HOW CAN I HELP?

As announced last Sunday, our congregational financial circumstances have become a source of concern due to shortfalls in our collective giving.

At the start of last Sunday we only had around $1,000 in our account (not counting two ear-marked gifts for special memorial projects).

Although last Sunday’s offering of $2,112 will provide a little relief, together we still must give due diligence to help replenish our funds.

A decision was made to forego this quarter’s parking-lot payment, however, one family has generously given $1,000 extra to cover that payment.

As all of us must surely know - - although most of us live quite comfortably our church family is not blessed with any really rich people.

HERE ARE SOME SIMPLE SUGGESTIONS THAT WILL HELP US DO BETTER IN THE DAYS AHEAD IN THIS WONDERFUL GRACE OF GIVING.

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  Let us all (each and every household) realize that we are a vital part of this congregation and we all have a responsibility to share our gifts.

  Let us all strive to give generously and sacrificially (God has blessed us all and it is “more blessed to give than to receive”).

  Some have expressed their intentions to re-evaluate their giving with the goal to try to give a little bit more.

  Let us all aim to give consistently.  If we miss a Sunday, perhaps we could make it our intention to make up that weekly offering if we are able.

  With many of us growing older, perhaps some can make plans to remember the church in our will by leaving a legacy gift.

In the near future, in an effort to make us more cognizant of our financial needs, our treasurer plans to provide a weekly budgetary goal.

On a personal note - - our plan is to remain as your preacher for several years to come.  If the good Lord is willing, and our church family

remains agreeable, we intend in a year or two or preferably three, to tap into social security and subsequently to take a reduction in salary.

This will be a graduated salary reduction that will lessen our congregational expenditures and still provide me with some needed assistance.

Let’s all pray about this matter.  We have a dear church family and we want to remain a light to our community while bringing glory to God! 

                                                                                   Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