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« December 1, 2004 | December 1, 2004 | December 9, 2004 » Pastor's PagePosted on December 1, 2004 ...
With the beginning of Advent and the Christmas Season comes one of my favorite times of emphasis throughout the church year. This is the season that we as Southern Baptists promote prayer and giving for International Missions. In the weeks ahead we have the opportunity to illustrate again one of the things that distinguishes us as a congregation: GIVING TO MISSIONS. Last year, Southern Baptists gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions increased by 18 %! These gifts allowed the International Mission Board to open the gates for new missionaries to follow the Lord’s calling. Approximately one half of the funding for Southern Baptist International Missions comes from this offering. North Cleveland Baptist Church gives twice the percent of our regular budget to missions as compared to other Southern Baptist congregations. In addition, our special mission gifts always are far above average. At our November Business meeting, our church adopted a recommendation from the Missions Committee that our 2004 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal be set at $20,000.00. The recommendation included this challenge: That we achieve this goal by Christmas Eve! Again this year, we will feature a Lottie Moon Christmas Tree in our sanctuary. This tree is decorated with ten strands of Christmas lights. For every $2,000.00 collected for our Lottie Moon offering, we will light a new strand of lights. Last year, this tree was only about three quarters lit for our Christmas Eve Communion Service. It was a reminder of a task our church had yet to accomplish. Each of us wants to celebrate Christmas Eve with everything completed that needs to be finished before Christmas. By Christmas Eve we want every gift purchased and wrapped. By Christmas Eve we want every decoration in place. Before Christmas Eve, let us finish the task of giving $20,000.00 to help tell the world about Jesus Christ! God has given us the means to attain and exceed this challenge! I am bringing my family’s gift THIS Sunday. When will you bring yours? We can do it together! |
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North Cleveland
Baptist Church · 2815 North Ocoee Street · Cleveland,
Tennessee 37312 · (423) 476-8524 |
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