A Guide to Giving: 2020

arlingtonmethodist.org/give

There seem to be so many things in our life and in our world that weigh us down. The news cycle, personal finances, keeping up with other people, busy schedules all seem to burden us from time to time. God wants us to be able to break free from these things that keep us from fully living the life that God intends for us and wants us to find the joy and peace that only comes from Jesus Christ.

One of the most effective ways we can break free from these things is by committing ourselves in generous giving as we live into the words of Christ who taught that “where our treasure is there our heart will be as well�(Matthew 6:21). So many of you give generously and know the joy and hope that it is to live from a place of abundance, truly using your gifts and belongings for God’s ministries. Over this past year, your generosity through FUMC of Arlington has made it possible for us to see more and more people in worship, connect with more children and youth, and reach out into our community with the love of Christ. I am so thankful for all of your gifts that have made these things possible, but we have so much work left to do.

For 2020, I deeply pray that we might break free from the constraints of our worldly possessions and feelings of financial scarcity and offer our money and time so that our church can be the hands and feet of Christ in even more

ways, to even more people. I envision a church family where we are clearly communicating with people of all ages and backgrounds that they are loved by God and by our church as we strive to truly “love our neighbor as ourselves” (Mark 12:31). In addition, I dream about how we can better “love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength” (Mark 12:30) through vibrant worship and life-long discipleship – becoming more like Jesus every day.

It is only by your gifts and generosity that we will be able to offer the ministries of love and grace to the congregation we love and the community/world around us. I pray that you might consider how you can participate in that exciting opportunity. If you have not given regularly before, I urge you to consider giving a percentage of your income back to God (even if it is only 2% to begin with) and see how offering your gifts to God changes your relationship with material things and changes where your heart ultimately finds itself. If you are already giving, please consider increasing your pledge and giving by a few percentage points so that we can do the new and expanded ministries that God is calling us to be a part of here and now.

When we give generously, we can break free from our culture of more and we can find the true joy and hope that comes from investing in Christ’s love.

If you have any questions about generous giving please feel free to contact us any time and prayerfully consider returning the enclosed card with your planned 2020 gift no later than November 24, 2019 so that we can budget and plan for the year to come. Thank you again for your generosity!

AN APPROACH TO BEGIN WITH PRAYER Thank God for your blessings and ask for guidance and discernment.

ASSESS YOUR INCOME AND GIVING Determine your current giving as a percentage of your income.

SET YOUR GIVING GOAL If you are not currently tithing (giving ten percent of your income), start with a lower percentage and then plan to increase the percentage each year, growing toward the tithe. The important thing is to begin the spiritual discipline of regular, consistent giving.

DETERMINE GIVING METHOD Take a look at the ways you can give and select the option that is best for both you and the church.

WORSHIP WITH GRATITUDE Fill out your 2020 annual commitment card and worship on November 24.

As a congregation, we will express our gratitude to God and present our cards, representing our commitment to God’s ministry through our church.

Pledges can be made online at arlingtonmethodist.org/give or by returning your 2020 pledge card to the church on Loyalty Sunday, November 24.

STEP UP TO A Guide to Giving as a Percentage of Income

W E E K LY G I V I N G Income

2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12%

$20,000

8

15

23

31

38

46

$40,000

15

31

46

62

77

92

$60,000

23

46

69

92

115

138

$80,000

31

62

92 123 154

185

$100,000

38

77 115 154 192

231

$125,000

48

96 144 192 240

288

$150,000

58 115 173 231 288

346

$175,000

67 135 202 269 337

404

$200,000

77 154 231 308 385

462

$250,000

96 192 288 385 481

577

$300,000 115 231 346 462 577

692

STEP 1

If you are not regularly giving, make a commitment to giving at least $5 per week ($20 per month) and return a 2020 pledge card.

STEP 2 Commit to increasing your giving for 2020 by 1%–3% of your income, as you move toward the goal of giving the tithe, 10% of your income, and return a 2020 pledge card.

STEP 3 If you are currently tithing 10% of your income, thank you for your faithfulness. Please return your 2020 pledge card and prayerfully consider increasing your commitment by 1%– 3% to help take advantage of the opportunities before us.

W H E R E OU R

GOES These are just a few examples of how our generosity impacts both our congregation and local community throughout the year

10,000+

books given away at the tenth annual Book Carnival

800

dozen cookies were baked for Kairos Prison Ministry, which serves two prisons

350+

children attended VBS and other children’s camps throughout the year

200

people celebrated our 141st anniversary in July at the Tabernacle Festival with hymns, a circuit rider, and a cobbler contest Renovations have been made across the building including new HVAC systems, updates to the playground, rebuilt appliances in the kitchen, new light fixtures, and more

10

new families added to our First Friday special needs respite program

400+

students and their families served at Webb through Trunk or Treat Giving allows us to purchase new music, curriculum, and more for our children & family ministries which helps to grow this vital area of our church

600

people in attendance at the annual children’s musical

Generous giving allows our evangelism team to reach out to the community and welcome them to FUMCA

13

college students sang with us through the scholarship singer ministry

A wheelchair ramp and new porch were built for a local 12-year-old student. Many other mission and outreach projects were funded as well

3

new high density Wi-Fi access points were installed, in addition to upgraded internet services, for easier staff, congregation, and guest communications An increase in giving will not only allow us to continue serving our congregation and community through our various ministries and outreach programs, but will allow FUMC of Arlington to be the hands and feet of Christ in even more ways, to even more people

For more information on giving, visit arlingtonmethodist.org/give