Every quarter we send out giving statements to a couple of thousand households. Ever wonder how they get in the envelopes?
Here's the answer: We've got a very cool team of ladies that get together and help with all kinds of things around the office, including praying and prayer cards, to stuffing envelopes.
Dorothy, pictured here to the left, pays close attention to Abundant Life's financial health and often catches any misprints in Coolstuff where we accidentally flip the "budget need" with the "giving to date" numbers. It happens sometimes in a busy office...
Luela and Barb pictured here to the right, are two more of the ladies who give tirelessly on behalf of the church family. You'll see Luela at most every Abundant Life event doing way more that she should do, carrying way more that she should carry, but loving every minute of it.
So, as Dorothy might ask, how are we doing financially? Well, we're struggling a bit, just like so many others out there. We're saving money where we can (Dianne, our Facilities Manager just announced we cut our power bill by about 9% this year!), and are running pretty lean on staffing, but sticking to doing what we hear God calling us to do, and trusting Him for the resources.
We have helped hurting families to the tune of about $65,000 in the last 12 months to save homes, keep power and gas connected, among other things. We have connected many, many struggling famiies with mentors and counselors, and have continued to reach out and serve our community during these hard times.
We are experiencing God as He shakes us up to prepare us for the next chapter of His ministry through us, and the Elders are stepping out in faith that God has called us to move ahead, including a campus in Sandy. We are moving toward outcomes that only God can bring to fruition. We are operating in faith.
OK, OK, so what's that mean financially? Well, our income has fallen short of our budget need all year by about 5%, or $150,000 total for the fiscal year. As we get close to the finish line (July 31st), it looks like the gap may be bigger. We'd all love our income to meet budget!
How can you help as a part of our church family? First, pray that God goes before us in all we take on as a church. He promises us the resources to do that which He has called us to do.
Second, remain faithful in your giving throughout the summer. If you're not currently giving to the finances of your church family at Abundant Life, jump in this next weekend! You can also give on line here: Give Online. And by all means, if you feel called to make a one-time gift to help push our fiinances to a better place by, go for it! There's no time like the present!
Mlachai 3:10 tells us about the only time God says "test me..."
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."
This sounds like a test where we are the big winners. What will you do with this challenge?
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