Simplicity, Generosity and Joy: Enough
St. Matthew's 2012 Stewardship Campaign

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Stress.  Anxiety.  Fear.  These words capture well the state of mind of many of us in America today.  We have witnessed dramatic market losses, a record number of foreclosures, high unemployment, and many bankruptcies and mergers, and a politician whose actions have been less than reassuring.  Every day seems to bring another piece of economic uncertainty.

A survey found that over three in four Americans are stressed about the economy and their personal finances.  Half were worried about providing for their family’s basic needs.  Over half of respondents reported feeling angry and irritable, and reported lying awake at night worried about this.  The report concludes that, “The declining state of the nation’s economy is taking a physical and emotional toll on people nationwide.” 1
           
Join us in worship for 4 weeks in October for a sermon series entitled  "Simplicity, Generosity and Joy: Enough."  Our nation is experiencing what many have described as the “American Nightmare.”  Increasing consumer debt, declines in savings, lower income growth, and a volatile stock market are all part of our economic insecurity.  We have lived in a society that tells us “you deserve it now,” whether or not we can afford it or really even need.  All of us have struggled with these issues at one time or another.  They are important issues that we cannot ignore.  This is why, over 4 weeks in October, “Simplicity, Generosity and Joy: Enough” will serve as our church-wide worship and study emphasis.  During this time we will explore what the Bible teaches us about financial management through corporate worship and small group study.  We’ll hear expert advice and stories about what others have learned by working through financial challenges.  Each week we will provide you with practical tools you can use to assess your financial situation and develop a financial plan with a biblical foundation.
           
At the conclusion of this emphasis, we will have the opportunity to make personal commitments of our offerings to God through our church for the coming year.  We will consecrate these commitments in the worship service on Consecration Sunday October 23.  These commitments will enable St. Matthew’s ministries to reach out in new and powerful ways to those in our church, our community and our world.  
           
I hope you will join us in the coming weeks as we look at how we can manage our financial resources and truly experience simplicity, generosity, and joy.

Schedule of Events:
(Sept. 11)  Simplicity, Generosity and Joy Small-Group Sunday Morning Study Begins
(Oct. 2)       When Dreams become Nightmares
(Oct. 4)       Simplicity, Generosity and Joy Small-Group Tuesday Night Study Begins
(Oct. 9)       Wisdom and Finance             
(Oct. 16)     Cultivating Contentment
(Oct. 23)     Consecration Sunday: Defined by Generosity
(Oct. 30)     Results Celebration of Next Year’s Ministry Commitments

Be on the lookout for additional events which will be added to these scheduled events. 

1 “Eight Out of Ten Americans Stressed Because of Economy,” by Madison Park, from CNN.com, October 7, 2008; 
(http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/10/07/economic stress/index.html)

Enough (4 Session Short Term Study Offered on Tuesday Evenings and Sunday Mornings): This study, coordinated with our October Sermon series, explores the role of money and possessions in the life of faith. In recent years, many of us ignored the wisdom of the past when it came to managing and spending our money. We felt an insatiable desire for more things. Some of us found ourselves spending tomorrow’s money today in order to have what we hoped would satisfy. The result of all of this was not greater happiness and satisfaction, but greater stress and anxiety. Enough is an invitation to rediscover the Bible’s wisdom when it comes to prudent financial practices and to learn what it means to have “enough.”  Join us on Sunday morning during the Rediscovery Adult Sunday School Class where we will begin this short term study at 9:45 AM starting September 11th.  Are weekdays better for you?  We can help with that; join us on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 PM, beginning on October 4th. 

FINANCIAL PLANNING SEMINARS:  As part of our fall stewardship focus on Simplicity, Generosity and Joy:  Enough, we are offering two sessions on financial planning on Saturday, October 29th.  Both sessions will include information on the financial risk faces by families, debt management, investing, insurance, and estate planning.  The first session, from 9 AM to noon, will provide basic information for younger people and those in the early stages of financial planning.  The second session, from 1 to 4 PM, is for those more experienced with financial planning.  There is no cost for these sessions, but enrollment is limited, so please sign up by e-mailing Barb Tuceling at tuceling@cox.net, indicating which session you’d like to attend.  Our presenter, Pat Beagle, is the owner and President of WealthCrest Financial Services, LLC.  He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and a Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL) who holds two Masters Degrees, one of which is a Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in Individual Financial Planning.  As an Investment Advisor Representative, Patrick has helped many clients over the past 16 years develop sound financial plans custom tailored to their individual needs.

