AN INVITATION THE PATH is the theme of our 2014 Stewardship Campaign. Jesus calls us as he called his fi rst followers to come join him along a very special path of Christian Discipleship. This path enables us to be drawn closer to Him and to each other as we desire to realize the very highest standards of Christian Discipleship for a better church, community and world. Make no mistake about it, our giving and our participation make a difference. So, we invite you to join us on this very special path. This booklet gives an overview of the many ways First-Centenary uses our fi nancial resources for ministry/mission. Your generous support of our church operating budget through pledges and other contributions fi nancially enables the mission of Christ through our church. Indeed, the funds received are directed for overall ministries/ missions of the following: outreach and missions nurturing ministries music and worship 1 extension ministries facilities and maintenance staff support We understand the need to be fi nancially responsible as we are stewards of God s good gifts. We know that tithing (giving 10% of our income) in response to God s love for us is the gold standard of Christian Discipleship. If we aren t there then we should begin with a percentage with which we are comfortable and increase it as we can to reach the 10%. Deuteronomy 14:23 in The Living Bible says, The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God fi rst in your lives. That is really why we are asking you to join us on The Path. We all appreciate guidance in helping us to keep God fi rst in our lives. The realization of that goal brings untold benefi ts to our personal and social lives. Such a path is worth our very best. Our prayer is that all of us who are blessed to be associated with First-Centenary will refl ect upon Jesus call to discipleship and renew with greater zeal our commitment to Christ s work in this community of faith through: prayers presence gifts service So, turn the pages and follow The Path with us. In Christ, Doug Fairbanks Brian Davis witness
OUTREACH & MISSIONS OUTREACH is our response to Jesus invitation,..as you did for one of the least of these, you did for me. Reaching out to our community and the wider world pervades all that we do as a congregation and as individuals. Through Evangelism we seek to invite others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Community and Global Concerns are our hands and feet into the world around us. Locally, places such as The Bethlehem Center and St Andrew s Center. We also work with Mustard Tree Ministries and Family Promise to assist our homeless community. We support other nonprofit ministries in our community that are making a difference like The Chattanooga Food Bank, Room in the Inn, Volunteers in Medicine, Widow s Harvest, Bibles in the School, Prison Prevention Ministry, and UTC s Wesley Foundation. We also provide fi nancial support and partner with other UM missionaries in places such as Sudan, Haiti, Alaska, Marion, Virginia, and Costa Rica. We provide meal scholarships to students at Africa University in Zimbabwe. In addition, we offer opportunities for mission service and fi nancially underwrite projects locally, nationally, and internationally. Our Breakthrough Worship service in partnership with Mustard Tree Ministries offers warm hearts and meals given in the love of Christ. Through support of our United Costa Rica mission trip Youth on Louisiana mission trip Methodist apportionments, we extend our reach around the world as we follow John Wesley s commission that the world is our parish. A connection with other United Methodist churches in the Chattanooga District, Holston Conference, and the United Methodist church 2
worldwide, empowers the ministry of First-Centenary far beyond our walls. Our gift of fair share offerings gives fi nancial support to Conference and District initiatives as well as national and international ministries. As we follow A Disciple s Path at First-Centenary, we are living as a witness and servant community of Jesus Christ. NURTURING MINISTRIES THROUGH CHRISTIAN NURTURE and development, members are growing in their knowledge of what it means to be a child of God and a disciple of Jesus Christ. Our nurturing ministries provide education for children, youth, and adults of all ages through Sunday School classes and fellowship opportunities. Bible studies, book studies, support groups, and other informal gatherings offer places for us to grow and learn. As a congregation we seek to nurture our faith as well as fulfi ll our membership vows. In a variety of ways we assimilate new people into our church and denomination. As a congregation, we offer ongoing care and support to all of our members and friends in times of crisis. Our clergy, staff, and laity offer the love of Christ through personal contacts to those who may be homebound or otherwise unable to attend church. Congregational care begins with the celebration of new life as we welcome new babies in baptism, to celebrations of life in memorial services Our church a place for young families Socks of Love fi lled with goodies for the homeless. Camp Lookout the place we wanna be! 3
