The Wellspring Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church December 2014

Transcription

1 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Is it that time already? It seems we just got up from the Thanksgiving table! Nevertheless, we are embarking on the most meaningful season of the Christian year, preparing ourselves to celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world and reminding ourselves of the hopeful return of Christ! In our Advent study by Adam Hamilton s Not a Silent Night, we are reminded that Advent is a four-week period when Christians pause and say, Let s remember what this is all about. Let s remember who the child is, born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. Let s remember the hope and the promise that come from him. Let s remember who he called us to be and what he called us to do. Let s remember the mission he gave us as we seek to live as Christ-followers. This is the season of remembrance which leads us once again to a stable, a stall and a manger. It is also a season that reminds us Christ will one day come again in glory and Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill The Wellspring Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church December 2014 Pastor Gene Tyson shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth. John Wesley s brother Charles penned these thoughts in this favorite hymn of the church we sing during this season. Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart. Be sure to mark your calendars for all the events happening throughout the church that move us to remember what this season is all about. May we be drawn once again to that manger scene to fall on our knees and worship Jesus Christ our Savior, Lord and soon coming King! See you this Sunday! Pastor Gene Christmas Eve Special Offering This year, your gifts to the FVUMC Christmas offering are going to support Imagine No Malaria. Imagine No Malaria is part of a global effort between The United Methodist Church and our partners. While malaria was eliminated in the U.S. in the 1950 s, in sub-saharan Africa, malaria continues to kill a person every 60 seconds. But there is hope! Since the project began, we have already helped reduce malaria deaths by half by improving the ways people fight the disease Continued on page 7

2 Hospitality: Just Offer Them Jesus And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. Luke 2:16 Anticipating happy worshipers by the hundreds during the seasons of Advent and Christmas, it seemed like a good idea to Google hospitality so that we could all have that definition fresh in our minds and respond accordingly! Here we go: hos pi tal i ty 1. the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. 2. the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way. We try to be fairly conscientious about hospitality around here! Volunteers step up to serve as greeters at the doors to make sure everyone s worship experience gets off to a friendly start. The ushers offer bulletins, information, and carefully maneuver folks along crowded rows to make room for one more. The bakers fill cellophane bags with homemade cookies and bars and tuck them into gift bags to share as our guests make their way out on Sunday mornings. We all try to offer welcoming smiles and sanitized handshakes, extending germ free greetings! We are anticipating company, and we are prepared! Although they were more than likely unprepared, I think Mary and Joseph model the most lovely example of hospitality. 2 They offered such grace to their guests, the shepherds, who showed up unexpectedly at the urging of the angel of the Lord. They let them take a look at God s baby and in the midst of extraordinary circumstances, listened carefully to the shepherds as they told their own amazing story of how they learned of the Christ Child s birth. While the shepherds were empty-handed, their story itself was a treasure to Mary, and she kept it in her heart and pondered it all. Mary and Joseph were not anticipating guests. She had just given birth. There wasn t a good place to tidy up. The floors hadn t been swept and there were no peppermint sticks in the jar to hand out to anybody. Yet, from that handful of verses in Luke chapter two, it appears that Mary and Joseph treated their guests, the shepherds, in a warm, friendly and generous way. They offered them hospitality by sharing Christ. Things do not have to be perfect in our church or in our homes to extend gracious hospitality to guests. Just offer them Jesus. Who knows! Our guests just might leave our church and our homes in the same way the shepherds left the manger.glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard. Peace, Pastor Valerie

