First Fruits – Giving to God the first of all that God has given us, with praise and thanksgiving.

Giving God our First Fruits

Blesses God, because:
• It ensures that God is recognized and thanked as the provider for all things in our life
Blesses you, because it:
• Gives priority, to your giving to God – giving of the first fruits that God has blessed you with
• Makes your commitments to God and your church easy
• Helps maintain your commitments even when you cannot attend
• It is a convenient way to give
Blesses your church, because it:
• Makes it easier to rely on church budgets
• Creates a stable revenue stream for ministry
• Increases opportunity for ministry and meets the needs of God’s people
• Reduces work for ministry partners and staff (less counting, no checks to deposit, less handling of cash, etc.)
• Is secure, accurate, timely and efficient

First Fruits Electronic Giving Form (Link to pdf) – Please print out form, fill in information requested, sign, and drop off at member services, or send to: Trinity UCC – Member Services, 400 W. 95th Street, Chicago, IL 60628

Questions and Answers

Q Do I need a computer to give in this manner?
A No, the church will handle the processing of your giving.

Q Should I give my entire offering though Electronic Direct Giving?
A You should give the amount that you are comfortable giving consistently. Giving is a faith act.

Q I am concerned about my bank information?
A Bonded church employees and the Church Trustees are handling your information just as they have handled that information on your checks.

Q Can I increase the amount I give?
A Yes, simply fill out a new form with the new information. It takes three (3) days to make any changes. The amount will remain the same unless you change the amount.

Q I have questions during the week, who can I call?
A Tonya Andrews 773-966-1521 of the Accounting Department.

Q How does this help my church?
A Your giving happens when you are here or not, just like the utility bills that the church pays.

Q Can I give on the church’s website or my bank’s website?
A1 Yes, you can give on the church’s website. This will permit you to change the amount that you give and when you give.
A2 Yes, you can give on your bank’s website. What will happen is that your bank will take your money when you give on the date that you give. Your bank will then send a check by U.S. mail to the church for processing. The church will wait until the bank check clears in order to have collected funds available to the church.