as we commend our loved ones to God s eternal care, and at every precious moment in between. Through Stephen Ministry, trained laity reach out to our church family through one-on-one Christian care to individuals Singles take a Sunday afternoon walk facing life challenges. An extension of our clergy, Stephen Ministers are available to listen and counsel in meaningful ways. Our prayer ministry offers daily opportunities to fulfi ll our membership vow as we are in prayer for those in need as well as giving thanks for Youth at Resurrection God s many blessings. This area of ministry includes: Children, Youth, Adults, Singles ministry and staff, Coffee with Pastor, Pastoral staff, Congregational Care committee, Stephen Ministry, and Prayer Ministry. As we follow A Disciple s Path at First-Centenary we are inviting people to become disciples of Jesus Christ in every activity of this church. WORSHIP AND MUSIC CHRISTIAN WORSHIP IS CENTRAL to our life at First-Centenary. It is that time when we come together to praise God for God s greatness and to celebrate the good news of God s love for us. At First-Centenary, our clergy, music staff (Sanctuary and The Vine), adult, youth, and children s choirs and other laity lead us in corporate worship centered on liturgy, excellent music, and The Vine Worship Band 4
biblically based preaching. In the mystery, awe, and celebration of these worship experiences (Sanctuary Sanctuary music and The Vine), we are empowered and encouraged to go forth into the world to be the Body of Christ. Our TV ministry reaches out to members and a wide range of persons from jail cells to persons who are homebound. We receive cards and letters throughout the year from persons expressing appreciation for TV Ministry this ministry by TV or live stream. This area of ministry includes: Pastoral leadership, Music staff and TV/live stream ministries and associated groups such as Acolytes, Altar Guild, and Ushers. As we follow A Disciple s Path at First- Centenary we are expressing our faith through rich traditional/contemporary worship and great traditional/contemporary music. Choir members fellowship Confi rmands having fun 5
EXTENSION MINISTRIES WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE several non-profi t, feebased ministries which extend the mission of First-Centenary in the wider community. Our Children s Enrichment Center (Day Care Ministry) is considered one the best in the community. It continues to offer weekday programs designed to foster Grandparents Day in our day care intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and social development of preschool children in a Christian setting. Our Inner City Ministry continues to reach out to children in need by providing individualized reading and homework tutoring in conjunction with a year-long program of spiritual, physical, and social development. Our Food Services, housed in a state-ofthe-art kitchen facility, offers the ministry of hospitality to groups and guests such as we experience at our Prime Time Wednesdays. As we follow A Disciple s Path at First- Centenary, we live expectant that Christ will lead us into new ministries and new forms of ministry. First fi shing trip Inner City Summer Camp 6
FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE OUR CHERISHED GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS require diligent care and continuous maintenance. Over 130,000 square feet of buildings, constructed between 1967 and 2008, and two full city blocks of grounds present unique opportunities to provide space for the worship and work of First-Centenary. Our maintenance, custodial staff, volunteers and Trustees are engaged daily in upkeep of the facilities so that we can continue to offer a gathering place for First- Centenarians. Insurance, utilities, and other associated operating costs are carefully monitored as we always seek to be good stewards. This area of ministry includes: Administration, Custodial and maintenance staff, volunteers, Trustees, maintenance costs, utilities, equipment and vehicles, and insurance. 7
CLOSING THOUGHTS Certainly we understand that THE MINISTRY OF FIRST-CENTENARY is not measured just in our budget. This body of believers serves the needs of people both within and outside the congregation in many ways that extend beyond the funded ministries described in this brochure. Many activities of this church are directly supported fi nancially by individuals or groups within the congregation. Other activities are made possible through gifts of the time, talent, and energy offered by our members. Stewardship is not only about giving money. It is an invitation to give our lives our strengths, our hearts, our minds and spirits in the work of Christ. The stewardship call of First-Centenary is an invitation for all of us (individuals and/or families) to become invested in the work of Christ through the body of this church. Within this body of believers and the community in which we live, there are so many needs, so many places where the hand of Christ will be active. First-Centenary is striving to see those needs and to respond in Christian love. As we seek to FOLLOW A DISCIPLE S PATH AT FIRST-CENTENARY, you are invited to be a part of that striving. Through personal spiritual growth, collective worship and prayer, the strengthening of families, supporting singles, and active service to others, we are glorifying God in this place. Will you answer our invitation to be part of this vibrant ministry? MY RESPONSE... WHAT NOW? YOU MAY BE ASKING. To begin with, pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal the will of God in your life. You are a part of this Body of Christ and therefore needed and cherished. Through fi nancial offerings, time volunteered, and talents shared, your generosity allows every ministry and activity to fl ourish. Because of you, people are introduced to the saving and sanctifying grace of Jesus Christ and encounter his words in action. Your part in this story is not a small one. And so we ask you to continue your part, even enlarge your part if God so moves you. On November 24, 2013, remember we will have our annual Commitment Sunday. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47 8
9
2014 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN 419 McCallie Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37402 423 756 2021 www.fi rstcentenary.com 10