Our Goal: $279,000
Pledges Received: $276,030
# of pledges: 79
99% of our goal
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Psalm 111
Hallelujah!
I give thanks to God with everything I've got--
Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.
God's works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study--endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out.
His miracles are his memorial--
This God of Grace, this God of Love.
He gave food to those who fear him,
He remembered to keep his ancient promise.
He proved to his people that he could do what he said:
Hand them the nations on a platter--a gift!
He manufactures truth and justice;
All his products are guaranteed to last--
Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true:
He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his Covenant kept forever.
He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
The good life begins in the fear of God--
Do that and you'll know the blessing of God.
His Hallelujah lasts forever!
I give thanks to God with everything I've got--
Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.
God's works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study--endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out.
His miracles are his memorial--
This God of Grace, this God of Love.
He gave food to those who fear him,
He remembered to keep his ancient promise.
He proved to his people that he could do what he said:
Hand them the nations on a platter--a gift!
He manufactures truth and justice;
All his products are guaranteed to last--
Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true:
He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his Covenant kept forever.
He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
The good life begins in the fear of God--
Do that and you'll know the blessing of God.
His Hallelujah lasts forever!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Friday Morning Update
This is the update from Friday Morning - though I didn't get it posted until this afternoon.
Our Goal: $279,000
Pledges Received: $253,450
# of Pledges: 63
nearly 91% of our goal
Our meeting this morning had a different tone: one of praise to God. While we are not done yet, we realized importance of grateful thanksgiving for the miracles God is able to make happen. Yes, we have 9% to go, but instead of anxious imploring, we prayed in joyful recognition of the 91% and the marvel that is.
Our Goal: $279,000
Pledges Received: $253,450
# of Pledges: 63
nearly 91% of our goal
Our meeting this morning had a different tone: one of praise to God. While we are not done yet, we realized importance of grateful thanksgiving for the miracles God is able to make happen. Yes, we have 9% to go, but instead of anxious imploring, we prayed in joyful recognition of the 91% and the marvel that is.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Wednesday Update
Our Goal: $279,000
Pledges Received: $245,170
Number of Pledges: 55
88% of our goal
So many have already been so generous, please help us reach our goal. Your pledge may be the one that puts us over the top and makes all of the other pledges complete.
Back to the baseball analogy - let's bring that runner home!
Pledges Received: $245,170
Number of Pledges: 55
88% of our goal
So many have already been so generous, please help us reach our goal. Your pledge may be the one that puts us over the top and makes all of the other pledges complete.
Back to the baseball analogy - let's bring that runner home!
Monday, August 21, 2006
Monday Morning Update
And then came the total from the pledge cards received in the offering plate and after church:
$237,470
85% of our goal
51 pledges
Please continue to pray.
$237,470
85% of our goal
51 pledges
Please continue to pray.
Prayer
Dear God, be with us every step of the way as we pray and work toward our goal for expansion.
You know the needs of our Church, and You have led us to engage in this campaign for much needed funds.
Help us to keep in mind that it is your work.
Give us a deep desire to want your will in all that we do. May our endeavors for this campaign draw us closer in community and stronger in our commitment to serve You and your people most in need.
Inspire us to be as dedicated in prayer for our goal as we are generous with our resources.
Make us ever grateful for all the blessings you pour into our lives.
Help us to be aware that your grace is always with us, and without You we can do nothing.
We pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen
You know the needs of our Church, and You have led us to engage in this campaign for much needed funds.
Help us to keep in mind that it is your work.
Give us a deep desire to want your will in all that we do. May our endeavors for this campaign draw us closer in community and stronger in our commitment to serve You and your people most in need.
Inspire us to be as dedicated in prayer for our goal as we are generous with our resources.
Make us ever grateful for all the blessings you pour into our lives.
Help us to be aware that your grace is always with us, and without You we can do nothing.
We pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Sunday Update - Praise Be
At the end of 2nd service, the total came to over $202K!
72% of our goal.
Thank you to those who returned pledge cards this morning.
We are well on our way with only 12 more days left in the Growing With Faith drive.
Now, for this last "little" bit... keep praying.
