October 26, 2009 

Dear Messiah Friends,

On Sunday, November 1st our congregation will review the Six Key Financial Principles. We are sending them to each household and passing them out in worship because we believe they are critical in helping everyone to live simply and generously. Please take time to read these principles and Scriptures. They will make a great table devotional for you and your family. By practicing these biblical principles, all of us can find greater simplicity, contentment, generosity, and joy for our lives. Keep the card on the refrigerator or somewhere you will keep running into these principles.

1. Pay your tithe and offering first.
2. Create a budget and track your expenses.
3. Simplify your lifestyle (live below your means).
4. Establish an emergency fund.
5. Pay off your credit cards, use cash/debit cards for purchases, and use credit wisely.
6. Practice long-term savings and investing habits.

On Sunday, November 8, the sermon will be “Cultivating Contentment.” We live in a society full of economic problems that result from materialism. This message will offer practical and biblical help for the financial issues that challenge and stress so many of us. In Matthew 6:19-20, 24 we read these words, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. . . . store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. . . You cannot serve both God and Money” (NIV). You will hear a message on how to de-clutter your life, work toward developing contentment and learn God’s will for our lives in the area of finances. 

On Sunday, November 15, we will have the final message in this sermon series: “Defined by Generosity.” On November 16 we will mail a first class letter to you to record your personal commitment for the coming year. The following weekend, November 21/22, will be Consecration Sunday. In worship we will bring our commitment cards forward and consecrate our personal commitment. 

This year 467 households returned a commitment card as a witness of giving to God and as a way to plan their giving for our ministry. We hope and pray to increase the number of households that will take a step out in faith and return a commitment card for God’s ministry and mission at Messiah in 2010. 

Join us in worship as we celebrate and consecrate our gifts to the ministry of our church in the coming year. We can live as people of hope, learning how to live with simplicity, contentment, generosity, and true joy!

In Christ, 
Stan Ling, Stan Fawley, Wendy Lybarger