Know. Pray. Communicate. October 9 - Spiritual Aspects of Giving. October 16 - Practical Aspects of Giving

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1 what and why you give. about what God is asking you to give. Each Sunday in October we will focus on a different aspect that highlights the impact giving has on you, St. Philip s, our community and the world. As a church family we will make our 2017 giving pledges to God and His church at the end of the month. We invite you to take this month to prepare your heart and mind to make that commitment. Here s what s coming up: October 9 - Spiritual Aspects of Giving Why it s about more than a dollar amount. How giving grows your faith and makes an impact on the world for Christ. Personalized year-to-date giving statements will be mailed this week. If you ve recently had a change of mailing address, please let us know. October 16 - Practical Aspects of Giving where your giving goes. Understand what your giving accomplishes. October 23 - About Giving (or Ask God!) Ask God to help you discern His plan for your giving. A take-home exercise will guide you into conversation with God about your giving plan. October 30 - Celebrate Our Commitment to God and St. Philip s to us what you will give.

2 Benefits of Giving There is grace in the generous, God-directed handling of our money. When we invite God into our financial and giving decisions: We are freed from our fearful insecurities. Our focus expands beyond our own petty concerns. We discover the joy and peace of dependence upon God. Gain all you can, save all you can and give all you can. -John Wesley What God Says Scripture has a lot to say about the relationship between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money. In much of his teaching, Jesus illustrates how money can play one of two roles in our lives: a cruel master or a helpful servant. Jesus warns against allowing money to control our lives. He said, You cannot serve God and money. Luke 16:13 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth. Matthew 6:19 On the other hand, money has the power to feed the poor, heal the sick, share the gospel, build a church, free the slave, and educate the unschooled. Jesus tells us, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34 And, Paul points out, In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35 Recommended Resources The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving by Randy Alcorn Fields of Gold by Andy Stanley As members of our what and why you give. about what God is asking you to give. to us what you will give. 50% of church members give nothing 30-40% give "tips" to god Church giving stats 20% give 80% of the church's revenue Giving today is lower (as a percentage) than during the great depression

3 $1,400,000 $1,200,000 $1,000,000 $800,000 $600,000 $400,000 $200,000 $ Financial Data $1,292,770 $1,301,734 $1,052,967 Q1 Q2 Q3 YTD what and why you give. about what God is asking you to give. Budget Expenses Actual Expenses Offerings Financial Summary The annual budget is determined by pledges made the prior year. Our offerings have not kept pace with our expenses in the 3rd Quarter. We are confident in God's provision for the remainder of the year Pledge Snapshot Number of 2016 pledges received = 190 Average Annual Pledge = $5, Pledge Chart $1,200,000 $1,000,000 to us what you will give. $800,000 $600,000 $400,000 $200,000 $1,026,477 $674,251 $- Pledged 2016 Offerings Received thru 10/9

4 How Our Ministry & Mission is Funded Your generous offerings make up 83% of our annual revenue. Our Preschool provides 12% and our Episcopal School another 5%. We do not receive any funding from the Diocese or other organizations. WHAT S INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET Staffing: Salaries, Benefits, Pension and Taxes Administration: Utilities, Office Supplies, Diocesan Assessment, Insurance, Loan Interest, Marketing and Communications Facilities: Grounds and Building Maintenance, Repairs and Technology Ministry: Expenses in operating ministry programs including Children & Family, Nursery, Youth, Adults, Church Wide Events, Pastoral Care and Worship Missions & Outreach: Program Expenses and Staffing 2016 BUDGET BREAKDOWN Chart Title 51% 31% 8% 7% 3% Staffing Administration Facilities Missions & Outreach Ministry Financial Responsibility Like you, we are stewards of God s gifts and make the careful management of those gifts a priority that is shared by our: Finance Team Vestry Staff An annual audit ensures the accuracy of records, compliance and the soundness of financial practices.

5 what and why you give. about what god is asking you to give. to us what you will give. T his month we ve talked about what Scripture says about generosity, and how your generosity impacts the life and finances of St. Philip s. Now we encourage you to pray about being generous with what God has given you. Let each day this week draw you a step closer to making your commitment to generosity in the coming year! Monday: SUBMIT yourself and all you have to the LORD Heavenly Father, we acknowledge you are the owner and we are the managers of what you entrust to us. Help us to live for you each day and to generously share the time, talents, treasures, and things you have given us. AMEN. Tuesday: SEEK His guidance: study the Scriptures on finances and generosity Heavenly Father, help me learn your Word on finances and generosity and to trust you to guide me and provide for me all the days of my life. AMEN. Wednesday: SEE what God has provided in your life Heavenly Father, open our eyes to see your provisions in our life. Help us to acknowledge your financial blessings by giving offerings of thanks for what you have given us. AMEN. Thursday: SET ASIDE resources to give Heavenly Father, help us to determine what enough is for our family and to joyfully and generously share the rest. AMEN. Friday: SYSTEMATICALLY give Heavenly Father, whether we have little or much, help us to always live open-handed in a tight-fisted world and to find our greatest joy in following and serving you. AMEN. Saturday: SIMPLIFY your life to be even more generous. Heavenly Father, help us to live more simply so others can simply live. AMEN. Sunday: SHARE your pledge card in worship Heavenly Father, help us to understand that little can become much when you are in it. AMEN. Join us next Sunday, October 30 as we come together to communicate our commitment to living generously in 2017.

6 we are asking you to what and why you give. about what God is asking you to give. Pledging is an act of worship, as we put our financial life into God's hands. Your generosity allows us to do the work God has given us to do here at St. Philip's, in our community and the world. In addition to expanding the work we're already doing to grow our faith and impact the world for Christ, in 2017 we plan to: Add a weekly Saturday Evening Service Expand outward focus to the needs of our community Establish new global partners for ongoing mission Reach new families moving to our neighborhood Today we come together to communicate our commitment to living generously in 2017 by presenting our pledges to God. Ways to Give: erfully and Consistently to us what you will give. ONLINE BILL PAY GIVE DIRECTLY FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNT Sign in to your bank s website, follow the instructions to use Online Banking, add St. Philip s to your Pay To list and designate the amount you want to send and how often. ONLINE GIVING SECURE AND CONVENIENT GIVING OPTIONS Access online giving at stphilipsfrisco.org/giving. CHECK OR CASH CONTRIBUTIONS OFFERING ENVELOPES You may still make your offering via check or cash on Sunday morning. Blank offering envelopes are available at the Welcome Center. Questions? Contact our Financial Director, Dianna Brannan at ext 111.