Born and raised in Illinois, Patrick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1979.  Later, he was commissioned, serving most of his career as a Naval Aviator.  He transitioned from the Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel after more than 24 years of service, to open WealthCrest Financial Services.  A noted authority and speaker, he has had guest appearances on the local ABC and CBS TV affiliates in Washington, DC and speaks regularly at pre-retirement seminars to raise awareness about financial planning issues.  He is also sought as a contributor to print articles on federal and military benefits and has been cited in several major publications including Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Investment News, The Washington Post, and Military Times.  Patrick is very active in his community and the financial services industry.  His volunteer efforts have included pro bono financial planning for injured military personnel and low income individuals referred through local charity organizations.  He speaks on topics related to financial planning and works as an adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America.  He is an active member of the Financial Planning Association, National Eagle Scout Association, Military Officers Association of America and the Marine Executive Association.

Why are Christians called to be generous givers?

• As a grateful response to God’s work in our lives
• Advances the Gospel
• Adds meaning to life
• Helps people in need
• Is an investment in something we believe in
• Insures a vital and healthy church
• Helps us grow spiritually
• Is a sign of our financial priorities

Where does my giving go?

• Supports extensive mission and outreach programs, including numerous food and comfort efforts, community support, and disaster relief.
• Enables St. Matthew's Youth and Children’s Ministries, fostering a Christian community where youth and children can experience a meaningful relationship with God and make a difference in the world.
• Provides inspiring worship, with services three times weekly, including the CrossRoads service.
• Supports uplifting music program with vocal and handbell choirs for all ages.
• Enables classes for all ages to discover meaning and purpose in life.
• Helps provide funds for critical building improvements.

Luke 12:48, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required,” reminds us that God is calling us to use our time, talents, and nurturing to help those in need.  Every year St. Matthew’s provides an opportunity for members to answer this call through numerous missions, including:

 And many others...

Without St. Matthew’s, many critical mission areas may not occur at all.  Our church provides a center for people to meet and support these worthy causes as well as providing direct financial support through our general operating budget.  Your financial pledge makes this possible.

We pray that you will choose to pledge for 2011 to help ensure the financial strength of St. Matthew's and the many missions and ministries it supports.  Please pledge your support today!

Pledge materials are mailed out each September to members of our church family. These materials are also available below.  Please take time to read, study, and pray over these materials. Our church is asking you to grow as a steward and make a generous commitment to the annual mission and ministry budget. Return your pledge information to the church office or place it in our offering plate during any worship service. Thank you for your prayerful consideration and support.

In Christ, all things are possible!  We look forward to reporting to you the success of this campaign!

Help St. Matthew's reach more people in need by donating your financial gifts online.

The goal of this campaign is to receive pledges from St. Matthew’s parishioners totaling at least $450,000 to fund a variety of deferred capital improvements that will be necessary over the next five years.  When completed during the 2011-2014 timeframe, these improvements will renew our maturing church facility, lower annual operating costs, reduce our environmental footprint and improve the quality of fellowship and service opportunities at our church.
 

$1 a Day Makes it Happen

“Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  
(2 Corinthians 9:7) 

St. Matthew’s facilities range from nearly 20 to over 50 years in age.  Our church serves on average about 2400 people per week for a full range of God’s work in service to our congregation and community.  As such, it is almost constantly in use.  For many of the past 10 years, only the most urgent repairs have been undertaken as funds have been insufficient to meet an ever-expanding list of capital improvement requirements.  Despite our best efforts to fund St. Matthew’s capital improvement priorities, it is unlikely that sufficient resources will be available from our regular annual stewardship campaign to satisfy these critical needs.