3 Christ-Monograms: The Chrismon Tree Chrismons are a type of Christmas tree decoration used in many churches and often in the homes of Christians. Chrismons: CHRISt + MONogram are tree ornaments that proclaim our Lord Jesus Christ through the use of symbols. The symbols used represent a variety of biblical and theological concepts. The evergreen tree symbolizes the eternal life which our Savior has won for us and forms the background for the white and gold Chrismons. White is the liturgical color for Christmas, and suggests the innocence, purity, and perfection of our Savior. It is the color of joy and light. Gold is a symbol for the glory and majesty of God and the Son of God. The Chrismon tree in Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church was started at the First Methodist Church on Main Street. Mrs. Margaret Lane saw a decorated Chrismon tree in Danville, Virginia at the Lutheran church where Chrismons were first developed. Margaret suggested that the United Methodist Women take on the project of making the Chrismons for the entire Christian year series based on Christ s life. Some of the original ornaments are still in use today. Our tree is given by the Seeds of Faith Preschool to the children of the church. Some of the symbols include: Alpha & Omega Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things Triumphant Cross Jesus is triumphant over anything we face in this world Triquetra Trinity of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit Jerusalem Cross Symbolizes the four Gospels and spreading the Gospel to the four corners of the earth Chi-Ro First two letters of the Greek word Christos Icthus The fish is one of the oldest Christian symbols for followers of Christ Fall Projects Brought Strong Support for Missions & Ministries This fall, three projects raised funds supporting a variety of missions and ministries. We celebrate the dedication, time, and support of all who participated Pumpkin Patch Total funds raised - $8, Fall Fair Trade Store Total funds raised - $ Quilting with Faith Total funds raised - $3,435 Appalachian Service Project (ASP) - $620 Boy Scout Troop $252 Columbarium - $392 Covenant Community Garden - $60 Cub Scout Pack $140 Daisy Troop $140 F-V Clothing Closet - $55 F-V Emergency Food Pantry - $500 F-V Homeless Ministry (Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network-WIHN) - $60 F-V Main Street Kitchen - $904 F-V Thanksgiving Meal - $295 Faith Promise (Missions) - $42.19 Girl Scout Troop $364 Girl Scout Troop $252 Girl Scout Troop $28 Girl Scout Troop $133 Heifer International - $513 Kids for Christ (KFC) - $273 Quilting with Faith - $1,730 Seeds of Faith Preschool - $3,430 Southern Wake Faith Community in Action (SWFCA) - $895 Spiritual Spinners - $140 Stop Hunger Now - $180 Windsor Pointe Outreach - $183 Youth Ministries - $721 ZOE Ministry - $200 3

4 Serving & Sharing God Help Our Youth Help Our Neighbors: Operation Share Operation Share is an outreach tradition spearheaded by FVUMC youth. Every year, our church contacts neighborhood school counselors to identify families who are not receiving any aid this Christmas. Over 100 children are served by this ministry! For this to be a success, FVUMC youth need the support of the entire church. Drop off your new, unwrapped toy and book donations to the lobby anytime from Wednesday, 12/10 to Friday, 12/12. The youth organize your book and toy donations on Friday in the classrooms on the adult wing, and the Operation Share store for the invited families is open the morning of Saturday, 12/13 with FVUMC youth helping parents as they shop. Habitat For Humanity Home Dedication The Southwest Wake interfaith coalition of churches will celebrate the dedication of Veronica s new home on Saturday, December 20 at 10:00am. If you would like to attend, please plan to park at Sovereign Church in Apex off of Hwy 55 at 304 Lynch St., Apex, NC. For more information, contact Mark Bethea at mbethea6@ nc.rr.com. 4 Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry December Requests: Jello, Canned Fruit, Instant Potatoes Your Gifts to WIHN Matched by Stewards Fund Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network (WIHN) is asking for donations to help support their vision of ending family homelessness in our county. The WIHN program is based on case management and education, not handouts. Thanks to partnerships throughout Wake County, their success rate is 85% of families who remain in permanent housing a year after leaving the program. If you make a gift by Feb. 1, 2015, the Stewards Fund will match gifts from those who have not given in the past 18 months or from faithful partners who give an increased amount to WIHN. Gifts can be made online at wihn.org or by mailing to Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network, Inc., 903 Method Rd., Raleigh NC Welcoming Our Guests: WIHN Week 1/11-18 Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network is coming to FVUMC Sunday, January 11, 2015 through the morning of Sunday, January 18. Through this ministry, families who are homeless are provided with shelter, meals, case management and educational services. We need people who will set up and break down the rooms, provide meals, stay over night, provide meals, and serve as evening hosts who will be available if the families want to talk or play games. Watch for a sign up board in the lobby with flyers containing details or you may contact Stephen Woods at or sr8694@juno.com. Come and join a team of people who are providing the blessing of Christ s presence for those going through a season of need.

