This is Pastor Chuck. Lots going on this Monday. First, some prayer requests; then, the short version of our year-end finances. (The full financial report is available at the church.) After that, I want to summarize what I said in the sermon Sunday for those of you who could not be here.
Let's continue to be in prayer for Bill Pendleton, whose condition is up and down at Holston View Medical Center. You may recall he had a mass removed from his brain. He's now struggling with infections in other parts of his body.
Margie Beasley asks for prayers for her family. Her brother-in-law, Bill Houseright, is experiencing some serious heart problems today at Holston View Medical. Margie's father, Stan Bateman, is having complications after femur surgery. She also thanks us for praying for her husband, Tom, as he continues to recover from orthopedic surgery. Let's remember this extended family.
Here are the highlights from our 2024 financial report:
Gifts to the General Fund: $226,140.74
Total Expenses: $252,367.87
We were able to pay off our disaffiliation loan, which stood at $54,832 when the year began.
Our building loan balance at year's end was $362,644. We were able to pay that down nearly $300,000 with proceeds from the sale of the parsonage.
We will talk more about Christian giving soon. My basic approach is to encourage everyone to commit a percentage of income, given as you receive. Tithing (the giving of 10 percent) is ideal, but if you're not yet moved to try that, at least pray about establishing a smaller percentage. I think working in percentages is easier for people than pledging a particular amount. If your income goes up or down, your giving adjusts accordingly.
If you were unable to be with us Sunday, I would encourage you to take time to watch the sermon on YouTube, at this link. The Scripture reading preceding the sermon begins about 32 minutes into the video.
In my heart, it was a call to action, an indicator of where I intend to focus my efforts as a pastor, and where I hope you will begin to focus yours as fellow disciples of Jesus Christ. Much of what I said has been shaped by some very good training I have been through in the last few months, training that will continue through April and that has served as a wake-up call for me.
In short, it is time that we begin living as New Testament disciples, people who trust that God's power is among them, and who are willing to live out their faith publicly. The goal is simple. We need to find the lost and bring them into a relationship with Jesus Christ. See Acts 1:8, which I referenced in the sermon.
I could not explain the "how" in great detail in the sermon, but I am going to create opportunities where those of you who are willing to commit can better understand how we do this. I even created a little logo to mark those ministries committed to an Acts 1:8 mindset. It looks like this:

Seeing that, you will at least know the expectations for those ministries' participants. Individually, your commitment will be to recognize God's power in your life and understand your calling. Yes, each and every one of you has a calling. It may be tied to work you do already, or it may be separate. Once you find it, your life will change.
Opportunity no. 1 has existed for several weeks now. It is our prayer gathering at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. Unsure of your calling? Let's pray about it together.
On Sunday, people wanting to begin this new commitment filled out cards at the prayer rail. Blank cards will remain out in the sanctuary for a while. You also can simply email me if you want to take a big step forward in discipleship.
Blessings on all of you,
Pastor Chuck
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