Give

GIVE How can we give to God’s vision for our Church?

Relevant Worship: We are connecting with more and more people through our worship and preaching. We had lots of positive feedback from Contemporary Carols and the Live BBC Broadcast on Christmas morning.

Youth and Children: Roots and Explorers are growing strongly and we are getting better at integrating our Young People into the church family.

Academy of Life: We are appreciating the clear teaching and practical discipleship challenge to our everyday Christian lives.

St Augustine’s Wrangthorn: With the support of the St George’s team, our Mission Partnership is bearing fruit. The church is growing in numbers and vision.

St Barnabas Theological Centre: We have set up, under the leadership of Mark Powley, a contemporary Theological training course to raise up leaders for the North, sending two ordinands from St George’s.

Riverside Church: Based at Holy Trinity Boar Lane and led by our former Associate Rector, James Barnett, the church is growing.

God is blessing our vision to share the gospel with the City.

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...it is God who gives the growth.

1 Cor 3:6-7

But, we face a challenge.

Our financial giving has reduced. In 2014, for the first time in 11 years, the amount the Church family gave to the work of St George’s went down, leaving us with a substantial unbudgeted decifit even after a generous contribution from the St George’s Centre.

If giving continues to fall in 2015, we will have to cut back on the mission of our Church and reduce the number of Church staff. This is not something that any of us want to do, not at the very time when God is opening up the opportunities to do more to share the gospel with our city.

St George’s is growing; but our vision is only just beginning to be fulfilled.

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Our Vision is to see God bring new life to Leeds through his Church; and St George’s part in that vision is to continue raising godly leaders for Leeds and the North, and to send them out with teams, to renew and revitalise the Church across Leeds. We are already working with other churches, and will continue to do so until every part of Leeds has a thriving Christian community sharing the love of Jesus Christ, so that everywhere light breaks through darkness.

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It’s a big vision so let’s pray for God’s kingdom to come in Leeds.

So how do we get financial giving growing again?

I am asking every member of the St George’s family to prayerfully consider tithing; giving 10% of everything God gives you to the work of His Kingdom because we love what God is doing among us and we want to see Him doing more!

Giving 10% of everything God gives you to the work of His Kingdom because we love what God is doing want to see Him doing more!

On February 8th we are having our Annual Gift Day when each of us will be asked to come forward and offer our gifts to God. Some of us will give an extra one-off gift; and we hope that many will start, or increase, their giving by Monthly Standing Order.

With many thanks and much joy for our partnership together in the gospel. What a privilege it is to be serving Jesus by Sharing Life and Loving Leeds!

Jonathan Clark Rector

We will have an increased focus on giving as part of our worship and we will produce regular updates throughout 2015 so that we all know how our finances and our giving are doing.

I am confident in the Lord that if we all do this together, God will provide everything we need to continue the work He has called us to do, as Paul says to the Corinthians:

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God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8

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Here are 10 ways that God is blessing us:

So, we thank God for all these blessings - and many more.

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It has been an amazing year in which we can see God growing His kingdom and answering prayer in so many ways.

Lighthouse: People from the margins of society are coming to faith and being transformed by the power of God and the power of fellowship as they support each other.

Growth: All our services are growing and we are seeing lots of baptisms and new Christians.

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The Good News: we are growing.

Pray For Leeds: We are playing a foundational role in raising up united prayer for the city; and God is hearing our prayers, that’s why we are seeing growth.

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Happy New Year and thank you for everything you have contributed to the mission of St George’s in 2014, including your financial giving.

Student Networks: We are spreading across the city; students are more confident in the power of the gospel; and the growth among international students is very exciting to see and highly strategic.

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Dear Church Family,

You can find a copy of an extended letter from Jonathan with more financial detail in the foyer or online at stgeorgesleeds.org.uk/giving

Thinking it through...

Jonathan asks in his letter for “every member of the St George’s family to prayerfully consider tithing.” Here are some questions and thoughts to help you think, pray and consider your finances before making a response.

Read and consider this letter Talk to someone else about it; a friend, small group or spouse etc.

Pray and listen What do you feel God is saying about St George’s and about your response?

Have a look at your finances What proportion are you currently giving? What would 10% of your income be?

How much do you feel you should give to St George’s? What will you give to other needs?

Respond See ‘how to give’ overleaf, and share anything you feel God is saying to St George’s by contacting the office. reception@stgeorgesleeds.org.uk | 01132438498

How to give...

You can give to St George’s in 2 ways; one off gift or regular giving.

During our services there is an opportunity to give using the envelopes provided in the back of your seat. Fill in your details, indicate the amount as well as how you would like to give, then place in the collection.

Give Today You may like to give cash or cheque as a one off gift. Please fill in your details so we know who the gift is from. If you are a tax payer, please also sign and tick the gift aid section.

Give Regularly You may wish to set up a standing order to give a set amount each month. Please fill in your details, bank details, indicate the amount to be given monthly and indicate when you would like this to start. We will get in touch with your bank and do the rest for you! If you are a tax payer, please also sign and tick the gift aid section.

Visit stgeorgesleeds.org.uk/giving for more information on how to give.