5 Covenant: At the Table Together Recently, I had the privilege of hearing from our Covenant Life Group Facilitators about their groups. The excitement that bubbled up around the room was contagious, as I heard stories about new people who joined the group even in the last two weeks. These new members were welcomed right into the group as if they had always been there, which is the heart of our Covenant experience. If you did not sign up for a group when we started in September, the next 8-week session Living the Covenant begins the week of January 18. You are welcome to sign up and join a Covenant Life Group. I have heard many stories from people who hardly had cracked open a Bible before. They are finding In Our Thoughts and Prayers We offer our sympathy and prayers to: The family & friends of Bill Wright upon his death Barbara Tebo on the death of her niece that their lives are changed as they encounter God and hear God s word for them in the Scriptures. Through Covenant, they have the opportunity to gather around the table with people who have done a lot of Bible study. The relationships that form are amazing, because the experienced person needs the joy-filled perspective of the Bible study rookie. And the rookie needs the wisdom that comes from someone who has studied the Bible a lot. The diversity of our groups is one of the key strengths of Covenant Life Groups at our church. The people of FVUMC have diverse backgrounds. We have people who grew up Catholic, Baptist, with no church, Jewish, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, and some lifelong Methodists. We have people who represent a variety of political perspectives. Yet what s amazing is when we sit down around the table together, we learn incredible things about God with one another. Start the new year out with one commitment: a commitment to learn God in a Covenant Life Group. Ann Hull, Polly Sheets, Doug Jones, Judy Dolan, Kolya Knox, Dona Stanley, Kevin Braswell, Edithe Taylor, Tom Kelly, Dale Sullivan, Cornelia Coble, Vicky Croft, Joan Lesher, Earl & Shirley Bowden, Vicki Bethea & family, the Beth Silveira family, Paige Wallace, Larry Terhune & family, Meredith Kimbro, Tom Myatt, Rebecca Williams, Doris Green, Earlene Stephens, Carol Chambers, Lynn Rosado, David Stuart, Jakob Kish, Debbie Corr, Mario Marchese, Rob Matney, Annette Ragan, Cindy Travers, Iris Brown, Caroline James, Tristan Wachter, Logan Thomas, Bob Pavone, JoAnn Heiser, Dee Chisenhall, Jeff Fox, Emily Ashworth, Craig Judd, Clay King, Jill Zatyko, Sue Simkiss, Virginia McLeod, André Carson, Mary Rose, Bill Young, Bob & Katharine Kinton, Howard Hanmann, Fran Applegarth and PJ Ramsey Grace and peace, Pastor Kevin The three Covenant sections can be read in any order - join the discussion in January! Register online or call the church office at or fvumc.org /covenant-session-2 Young Adults College student wing night Aviator Smokehouse 6:30-8:30 Wednesday, December 17 Questions? kjohnson@fvumc.org 5

