MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
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December 8, 2023

Dear Church Family,
Advent is in full swing at First Methodist! We are having fun as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s coming to us in the incarnation and our lives to welcome Jesus when he returns.
Our worship services have been uplifting as we seek to learn about the Unshakable Joy that comes from our faith in Jesus. Many Sunday School classes have gathered or will soon get together for their annual Christmas parties.
Last week’s Family Advent worship Downtown was a wonderful gathering where each family came away with an Advent wreath to use for their faith formation at home.
We have many things to look forward to as our celebration continues. Our digital Magi tree is up and running to provide Christmas for our neighbors far and near. Poinsettia orders and NIA Tamale Sale (see below) continue and wrap up this Sunday. Both will arrive next Sunday, December 17.
Next week we will be hosting Christmas Parties for NIA (December 13th at 3:00 p.m.) and Lifeline (December 14th at 9:30 a.m.) and volunteers are needed for each. Our beloved Lessons and Carols service will be next Sunday, December 17th, during both our West Campus and Downtown Traditional Services.
We are working with Sunday School classes on reaching out to our members whom we haven’t seen in awhile with an invitation to join us for Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve. You can help! If there are those you notice haven’t been with us in-person, will you reach out and invite them to join you for one of our upcoming celebrations?
I join with the Apostle Paul in praying that “the God of hope [may] fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” – this season and always.
See you Sunday,
Yours in Christ,
Lance Richards
Senior Pastor
[email protected]


STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
# of Pledges to Date: 167
Pledged Income to Date: $1,810,319
Goal for # of pledges: 250
Financial Goal: $2,300,000
Stretch Goal: $2,600,000 (this will allow us to fund all current ministries due to inflationary expenses on fixed costs)
Read below to see how this compares to pledges for 2023.
2023 END OF YEAR FINANCIAL UPDATE
GENERAL MINISTRIES
Total # of Pledges: 219
Pledge Income Anticipated: $2,000,000
Pledge Income Received (YTD): $1,766,956
Pledge Income Needed by 12/31: $233,044
Non-Pledge Income Anticipated: $1,200,000
Non-Pledge Income Received (YTD): $644,266
Non-Pledge Income Needed by 12/31: $555,734
TOTAL INCOME NEEDED FOR GENERAL MINISTRIES BY 12/31: $788,778
MISSIONS
Total # of pledges: 142
Pledge Income Anticipated: $270,000
Pledge Income Received (YTD): $230,415
Pledge Income Needed by 12/31: $39,585
Non-Pledge Income Anticipated: $150,000
Non-Pledge Income Received (YTD): $140,929
Non-Pledge Income Needed by 12/31: $9,071
TOTAL INCOME NEEDED FOR MISSIONS BY 12/31: $48,656