72% of our goal.
Thank you to those who returned pledge cards this morning.
We are well on our way with only 12 more days left in the Growing With Faith drive.
Now, for this last "little" bit... keep praying.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
A Sense of Urgency
During our committee meeting Friday morning we were filled with a jolt of energy when we realized:
There are only 13 days left before we are to close on the house*!
Our last update shows that we are only at 57% of our goal.
Many visits have been made, but there are still many pledge cards that have not yet been returned. While we appreciate that you have been asked for sacrificial gifts and are thankful for your careful consideration, we need to know where we stand. Whatever you give is graciously accepted.
If you still have your pledge card, please bring it to church on Sunday and drop it in the replica house. We will announce at the close of each service our grand totals . (For those of you attending the 1st service, the total after the 2nd service will be posted here as soon as I get home from church.)
Our goal is to round that $200,000 mark on Sunday.
If we all do our parts, we can.
Please continue to pray.
*Please note that while we are closing on a "house," what this house really represents is church life : the ability to include seniors, youth, and those needing private counseling (or intimate conversation) in church programs.
There are only 13 days left before we are to close on the house*!
Our last update shows that we are only at 57% of our goal.
Many visits have been made, but there are still many pledge cards that have not yet been returned. While we appreciate that you have been asked for sacrificial gifts and are thankful for your careful consideration, we need to know where we stand. Whatever you give is graciously accepted.
If you still have your pledge card, please bring it to church on Sunday and drop it in the replica house. We will announce at the close of each service our grand totals . (For those of you attending the 1st service, the total after the 2nd service will be posted here as soon as I get home from church.)
Our goal is to round that $200,000 mark on Sunday.
If we all do our parts, we can.
Please continue to pray.
*Please note that while we are closing on a "house," what this house really represents is church life : the ability to include seniors, youth, and those needing private counseling (or intimate conversation) in church programs.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Luke 11
from The Message
One day he was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, "Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples."
So he said, "When you pray, say,
Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil."
Then he said, "Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don't have a thing on hand.'
"The friend answers from his bed, 'Don't bother me. The door's locked; my children are all down for the night; I can't get up to give you anything.'
"But let me tell you, even if he won't get up because he's a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he'll finally get up and get you whatever you need.
"Here's what I'm saying:
Ask and you'll get;
Seek and you'll find;
Knock and the door will open.
"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing--you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?"
One day he was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, "Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples."
So he said, "When you pray, say,
Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil."
Then he said, "Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don't have a thing on hand.'
"The friend answers from his bed, 'Don't bother me. The door's locked; my children are all down for the night; I can't get up to give you anything.'
"But let me tell you, even if he won't get up because he's a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he'll finally get up and get you whatever you need.
"Here's what I'm saying:
Ask and you'll get;
Seek and you'll find;
Knock and the door will open.
"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing--you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?"
Monday, August 14, 2006
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Prayer
Dear God, be with us every step of the way as we pray and work toward our goal for expansion.
You know the needs of our Church, and You have led us to engage in this campaign for much needed funds.
Help us to keep in mind that it is your work.
Give us a deep desire to want your will in all that we do. May our endeavors for this campaign draw us closer in community and stronger in our commitment to serve You and your people most in need.
Inspire us to be as dedicated in prayer for our goal as we are generous with our resources.Make us ever grateful for all the blessings you pour into our lives.
Help us to be aware that your grace is always with us, and without You we can do nothing.
We pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen
You know the needs of our Church, and You have led us to engage in this campaign for much needed funds.
Help us to keep in mind that it is your work.
Give us a deep desire to want your will in all that we do. May our endeavors for this campaign draw us closer in community and stronger in our commitment to serve You and your people most in need.
Inspire us to be as dedicated in prayer for our goal as we are generous with our resources.Make us ever grateful for all the blessings you pour into our lives.
Help us to be aware that your grace is always with us, and without You we can do nothing.
We pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Romans 8
from The Message translation
All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what's enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Beverly Bell (Spiritual Emphasis Chair) read this to open one of our Friday meetings.
All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what's enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Beverly Bell (Spiritual Emphasis Chair) read this to open one of our Friday meetings.