6 Celebrating the Season Fair Trade Goodies Make Great Gifts! Fair Trade coffee, tea, cocoa and chocolate are available to purchase in the office. Buying these fairly traded goods leads to better health and lives for farmers in poor areas of the world. Every FVUMC purchase brings a donation to UMCOR by Equal Exchange. Enjoy some fresh coffee, teas, cocoas and chocolates! Women s Christmas Tea All women of the church are invited to the 9th annual Women s Christmas Tea set for Dec. 12 in the centrum beginning at 6:45pm with gathering time and the program from 7:00 9:00 pm. Please sign up in the lobby at the Women s Ministry table or by contacting the church office during the week. Space is limited. Sign up early to reserve your seat. Reservations are required by Sunday, December 7. We would like to continue our tradition of supporting the youth service project Operation Share by providing toys for families in need. Please bring a new unwrapped toy to donate when you attend the Christmas Tea. Annual Holiday Luminary Sale On Sunday 12/14, Boy Scout Troop 320 will be selling holiday luminary kits to brighten your sidewalks and driveway this Christmas Eve. If you are interested in purchasing luminary kits for $10 each, the sale helps support BSA Troop 320 in its activities. Each kit includes 10 candles, plastic candle cups, white bags, assembly instructions and sand. Look for the Scouts at the side entrances! For more information please contact Jim Frink at Christian Season Calendars Available The new Salt of the Earth: A Christian Seasons Calendar 2014/2015 have arrived and are available for sale ($15) in the church office. The beginning of the Advent season is the beginning of the new Christian year. These calendars are a wonderful way to stay mindful of the Christian seasons and a way to enable the re-telling of the life and story of Jesus Christ. Poinsettias You are invited to purchase a poinsettia In Honor or In Memory of a loved one. The poinsettias will decorate the Centrum platform through Advent and the Christmas Eve worship services. Poinsettias may be picked up following the 11pm service. The cost for each is $10. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia, make checks payable to FVUMC, and note Poinsettias on the memo line. Please print the name(s) on the form below and return to the church office or via the offering plate: Name: Phone: Donation Amount: $ 6 In Honor of: In Memory of:

7 December Worship Highlights Saturday, December 6 4:00 pm Kidz NPraise Christmas Musical, Isaiah Jones and the Seekers of the Lost Christmas Treasure 5:00pm Church-Wide Pancake Supper 5:30pm Birthday Party for Jesus Sunday, December 7 8:00 & 11:00am Worship Sounds of the Season featuring the FVUMC Instruments of Praise Sunday, December 14 8:00 Worship Lessons & Carols 9:30 & 11:00 am Worship - Christmas Cantata, Christmas Makes Everything New featuring the FVUMC Combined Choirs and Praise Band Friday, December 19 7:00pm Blue Christmas Service (See below for details) Sunday, December 21 8:00 & 11:00 am Worship Sounds of the Season featuring our handbell choirs Sunday, December 28 8:00 Worship with Communion 9:30 & 11:00 am Generations Worship (no children s or youth Sunday school) Blue Christmas Service Friday, December 19 7:00pm in the Centrum The Christmas season is filled with joy, laughter, parties and the expectation of children receiving gifts on Christmas morning. For many of us, however, Christmas is not filled with laughter and joy. Rather some of the days of this season are filled with loneliness, painful memories, sadness and grief. Our Blue Christmas service is a time to join together in acknowledging the bitter sweetness of the Christmas season. This service gives us the opportunity to share and support one another in the range of feelings that come with Christmas. If you find yourself alone through grief, away from family, friends or other losses that cause this season to be more blue than merry, then join us as we share one another s sadness for a time. It is good to be with those who know how you feel, too. Christmas Eve ª ª 3:30 pm Children s Nativity Worship Including music from Kidz NPraise, a Spontaneous Christmas Pageant & Holy Communion ª ª 5:30 pm Contemporary Candlelight Worship and Holy Communion, led by the FVUMC Praise Team. Childcare available ª ª 6:30 7:30 pm Sounds of the Season featuring Souly Brass at the Fountain ª ª 7:30 pm Traditional Worship Featuring the FVUMC Combined Choirs, Communion & Candlelight ª ª 11:00 pm Traditional Worship Featuring Communion & Candlelight Christmas Eve Special Offering from page 1 using bed nets, providing access to diagnostic tests and medicine, draining standing water, and improving sanitation. United Methodists are committed to bring an end to death and suffering from malaria through Imagine No Malaria. The NC Conference has made a commitment to raise $1 million in the Conference year The FVUMC mission team is matching dollar-for-dollar our Christmas offering up to $5,000 for our part in this outreach. For more information go to imaginenomalaria.org. 7

