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230 W. Rusk Street, Tyler, TX 75701
M o n t h l y N e w s f r o m F P C Ty l e r • Vo l u m e 1 2 , I s s u e 9 : S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 7
Permit No. 683 Tyler, Texas 75701-1696
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Debt Elimination: The Big Payoff by The Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin Many of you will remember that when we did our recent capital improvement project, we ended up about $750,000 in debt. While our capital campaign raised about $3 million, the necessary projects cost about $3.75 million.
To everyone at the home of:
Budget & Finance. September 14 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Building & Grounds. September 11 @ 5:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Children’s Ministry. September 19 @ 5:30 pm — Library | A 111 Mission. September 11 @ 5:30 pm — Library | A 111 Risk Management. September 27 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Session. September 19 @ 7 pm — M 207 Student Ministry. September 25 @ 6:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Worship. September 5 @ 5 pm — Conference Room | A 110
COMMIT TEE MEETINGS
First Friday Fun: Kid’s Night Out. 6:30 pm, Children’s Wing. Communion Sunday. 8:30 & 11am, Chapel & Sanctuary. Youth Group. 5:30 pm, The Well Church office and campus closed. Labor Day observed. Meadow Lake Bible Study. 11:45 am, Meadow Lake. Senior High Small Group resumes. 6 pm, Gabriel residence. Rally Day. 9:30 am, Fellowship Hall. Fine Arts @ FPC: From My Travels. 4 pm, Sanctuary. Fine Arts Garden Party. 5:30 pm, Babin residence. Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering. 6 pm, F 101-102. Achieving Dreams Circle of Caring Gala. 6 pm, Fellowship Hall. Steeple Times Submission Deadline. East Texas Youth Conference. Camp Gilmont, Gilmer, TX Sewing Bees. 10 am, F 104. Youth Group: Game Night. 5:30 pm, The Well Presbytery Meeting. All day, campus-wide. 1 3 3 4 7 6 10 10 10 13 14 15 15 - 17 20 25 30
SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
To some this may come as a surprise, but it shouldn’t. The congregation voted to take on the debt, and we reported on it multiple times. Over the last several years, the trustees and the session have spent considerable time and effort to reduce the debt. In particular, there have been three major components of these efforts. First, several members have given sacrificial gifts in an effort to reduce the debt. Second, we were able to repurpose the old Youth House fund and apply it to the debt. Finally, we have amortized the debt into a 15 year loan, for which we pay about $40,000 per year out of the budget.
next door to the church. We recently closed on the property and received $75,000. As a result, of all these efforts, our debt has been reduced to about $140,000. Quite a change from $750,000! Now it’s our turn to help. The officers of the church are asking us to roll up our sleeves and see if we can make one last push to eliminate this debt. I am aware, as are the officers, that we all have different abilities to contribute. For some, $25 is about all they can afford. Others can afford significantly more. But all of us can contribute something. So won’t you join me in giving a little extra to eliminate this debt? We can get this done!
The most recent effort to reduce the debt was to sell a sliver of our property behind and to the north of the Scout Hut to the Medicine Chest Pharmacy, headquartered in the Fitzgerald House
i n t h i s i s s u e | H I G H L I G H T S & F E AT U R E S Rally Day | Pg 4
Music Ministry This Fall | pg 3
Thanks to Our SM Leaders | pg 4
Catch the excitement as we kick off a new year of Sunday School classes with our annual Rally Day.
Music Ministry has opportunities for all to experience this Fall.
A hearty thanks to these members for sharing their gifts with our church and youth. First Presbyterian Church of Tyler, Texas 230 West Rusk Street, Tyler, Texas 75701-1696 (903) 597-6317 | www.fpctyler.com