when God comes first, everything else finds its place.

Click here to make your annual offering.

In Christ’s love,

“Discover the Joy of Sacred Music:

Your Heart, Our Choir, One Voice”

CHOIR RECURITING IS 24/7/365: COME SING WITH US!

• ESPECIALLY….

• CHILDREN – ALL AGES: Angels Choir and Family Choir
• TENORS: are you that rare breed of man with a TENOR voice: …always can use a couple more!

ORGANIZED SINGING/MUSIC! …aka CHOIRS! ….or BANDS!

PLEASE NOTE: the combination of God’s sacred Word, actively serving, “doing”, in community with others, ALL focused on achieving one goal – there is a high probability you may come face to face with the Living God!

CHOIR TRAINING PROGRAM (primarily for Choir Members – but open to ANYONE!)

• Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 PM –vocal / reading music / Worship & Liturgy training.

ST. MICHAEL’S FAMILY CHOIR

• ALL AGES! Kids who LOVE to sing (1^st/2^nd Grade good readers thru High School), plus any singing parents, all the way up thru Retired Folks, singing together as a FAMILY!
• Wednesdays: 6:30-8:00 (Chamber Singers – a small group of Adults who enjoy more demanding material - continues thru 8:30’ish)
• Sundays: 9:15 thru end of 10:15 Service

ANGELS CHOIR

• Ages Birth thru 1^st Grade – with parents
• Wednesdays, 5:00-5:30

ST. MICHAEL’S BAND

• Keyboard/drums/bass-guitar… LOOKING FOR…
• Flute, saxophone, other solo-type instruments, lead male/female vocalist

CARILONNEURS

• Folks who can read and play a melody “one-finger” at a minimum
• Play before and after 10:15 services – Funerals too

JOINING ANY CHOIR/GROUP:

1. Show up ONE time – observe or join in! ….you had a good time?
2. Try for a month
3. Still GREAT! Then stay! ….or, you’ve realized “this is not my cup of tea”

ALL CHOIRS BACK – REGULAR SCHEDULE: COME SING WITH US!

• REHEARSALS ON WEDNESDAYS
• SUNDAYS

NEW MEMBERS, BIRTH THRU RETIRED, ALWAYS WELCOME!

• CONTACT ANDREW FOR DETAILS 

MUSIC DEPARTMENT:

THIS WEEK:

Sunday, 11/2/25 – REGULAR CHOIR

• 9:15 – Rehearsal in choir room
• 9:40 – move to church to practice with organ
• 10:15 – SERVICE
• 11:40 – UK rehearsal set-up
• 12:15 – UK Rehearsal (continues each Sunday thru Dec 21)
• 5:00 - Chamber Singers Rehearsal in the Church
• 7:00 PM – ALL SAINTS CONCERT

Wednesday, 11/5/25 – Rehearsals/Training

• 5:00 – ANGELS CHOIR
• 5:30 – Music Reading and Vocal Training
• 6:30 – St. Michael’s Family Choir
• 8:00’ish – Chamber Singers 

NEED MORE INFO? 

Contact Andrew (email: andrew@stmichaelschurch.com / office: 407-843-8448 x.246 / cell: 407-619-0967) ALSO to join the “Choir Training Program” session either in person OR AT HOME!

This week is “food taken from bags and put into bins / DELIVER!” week. We took 634.4 lbs to Lake Silver and Edgewater Schools for October! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED THIS MONTH!

CHANGES FOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER RE HOLIDAYS


• November Bag Day: Sunday, Nov 9 – to have food for those 
  in need before Thanksgiving
  
• December Bag Day: Sunday, Dec 7 – ditto before the Christmas Break

PLEASE NOTE: in regards to this ministry, for those not presently attending church, and maybe watching online, if you’d like to participate when we are not actively in the week of “bag filling and collecting”, it is possible to arrange for AMAZON and/or PUBLIX to deliver food to the church.

ST. MICHAEL'S PRAYER LIST

Those who have commended themselves to our prayers:

Bill L., Patrick H., Perrin, Sharon, Steve C., Tim, Toby A., Will

Long-Term Prayer List:

Alexa C., Alyssa R., Andrew, Angie, Ashley T., Austin E., Austin S., Benny W., Betsy C., Beth, Brigid, Brittney R., Bryan Family, Cannon, Carolyn, Caryl, Cary C., Charlie B., Charlotte, Chris M., Chris P., Claire B., Colton, Conklin/ Hiller Family, Connor R., Curt. R., Cynthia L., Darrell, David B., Deirdre E., Ella, Elijah, Emma, Emily, Eugenia, Felicia, Gary B., Gary M., George T., Gladys M., I Graham, Gylla, Henry R., Isabella, Jacob B., Jan, Jason, Jeffrey, Jett B., Joyce B., Joanne O., Joseph T., Jimmie, Joe, Joe H., Joey K., John M., Justin, Karen C., Karen E., Karen H., Karen M., Kathy G., Kristel, Kris R., Kyle, Lavelle B., Linda, Linda A., Linda T., Lisa L., Lola, Lucille, Macauly D., Marci A., Margie S., Marion S., Mario, Mary, Mary C., Mary Lu, Matt P., Melissa, Meredith and Family, Martin, Nathan W., Oliver, Pam S., Paul, Paula, Pauline, Phil, Polly, Rebecca, Russ R., Ryan, Sally C., Sam Sarah, Shaun B., Sony, Sonia, Stephanie G., Steve, Susana C., Susan A., Susie D., The Allen Family, Tim, Tracy, Tripp, Vaughn, Virginia C., Wayne, William.

Those serving in the armed forces and in harm’s way:

Aaron D., Bradley H., Carolyn H., Chad S., Christopher E., Hank H., Hope H., Jonah H., Kenneth K., Ben V., Nick R., Will M., Stuart R.

Birthdays:

30: Suzanne Thomas, Cheryl James, 31: Kathy Cardwell, 1: Paige Mahnken, 2: Andrew Caruso, Natalie Fallas, Parks Bennett, 3: Sally Kennedy, Foster Leger, Kate Jamison, Eric LeBron, 4: Kacy Tramell, 5: Courtney Stearns, Drew Sommerville, Jon Tillman, William Crannick

Anniversaries:

4: David and Patricia Gay

A Gentle Reminder About the Prayer List

If you or your loved one has experienced healing and no longer needs to be on the prayer list, we ask that you let us know. It is a joy to give thanks to God for the blessings of restored health and life, and your update helps us make room to lift others in prayer who are in need of support from the St. Michael’s community.

To place someone on the prayer list, please get in touch with Ashleigh in the parish office at ashleigh@stmichaelschurch.com

CLERGY AND MINISTERIAL STAFF

The Rev. Rick Luoni, Rector

The Rev. Greg Favazza, Assisting Priest

Andrew J. Walker, Director of Music

Ella Eagen, Assistant Director of Music

Mike Robertson, Director of Outreach

Tiffany Stieger, Director of Children’s Ministry

Melanie Olivier, Director of Preschool

Mark T. Cole, Director of Youth Ministries

VESTRY

Senior Warden: Freddy Clayton

Junior Warden: Christian Leger

Louis Gafford

Eric James

Jordan Cook Evans

Courtney Hazouri

Brian Rush

Ashley Bennett

Eleanor Ackermann

Basia Andraka-Christou

Matt Vanture