8 Praise, Pancakes, and a Party! Mark your calendars for the Kidz NPraise Christmas Musical, Pancake Supper, and Birthday Party for Jesus on Saturday, December 6! 4pm Music Ministries Kidz NPraise musical Isaiah Jones and the Seekers of the Lost Christmas Treasure. Free admission, nursery care provided. 5pm Pancake Supper hosted by the United Methodist Men. Tickets available in the church lobby on Sunday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. You may also pay online. $4 for individual, $7 for a couple, $12 for a family (up to six people) 5:30pm Birthday Party for Jesus hosted by Children s Ministries. Free admission. Interactive family event where families welcome in the Christmas season with crafts and games. Hope to see you there! Children & Family Ministries Family Advent Calendar This year, we re offering an online resource to help you and your family anticipate the celebration of Christ s birth by focusing on the true meaning of the season. If you would like to be on the list for the Family Advent Calendar, please contact Amanda Rackley (arackley@fvumc.org). You can also view it on the Children s Ministry facebook page, Quay Kidz (facebook.com/quaykidz).don t miss this opportunity to count down the days to Christmas by participating in meaningful activities that will help your family grow in faith together! Who s in the Spotlight? Congratulating Camden and the Fall 2014 Fuquay-Varina Bengals for being the Triangle Select Tournament runners-up! Please let Amanda Rackley (arackley@fvumc.org) know what great things your children 8 are doing! Seeds of Faith Preschool Shares God s Love Seeds of Faith Preschool has been busy helping others in November. We put together boxes of toys for needy children in other countries, and we shared our loved books with children in Wake County schools who do not have many books. In December, we are collecting child-friendly snacks & lunch foods to give to the F-V Emergency Food Bank so children may continue to have enough to eat while school is closed during the holidays. How blessed we are to have families who are teaching their children how to love & share with others! Have a wonderful Christmas! All the Staff at your Seeds of Faith Preschool

9 Youth & Family Ministries Lifeline T-shirts Tell the Story of New Life in God You may have noticed the new cardinal red Lifeline t-shirts the youth have been wearing since Pilgrimage, when our shirts were unveiled. or you may have seen Pastor Gene sporting his shirt that Sunday to support the youth! These shirts were designed by two of our youth, Alexis Jones and Corinne Gregson, with the help of our Director of Communications, Julie Brown. Together, this team came up with a shirt that tells you much about Lifeline this year: Let s Get Real is our Lifeline theme for this school year, with our youth group looking at the very real topics of sin, salvation, and growth in the Christian life. The artwork has a distressed look to give it a worn and real look. God s place is central to our lives. That s why the triquetra, a traditional symbol for our Triune God, takes center place in bold white on the back of the shirt. Sin, while defeated through Christ, is still a reality in this life. A small apple represents sin and is found on the ground below the tree. Our new life in God is represented by the Tree of Life. This tree (an image found in Psalm 1 and Revelation 22) reminds us that those who trust in God are able to live a rich new life rooted and growing in Christ. We are placing a second order of shirts this month. If you are interested in ordering one, the sign up is available through Dec. 7. Contact Bobby Rackley at brackley@ fvumc.org. Lifeline: Coffeehouse Series Let s Get Real: Split Personality Sundays 6-8 p.m. on December 7, 14 Following our series on salvation, Lifeline has been taking a hard look at an issue that plagues every believer when our actions don t reflect our Christian commitments. To encourage honest conversation, Lifeline has shifted to its Coffeehouse format, where students sit together at tables, sharing snacks and drinks, while talking together about different difficult situations we all find ourselves as we live our Christian lives. Last month we had two sessions around this topic: Sin in the Life of Believers and Christians and Partying. This month, on Sunday, December 7, we will finish our series with Talk like a Christian. Come explore with us how our words, texts, and speech impact our Christian life. A parent discussion on social media led by counselors will be held from 7-8pm in 117/119. Anyone with children or youth is welcome to the discussion. We will conclude on 12/14 with a Christmas celebration. Life Groups Wednesdays 6:30-8 p.m. on Dec. 3, 10 Life Groups are continuing in their study of 1 and 2 Corinthians, a study that will continue until Covenant reconvenes in January. Families are encouraged to include Corinthians in their family devotions for the next two months. Reading these two great epistles together with their youth is a great way to grow closer to God as a family! DISCOVERY Weekend Jan , 2015 DISCOVERY is an action-packed weekend for middle school youth that is student-led by our older high school youth. Our theme this year is Discover God s Love through Scripture. Registration is due by Dec. 7 online at fvumc.org/youth-discovery-registrationopen-through-127, and it includes separate sign-ups for adult volunteers, middle school participants, and high school leaders. 9

