Now that we have identified our vision for the future, it is time to resource the vision with our prayers, our spiritual commitments and our financial gifts.  This is the focus of the series we began last week.  

I want to remind everyone that on Sunday, April 29th, we will be making our commitments to Christ and the Church as we indicate our financial decisions to fund God's work here at Sugarloaf.  If we are to realize the goals God has set before us, it will require all of us loving God sincerely and giving to God sacrificially!  There are three aspects of this year's Giving Campaign that I want to highlight.

1.  This year's commitments begin immediately when your pledge is submitted.   This is different from the past when we have asked for pledges and then the actual giving period doesn't start until July.  To eliminate confusion we are establishing the giving period  to begin immediately and continue through next year's commitment time.


2.  This year we are asking everyone who is able to bring a "First Fruits Offering" to present at the altar in addition to the pledge card.  The biblical idea of the first fruits was to bring to God the very first (best) of the harvest and offer it as an expression of love and worship to God.  What are we asking in a First Fruits Offering?  We are asking that we bring the very best we can as a "first installment" of our pledge to present on April 29th.  In other words, how much of your pledge could you actually give up front?  This offering could significantly position us to enter the new ministry year with a great start! Offerings received on the 29th will apply to your "our Passion. His Purpose" pledge for 2012/2013.

3.  Please remember that this year there will NOT be a separate Capital Campaign as in the past.  Our debt service will be rolled into a unified budget and therefore the commitments we make on April 29th will have to meet both our ministry and building expenses!  Many of you have been giving to the "Together We Can" campaign the last few years. THANK YOU!  If you are able, we are asking you to pray about converting that giving to your regular giving or, in essence, combining the two.  


I know this is a lot to think about, but the issues we are discussing are hugely important ones!  We are counting on the faithful members and friends of Sugarloaf UMC to help us meet or exceed our goals!  I hope your decision will be guided by a desire to love God sincerely and to give to God sacrificially.  If all of us do that, great things are in store for this church and our ministry!


Stuart