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Posted on January 3, 2006 ...

Most of us associate the end of the year with some form of a countdown. As the clock ticks toward midnight, the numbers steadily become smaller and smaller. But there is one key part of our church life where the end of the year is a time to count up.

Late last week marked the closure of our church?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s 2005 financial year. As always, those days were an intense season of bookkeeping as we counted up our closing expenditures, our final deposits, and our year-end balances. This busyness was heightened because December was by far our most generous month of giving. Special recognition goes to our Financial Secretary, Jean Cannon, for her devoted work in accounting for it all.

Now that things are all counted up, where do we stand? I am pleased to report that North Cleveland Baptist Church completed another strong stewardship year in 2005. Here are a few highlights:

?Ǭ? We exceeded all three of our major mission offering goals. In fact, in 2005 our church gave more than ever before to each of these special offerings, including gifts of over $25,000.00 to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
?Ǭ? We completed the pay off of all our church indebtedness.
?Ǭ? We ALMOST finished the budget year in the black. Extraordinary generous budget giving during the closing weeks of 2005 left a deficit between our budget gifts and our budget expenditures of only $1,316.96. While it is certainly favorable to finish in the black, note that budget revenues equaled over 99.79% of budget spending.

This week we will be sending out stewardship records to all of our 2005 contributors. Those people who receive this report can count up their own level of stewardship commitment to the ministries of our congregation.

Remember, the Bible teaches that God expects His people to give one-tenth of their income to Him. If you are not already a tither, resolve to begin in 2006. You will delight in your discovery that this discipline is a source of great joy and pride in your Christian walk.
See you Sunday, Jay
OUR RECORD SPEAKS ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú Jan. 1, 2006

Tithes & Offerings $8,621.16 Sunday School 236
Specified Receipts 0.00 Adults?¢‚Ǩ¬¶..164 Youth?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶..25
Designated Gifts 348.00 Children...?¢‚Ǩ¬¶30 Preschool?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶.17
TOTAL $8,969.16 Morning Worship?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶326

Budget Gifts to date?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶.$8,621.16 Budget needs to date?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶.?¢‚Ǩ¬¶..$11,005.45
Lottie Moon?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶?¢‚Ǩ¬¶$25,103.00

Jan. 1 thru Dec. 31, 2005 TOTALS

Receipts & Offerings (money received) $596,097.57

Expenses (money spent) $597,414.53

Expenses over Receipts (difference) $1,316.96