10 Loving God in Worship: Holy Communion The Table So, you might have noticed that the communion table is now up on the platform. This decision was made for several reasons. First, as Methodists, we believe that the sacrament of communion is a place where God encounters us in a real way. By placing the table front and center, the table is given a prominent place in our worship. Also, it is a lot easier for everyone in the room to see because the table is elevated. This change also made it possible for our kids to sit on the steps during the Children s Moment in 11:00 worship. The Elements When we celebrate communion, there is now only one loaf of bread and one cup of juice up on the communion table. Visually, this is a wonderful symbolism of the common cup that we all drink from in Christ. To improve the flow of our worship and communion (and avoid our servers needing to carry juice down the steps), the elements which are used to serve communion are now placed at stations near the side steps. These stations are just as blessed as the actual communion table itself. What matters when we share communion is not the exact location of the elements on a specific table. What matters is not which type of bread or juice is used. The key is that we are asking God to pour out your Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by His blood. Singing to the King: Vocal Technique Workshop Open to All! Save the date for a Vocal Technique Workshop sponsored by Music Ministries on the morning of Saturday, January 10! Join us from 9am-12 noon in the choir room and ring in the new year with a morning of fellowship, vocal techniques & tips, and fun! Please RSVP at fvumc.org/ vocal-workshop-rsvp/ For questions, contact Ashley Kotz, Director of Traditional Music Ministries, at akotz@ fvumc.org Budget Summary Total Annual Budget $1,451, Received YTD - 11/30/2014 $1,219, Budget needed YTD - 11/30/2014 $1,236, Difference - $16, YTD Budget Expenditures as of 10/31/2014 $1,059, Nov 2 Nov 9 Worship Attendance Nov 16 Nov 23 Nov 30 Monthly Average Year-To-Date Average (As of 11/30/14) 8:00am :30am :00am Total

