Pastor's Blog: Thank You For Your Generosity
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“Love God. Live with grace and generosity.” If I ever had any doubts that our church had bought in to our congregational mission statement, those doubts were washed away by the incredible end of the year response to our ministry aims and objectives. During the last month of December we received over 20% of our total gifts for 2017, and the last week alone saw over 11% come in as your response to my “final appeal.” Words cannot adequately express my deep appreciation for what so many of you did to help us be in a position to fulfill our ministry plans.
For example, we are now in a position to provide full funding of over $514,000 to our church’s missions ministry, while providing for important programming for children, youth, and the full spectrum of adult ministry. Moreover, our worship ministry was enhanced by the special accompanists and orchestra guests at important seasonal services. None of this would have been possible without your sacrificial giving throughout the year and especially in these last weeks.
That’s why I’m excited about the possibilities that are before us in the coming year. We have bold plans for some new initiatives in 2018 that I believe will help us further Christ’s cause in significant ways in the months ahead, most of which will be in the area of implementing our 2020 Vision plan. So, your continued faithfulness in your financial stewardship will be critical as we move forward in making vision become reality in our church.
For now, however, let me simply say thank you for your commitment to the Kingdom. I trust your generosity has brought you great fulfillment to this point and that your gracious dedication will continue to unleash God’s favor in even greater ways this coming year.
“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else” (1 Corinthians 9:13).