Pledge Update
Our Goal: $279,000
*
Pledges Received: $146,400
*
52% of the total goal
*
Please continue to pray.
*
Pledges Received: $146,400
*
52% of the total goal
*
Please continue to pray.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Our Committe and Volunteers
Executive Committee:
Campaign Chair: Pat Skinner
Pastor: Maggie Lauterer
Leadership Gifts Team: Gary Ray, Alex Campbell & Bob McFerren
Victory Gifts: Willard Cottrell
Spiritual Development: Beverly Bell
Materials Chair: Thom Koch
Publicity: Britt Kaufmann
Hospitality: Alice Cottrell
Treasurer/Auditor: Pat Skinner
Consultant: Chip Summers
A Special Thanks To:
The Victory Gifts Team:
Bob McFerren, Willard Cottrell, Suzanne Gavenus, David Speed,
Jim Ludwig, Margie Lang, Warner Anthony & Randy Hembree
(These are the people who will be calling you, visiting with you,
and accepting your three-year pledges to Growing With Faith.)
Rolf Holmsquist
for designing the logo
& building the replica house in the narthex
Lingo got you loco?
Here are a few terms you may have heard already, or will hear in the next few weeks and what they mean in regards to the Growing With Faith campaign:
Leadership Gifts - These are the pledges that have already been gathered from the campaign committee members and others in order to “jump start” the campaign. Think of them like you might a lead-off batter. A lead-off batter isn’t someone who typically hits home-runs. They are people with the capability of getting the game started off on a good foot. Their job is to get the team on base, into scoring position. This, with God’s grace and our prayers, has already been accomplished.
Victory Gifts – These are the pledges, to continue the base-ball analogy, that bring us home. These are the many pledges and gifts that help us finally round that last base and realize our goal. (Have I lapsed into soccer?) The period of time to collect Victory Gifts is short – ending on September 1. So be ready and welcoming when we visit your home to share this church’s dream with you and ask for your generous help.
Leadership Gifts - These are the pledges that have already been gathered from the campaign committee members and others in order to “jump start” the campaign. Think of them like you might a lead-off batter. A lead-off batter isn’t someone who typically hits home-runs. They are people with the capability of getting the game started off on a good foot. Their job is to get the team on base, into scoring position. This, with God’s grace and our prayers, has already been accomplished.
Victory Gifts – These are the pledges, to continue the base-ball analogy, that bring us home. These are the many pledges and gifts that help us finally round that last base and realize our goal. (Have I lapsed into soccer?) The period of time to collect Victory Gifts is short – ending on September 1. So be ready and welcoming when we visit your home to share this church’s dream with you and ask for your generous help.
Kick-Off Banquet
On Wednesday night, many of us gathered at the Town Center for the Kick-Off Banquet. There, after a nice time of food, fellowship and music (by Roberta Whiteside) the particulars of the campaign were laid out.
Our Goal for the Growing With Faith campaign is $279,000.
Gulp.
This number includes the cost of the house, closing, loan, refurnishing/remodeling, campaign, and tithe (so that we alone are not the only beneficiaries of this blessing).
The executive committee and several others have already been approached about their three-year pledges, so that we have already received commitments for $134,000.
Praise God.
But we still have a long way to go. We all must do our parts to make this a reality. And that includes prayer. Please pray the prayer found on this website and the brochure and let us all grow with faith as a result of this campaign.
Thank you all who attended the banquet and thank you to Alice Cottrell for planning the evening.
Our Goal for the Growing With Faith campaign is $279,000.
Gulp.
This number includes the cost of the house, closing, loan, refurnishing/remodeling, campaign, and tithe (so that we alone are not the only beneficiaries of this blessing).
The executive committee and several others have already been approached about their three-year pledges, so that we have already received commitments for $134,000.
Praise God.
But we still have a long way to go. We all must do our parts to make this a reality. And that includes prayer. Please pray the prayer found on this website and the brochure and let us all grow with faith as a result of this campaign.
Thank you all who attended the banquet and thank you to Alice Cottrell for planning the evening.
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