11 Church Conference Approves Process Forming Building Committee On Sunday, November 9, those gathered for the Church Conference of FVUMC approved a motion to begin the process of addressing the space needs of FVUMC in compliance with the steps defined in the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, our denomination s book of law. A Building Team was elected and authorized to begin formulating an plan to address space needs. The team is working with the Church Council and all ministry areas of the church to develop preliminary plans. These plans are required to be submitted to the Fairway District Committee on Building and then to the members of FVUMC for approval. The Building Team welcomes any input or feedback as they move forward in this process. You may share your feedback by ing building@ fvumc.org. Please be in prayer as our congregation seeks God s direction and call upon our church to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Steps to Begin the Process of Planning and Financing of Space Needs at FVUMC Book of Discipline, Paragraph 2544 Step 1: Present the basis of need to the church conference for approval and empower the Building Committee to serve in the development of the project Step 2: The Building Committee shall a. develop preliminary plans for the project b. secure an estimate of cost of the building project c. develop a financial plan for covering the total cost Step 3: Submit to the District Committee a. statement of need for the proposed facilities b. the preliminary plans c. the preliminary cost estimate d. the preliminary financial plan Step 4: Submit to the Church Conference a. the preliminary plans b. the preliminary cost estimate c. the preliminary financial plan d. the Building Committee s recommendation Step 5: After approval by the Church Conference, the building committee shall a. develop detailed plans and specifications b. secure a reliable and detailed estimate of cost of the project Step 6: Submit plans to the district committee a. detailed plans and specifications b. detailed estimate of cost of the project Step 7: Submit to the Church Conference a. detailed plans and specifications b. detailed estimate of cost of the project Step 8: After approval by the charge conference and the district committee, the building committee may begin the project by implementing the financial plan for securing the funds to begin the project Motions Approved by Church Conference on 11/9/14: 1. The Building Committee moves that the Church Conference commission the Building Committee to follow the process as set forth in the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. 2. The Lay Leadership Committee moves that the Church Conference commission the members listed below to serve on the Building Committee. Terry Bass Mark Bethea Eric Coates Laura Forrest Don Gantt David Harris Don Howell Joe Jackson Karlton Layman Laurie Lympany Bernard McLeod Bob Sheets Loftee Smith Randy Smith Ken Tate Jimmy Wright Rick Dupree Matt Harrenstein Gene Tyson 11

12 Why Give at Year-End? The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect and give thanks for the many ways God has enriched our life. Additionally, since tax laws intentionally encourage charitable giving, individuals who itemize their deductions can further reduce income taxes for 2014 if a gift is made by December 31. How Might You Give? Sometimes gifts at year-end are lump sum contributions to complete a pledge or long-term commitment. Some offerings at year-end are secondmile gifts or memorial gifts. A gift above and beyond your regular contribution can help the church fulfill its mission commitments and serve the Kingdom of God more abundantly. To honor a loved one or to honor the memory of a loved one with a gift to your church is a very appropriate and meaningful way to give thanks for that person and celebrate their life during the holiday season. Basic Guidelines Charitable contributions must be claimed for the year in which they are delivered. If you make a contribution in early January 2015, it must be claimed on your 2015 return. However, if your gift is mailed and postmarked in December 2014, it is deductible in 2014, regardless of when the gift was received and deposited. Gifts of Cash This is the simplest and most flexible way to make a gift. Many have found joy in giving to the church if they receive a year-end bonus. If you use cash, be sure to use an offering envelope with your name and address on it so that your gifts will be credited to you on your yearly statement. If you write a check it must be dated 2014 and postmarked or received by Dec. 31, (Note our office closes at 1pm on 12/31.) Gifts of Securities Consider a gift of stock that you have held for more than one year that has substantially increased in value. You could receive a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the assets on the date of the gift and avoid federal capital gains tax that would otherwise be due on the sale of the asset. If you own securities that are worth less now than when you purchased them, you may be better off to sell them, take the capital loss on your tax return, and contribute the proceeds. The combined amount of the deductible loss and the charitable deduction may total more than the current value of the investment. Plan ahead, though, gifts of securities take several days to process. Check with your tax advisor to determine if a gift of securities is right for you. Gifts from an IRA Making gifts from an IRA or similar retirement plan may result in little or no tax on those withdrawals. If you itemize your deductions you should plan to report the amount withdrawn along with an offsetting charitable deduction. Check with your tax advisors for the specifics of your situation. Those age 70 ½ or older should check with a tax advisor about the ability to make a tax-free charitable gift directly from a qualifying IRA. The provision allowing such gifts is widely expected to be renewed for gifts made in Again, plan ahead, these gifts may take several days to process. For More Information If you have questions or would like to request the forms needed for a gift of stock, please contact Joan Thomas, Director of Finance and Administration at jthomas@fvumc.org or , ext Church Office Closings Schedule Christmas Eve closing at 1:00pm Closed Christmas Day & December 26 New Year s Eve closing at 1:00pm Closed New Year s Day