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Dear Church Dear Church Family, Last year as we began the month of December, I quoted a phrase from my old mentor who often said to me, "Tell the truth and trust the people." So once again I want to "tell the truth and trust the people" concerning church finances. Throughout 2012, our giving has been up from 2011, and I'm grateful to you for that. However, like every year at this time, we need a faithful and extremely generous December to fund all our ministries and to pay our apportionments (United Methodist missions) in full. Thankfully, that usually happens. In order for us to meet all our ministry obligations, we need a December offering of about 1.1 million. Last year in December we received 1.1 million, so this is certainly doable. If you have not done so yet, please catch up on your pledge by the end of the year. And if you have already given your full pledge, please consider giving a "second mile" offering to help us end the year in the black, giving us a strong start for 2013. To date, we have received 604 pledges for 2013 totaling $2,785,525 for an average pledge of $4,612. However, we need at least 1,100 pledges at about this average to maintain even a flat budget in 2013, so we still have a long way to go. We are asking every member and friend to turn in your pledge by this Sunday, December 9th, when we will consecrate them during worship. You can bring your pledge to one of our four worship services this weekend, or make it online by clicking here, or call it in to Lisa Gray at 324-8201 or email it to Lisa at lgray@bumc.net . These 2013 pledges will fund vibrant ministries that impact people's lives including
worship, children's and youth ministry, adult discipleship, and local and global missions and outreach. They also represent our loyalty and worship to God, making them sacred promises. So please join me and your church family in making this important commitment by this weekend. Speaking of this weekend, we are in for a special treat. Last year on the second week of Advent, our children's 5th and 6th grade "Alleluia" choir presented the Advent and Christmas message in Scripture and song. Response was so overwhelmingly positive that the music team decided to have the Alleluia choir lead us again this year. Christmas is all about a child. And the Bible primarily celebrates that story through song, including the Magnificat of Mary12 (Luke 1) and the choir of angels (Luke 2). So nothing could be more appropriate for the Advent and Christmas season than having children share the sacred story through Scripture and song. They will be participating on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. (IN THE SANCTUARY NOT THE CHAPEL) and at 8:30 and 11:00 on Sunday. The praise band and other musicians will share a service of Advent and Christmas music at Awakening. As we continue the Advent and Christmas season, I will be preaching the weekend of December 15-16, at the "Longest Night" healing service on December 21, and at all five of our Christmas Eve worship services. Rev. Kaye Harvey will be preaching the weekend of December 22-23. Before concluding, I want to express special thanks to James Wells and all our children and youth (and adult leaders) who made last Sunday's concerts in the Narthex, "In the Light" possible. It was a powerful experience to see 250 young people singing about the coming of Christ. Thanks to all of you! Finally, it was good to receive Jeff Campbell, Mindy Craven, and Chris and Holly Clark as new members. Welcome to our church family. I hope to see you this weekend as we continue the Advent journey and as we consecrate our gifts to God for 2013. In Christ's Love and Service,
Martin