Christmas Mission Offering

"[You are to] do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life" (1 Timothy 6:18-19) 

The following is a copy of a letter from myself and our Finance Chairperson Judy Jones that our whole congregation will receive by mail this week (if not already).  I share it again in the interest of encouraging your participation...

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Dear ECUMC Family & Friends,

These are challenging yet exciting times in our personal lives, in the life of our country and in the life of our Church as well.  When we read the newspaper, watch TV or surf the internet, or even review our investment statements we are often getting bad news.  So, let us instead share some incredibly good news about how your investment in God’s work through your church enabled us to achieve its mission in 2013.  Your gifts have enabled us to…

****Reach over 350 people each week through our three principle worship services, Wednesday Night Supper, and other opportunities for fellowship and networking  …GATHERING to embrace God and others

***Impact over 400 people weekly through 40+ small groups and community ministry resources, including continued significant growth of our Lighthouse Academy Daycare Center… GROWING in faith, hope and love

***Welcome 55 new members and over 175 regular guests (topping 1000 members for the first time in our history), and be in ministry to over 500 people weekly through various local church mission ministries, and to even more through special opportunities like Mountain T.O.P., annual Great Day of Service, M.U.S.T., and others  …GOING into our world to serve and share Jesus

Consequently, the Christmas season is an ideal time for us to pray about ways we can share in year-end giving that will make a real difference in people’s lives:

(1) First, regarding our 2013 General Ministry Fund, we celebrate your faithfulness this year that has enabled us to stay “in the black” nearly all year long.  Thank you!!!  But even if you are up to date on your annual financial commitment, don’t forget that now is a great time to make additional gifts in order to take advantage of current tax laws.

(2) As one idea for this, we are excited to continue the new ECUMC Christmas tradition of designating offerings collected at our Christmas Eve services as a Christmas Mission Offering. This year the focus of that offering will be Family Promise of Cobb County, a new ministry with which we will be partnering in 2014 to help eradicate homelessness here in our own community – the ministry is described in the attached brochure HERE.  We ask that, in the spirit of Christmas, you prayerfully consider giving “over and above” your general fund tithe or gifts to this special offering during one of our three Christmas Eve services (or before if you won't be in town).  Please mark your checks/envelopes “Christmas Mission Offering”, or donate online HERE.

Thank you for your faithfulness in praying for, attending, serving in, and giving financially to His Church this year.  We trust that God will honor your faithfulness as you continue to grow in His kingdom.  We wish you, your family, and all your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2014!