Pedal to the metal
Over the last few weeks, at the encouragement of many, many of you, we have tried to share more candidly about our current financial situation. As with so many of our families, your Chapel Hill Church family has faced some economic challenges this year.
So we took some positive steps. We shared with you our 5-year vision as a congregation. (Your response has been overwhelming and encouraging.) We spoke frankly about a projected $500,000 shortfall by fiscal year-end in June 2023. And we invited you to do your part to help make up that shortfall. We asked you to consider what next step YOU might take in your own financial discipleship (see the “Journey of Generosity” graphic below).
After just a few weeks, I wanted to share with you some encouraging results.
- November not only surpassed our projection (by $148,000), it also exceeded BUDGET by $123,000! (For context, we have only hit our budget income number two times prior to November in the last 16 months) Woohoo!
- 15 of you took the next step of making your gifts to Chapel Hill recurring! Thank you!
- We’ve received several extraordinary, above-and-beyond gifts from those who wanted to do more than their tithe. You are amazing!
So…thank you! But we need to keep the pedal to the metal! We still have a long way to go. December is always our highest-giving month, and we need it to be particularly strong this year to continue this encouraging upward trend.
If you are 70½ years or older, have you considered a charitable gift from your IRA? This allows you to make a tax-deductible donation that satisfies your annual required minimum distribution. Of course, consult your financial planner or contact Dawn Davis with any questions.
Finally, with the market beginning to turn around, you may wish to donate stocks. OR, you may wish to liquidate your stinkers and take a juicy loss! Either way, contact Brenda Saucier for more information.
Christmas is a season of both giving and gratitude. May I say how grateful I am for your generosity to the Lord’s work here. Please continue to join me in praying that God will supply all we need to do all he wants us to do.
By the way, don’t forget to invite a friend to Christmas Eve services. They will be spectacular! And here’s a special treat: this year, for the first time since COVID began, we are returning to real candles at all the Christmas Eve services! Sue Lott, our Guest Services Coordinator, would love your help if you are willing to greet people with a smile and give out the candles. There are a total of four services Friday, December 23 (6:30 pm) and Saturday, December 24 (3:00, 4:30, 7:30, and 9:00 pm). Please email Sue here to serve.
Pastor Mark