Dear Worshipper:
In late October of last year, we began using a variety of methods to inform you that we were running around $470,000 behind our budgeted needs for the year. Immediately, you, the church body responded in a profound, humbling, sacrificial, magnanimous, and jaw-dropping fashion. From November 7th to the end of the year giving was the greatest is has ever been:
- November 7 – $131,692
- November 14 – $103,201
- November 21 – $168,128
- November 28 – $139,896
- December 5 – $154,277
- December 12 – $172,749
- December 19 – $251,768
- December 26 – $126,554
- December 31 – $204,624
With a weekly need of $106,459.95, you can readily see our giving literally blew past this, leaving us with no budget deficit. We ended 2021 with giving of $5,665,009, which amounts to $129,092 above our budget of $5,535,917.
As I think about this, I must say how proud I am to serve the Lord with people who love Him, desire to generously support His kingdom work, and are not afraid to seek His kingdom first, knowing that He blesses those who live accordingly (Matthew 6:33). Your tithes and offerings are, also, not just an expression of your loving obedience to Christ, they are a living memorial of your love for others and of your desire to see His gospel and Word impact our world for Him. It is because of this that we are excited about moving forward with an approved budget for this year of $6,604,350 which amounts to a weekly need of $127,007.
Looking back to how you substantially supported God’s work in 2021, and what our new ministry needs are for 2022, we do so with great hope and excitement because we know Paul’s doxology at the close of Ephesians 3 rings so true:
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3)
The Lord did an “exceedingly abundant” work in and through you this last year, and for that we are most grateful. Looking forward with eyes of faith, we anticipate Him to continue to position us to do more for Him than we could have ever imagined.
So, thank you. Thank you for your selfless service and support of this great, godly, and growing church body. Thank you, also, for being patient as we have attempted to keep our various ministries functioning during the demands of Covid. We have had many challenges, but it is our goal to keep our ministries viable as we have healthy volunteers.
Now, may His face shine upon you, may He give you His peace, and may this new year find each of us doing our part to make sure this church and our lives are that bright, shining light upon a hill (Matthew 5:13-16).
Blessings on behalf of the Council of Elders,
Pastor Marty
