Dear Holman Family,
Lenten greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Our prayer is that your journey through Lent continues to be one of renewal and restoration. Thank you for your ongoing commitment and partnership with the Church of the Bells!
In this week’s all-church mailing you will find your giving statement from January through March, 2014. Your generosity and faithfulness are appreciated. As you can see from our monthly financial summary, we are running behind in our giving to meet the 2014 budget. Hence, we are inviting you to prayerfully consider pledging an amount that is 5% or more above your current level of giving. As you step-up, we are determined to meet this challenge by continuing to engage in vital and growing ministries for all generations, while being the best stewards of how God is resourcing our ministry through your gifts.
Our stewardship theme for 2014 and beyond is: “IMAGINE: Living the 4 Ts – Ten Percent of Your Time, Talent and Treasure.” The spiritual discipline of Christian stewardship for us at Holman is spiritual living that involves every area of our lives and connects to all aspects of church life. The response to the invitation to Christian stewardship is part of an ongoing, faithful, spiritual journey that deepens and matures our personal relationship with God, as we take care of God’s house. Envelopes and pledge cards will be available during worship and in the church office. If you didn’t receive your mailing, please alert the church office for follow-up.
Imagine the impact and influence Holman would have for the kingdom of God if you embraced the invitation to live the 4Ts and give ten percent of your time, talent and treasure. The impact would be to accomplish exceedingly and abundantly above all that we could ask or think. As you imagine where Holman is going, we invite you to use the enclosed pledge card to indicate your partnership in realizing our collective imagination for the next 12 months. Following the prayerful completion of your pledge cards, we will celebrate the dedication of all pledge cards on Easter Sunday during worship service.
If you are unable to bring your pledge card on Easter Sunday, we encourage you to mail or email it to the Church Office for inclusion in the Stewardship Dedication Celebration. If you have any questions, please contact us at holman@holmanumc.com, or call Bettye Fontenot, Operations Manager, in the Church Office.
You will also receive an envelope for our annual special Easter offering. As part of our commitment to pay our apportionment on a quarterly basis, your special Easter offering will be dedicated for that purpose. This offering will assist us in meeting our apportionment obligation on an ongoing basis and avoid a year-end pressure to pay the apportionment. Through your prayers and participation, and God’s provision, we have full confidence we will finish strong. We encourage you to watch this video of “thanks” about the impact of our apportionment giving:
As we prepare for Easter, we encourage you to invite your family and friends to join us for wonderful, powerful and inspirational worship experiences. This year, in collaboration with our music and arts ministries, our Easter celebrations will include an Easter Sunrise Celebration at 6:00 a.m. followed by breakfast, and worship celebrations at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Family, friends and neighbors are waiting for your invitation!
With great appreciation for your partnership in ministry,
William “Bill” Hardy. Patricia “Patti” Titus. Kelvin Sauls
Chair, Finance Chair, Stewardship Senior Pastor