PROFIT MARGINS 2017 CELEBRATING THE TRANSFORMATION THAT IS THE PROFIT OF MINISTRY
profit margins 2017 For the third year in a row, we are gathering stories from 2017 about how we saw God change lives and transform hearts through the ministry and mission of this church. No doubt, effective ministry and mission takes work. You as a family of faith have spent countless hours serving in myriad ways in the church and beyond the church. That can be tiring and fatiguing. Sometimes, you might even wonder what difference your work makes. For most of us, seeing the kingdom of God expand through changed lives and transformed hearts is the profit that makes all the work worthwhile. We would do what we do regardless of the outcome because that s what God deserves from us, when we get to see the impact our work makes, that s a gift. Take some time to read through this document. It s just a sampling of the highlights from 2017. I hope you enjoy it and I hope it encourages you to keep on loving God and serving him through this family of faith. 2017 BUDGET DISTRIBUTION
grow 2017 was a great year for growing as a disciple at First Pres Douglasville! We had 27 new members this year. A few joined our community after being away from the Church for years. One new member shared that it was during a sermon that she came to understand the greatness of God s love for her, I was reminded that God s opinion of me is so great, I can t understand it, and that my external conditions are of no surprise to God. I felt the stirring in my heart to come to the church, just as I am, just as my life currently is, and become a part of the church family. Others who were facing difficult storms in their lives, found our Church to be a home and a family they knew they needed and have gotten connected in small groups and Wednesday night studies. The women of the Church enjoyed great times of fellowship and growing together, and a highlight was the Flourish Women s Retreat in April. Thirty-two women gathered at Unicoi Lodge in Helen, GA. A first-time participant said, The Flourish Retreat gave me a great opportunity to connect with women from all different stages of life. I was able to explore my faith deeply and learn so much from the women around me. One of the high points of the year was the Connect Kick-off and subsequent Connect Dinners in the fall. Over 250 people gathered in homes to make new connections, and get a taste of small group community. From this experience, new small groups are in the process of forming. There are over 25 adult discipleship groups and studies that gather regularly, and many opportunities to get connected and grow! serve Here are some of the many ways our members have answered Jesus call to love and serve others (John 13) in 2017: In March one of our members, who works at CNN, organized for the Eastside Elementary intramural football team to have a behind the scenes tour. They met with presenters, tried out cameras, and learned about lighting and graphics. One of the boys, named Angelo, said, Do you think I could do this? In July we sent a team of 15 people to Haiti to complete painting and finishing work on two classrooms and to provide three new roofs for Augustine, Linda & Jordon, residents of Citi Soleil the poorest part of Haiti. Our Angel Tree program provided Christmas gifts for 20 kids in foster care including India, Mashato, and Dillon. Midge Roman-Ortiz who coordinates the program said, Thank you so much for all your support a very generous Church!! Praying an abundance of Blessings upon you and the Church Members!! Our Thursday Women s group gave a total of $7291 to various service projects including: vitamins and pharmaceuticals for the Haiti Medical Trip, appreciation gift bags for Douglas County First Responders and food for the Eastside Food Pantry, to name a few.
students Here are just a few of the ways our students have grown by God s grace in 2017: Speaking about her Confirmation journey, one student explained, I discovered what my faith meant to me, and with the support of my church family and friends I was able to put my full trust and faith into God and proclaim my faith in front of the church to become a member! 38 students participated in Grow Groups. Those students explain, Grow Group is a great way to dive deeper into God s Word and really learn what it is He has planned for our lives, and It s a fun place where I have a fun time learning about God. Moreover, 2017 saw the launch of our first-ever middle school grow group, with another planned for 2018. 35 students chose to go hungry for our 30 Hour Famine while learning about poverty and engaging in service projects. Afterward, many students exclaimed, I will never say I m starving again! Students participated in mission trips to Chattanooga, TN and Haiti. College students took part in our new summer Bible study at the Irish Bred Pub. 23 Middle Schoolers and 26 High Schoolers attended summer conferences, spending time worshipping God and diving deep into His Word, while forming new friendships along the way. children Investing in the lives of children and families through First Kids is rewarding. 60+ elementary kids kicked off the fall semester of Sunday classes in a creative way through bucket drumming, learning how to Show proper respect to everyone (1Peter 2:17). A post-it note challenge for kids to share thanks and appreciation everywhere was taken seriously by Joseph who placed a note even on a pecan tree. Over 252 folks celebrated at VBS Maker Fun Factory, learning they were created by God and built for a purpose. One volunteer s advice, Give it a try. You are as much a blessing to the kiddos as they are to you! VBS resources and creative designs were shared with 5 smaller churches. Our Easter Egg Hunt included 1200 eggs, creative faith activities and fellowship. Children made their own set of resurrection eggs to share the Easter story with others. The Harvest Festival was packed with people, as 25 vehicles were on hand for treating and over 60 volunteers provided a safe environment for fun activities and games. 7 children, plus parents, discovered a deeper understanding of baptism and communion in our sacraments class. 28 children shared God s love with other kids by packing Samaritan boxes. First Kids had 30 children for their Christmas musical. More than 35 adults served weekly sharing God s love with children during classes.
trad. worship Traditional Worship This year saw a big change in our worship staff. Sharon Connolly- McCoy, Director of Traditional Worship, had to resigned due to health problems. We are grateful that Sharon led this ministry for more than a decade. Glenna James agreed to temporarily direct the choir and, then, in November, was hired as the permanent Director of Traditional Worship. The choir has explored new ways of leading worship in order to make it a dynamic and rich experience that utilizes elements of the liturgy to focus minds and hearts on God. Soloists and ensembles have become a regular addition to the 8:15 service, enriching that service. Throughout the year, music has been led by over 60 voices from ages 6 and older, as well as 13 instrumentalists. 10 ringers regularly served in the Sanctuary Ringers. Our Sunday afternoon Christmas Candlelight Concert enjoyed varied musical selections from the First Kids Choir, solo performances, The Point Worship team, and more. cont. worsip The Point Worship & Community Evangelism: The Point Worship Experience is a multi-generational & dynamic service that aims to point to Jesus, who is The Point. Community Feast, worship, and serve team members continue to provide outlets for servant leadership. In addition to weekly worship, the Jeffords Center also hosted more than 20 different events, ranging from kids musicals, choirs, graduations, a prom, civic organizations, to special church worship, serve, and invite events, and everywhere in between. We hosted 2 Respite Night events (March, August) that provide guests with Special Needs a night of games, music, dancing, snacks, & pizza, and offers parents/caregivers a few hours to enjoy time on their own for food or coffee. One guest stated it was the best fun since Night to Shine can t wait to do this again! Additionally, 35 men shot clays at Little River Gun Club in September. They closed the day with a homemade barbeque lunch, sponsored and slow-cooked by a gracious FPC member. 60 members were a part of telling the story of FPC on more than 22 videos made this past year. Those can be viewed any time on the FPC Douglasville mobile app or YouTube channel.
FPC BY THE NUMBERS 391 Average Sunday worship attendance 27 Total new members with 6 Baptisms and 16 Confirmands $1,303,693 Total contributions to the general fund $150, 668 Total giving to needs and missions beyond the church 772 Number of commitments of adults, students, children to spiritual formation activities 730 Number of internal serving commitments of adults 1191 Number of external serving commitments of adults, students, and children 9190 Campbellton Street, Douglasville, Georgia 30134 P: 770.942.0710 F: 770.949.3481 www.fpcdouglasville.org A congregation of ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians