News & Announcements
Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity
On Sunday October 1st we will begin a church-wide study and worship emphasis called Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity.
Over a period of five weeks, we will look at some of the financial challenges facing us as a nation and examine our own spending, saving, and giving habits.
In addition to exploring biblical principles of financial management, we will learn ways to assess our financial situation and develop a financial plan that will allow us to experience the true joy that comes through simplicity and generosity.
At the end of the emphasis, we will have the opportunity to make personal commitments of giving for the coming year.
We will consecrate these commitments on the first Sunday in November.
We are offering small-group study opportunities on Thursday mornings at 10:30 and Thursday evenings at 6:30, beginning October 1st. You can sign up today on our website.
Schedule of Events:
| (Oct 1) | Study Group Begins: Faith in the Midst of Financial Crisis |
| (Oct 4) | Sermon: When Dreams Become Nightmares |
| (Oct 8) | Study Group: When Dreams Become Nightmares |
| (Oct 11) | Sermon: Wisdom and Finance |
| (Oct 15) | Study Group: Wisdom and Finance |
| (Oct 18) | Sermon: Cultivating Contentment |
| (Oct 22) | Study Group: Cultivating Contentment |
| Oct 25) | Sermon: Defined by Generosity |
| (Oct 29) | Study Group: Defined by Generosity |
| (Nov 1) | Consecration Sunday |
| (Nov 15) | Celebration Sunday - Results Celebration and Consecration of Next Year's Ministry Commitments |
Last Sunday our congregation reviewed the Six Key Financial Principles. In case you missed it, we are sending them to each household. 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.
Six Key Financial 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.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
GRANDVIEW, TEXAS
Basic Budget Worksheet
|
| Item | Actual % | Suggested %* | Plan for next 12 months |
| Housing | | 25-35% | ____________________ |
| Transportation | | 10-15% | ____________________ |
| Charitable Gifts | | 10-12% | ____________________ |
| Food | | 5-15% | ____________________ |
| Saving | | 5-10% | ____________________ |
| Utilities | | 5-10% | ____________________ |
| Medical/Health | | 5-10% | ____________________ |
| Debt | | 5-10% | ____________________ |
| Clothing | | 2-7% | ____________________ |
| Miscellaneous | | 12-23% | ____________________ |
|
*These percentages are adapted from Dave Ramsey's
The Total Money Makeover (Thomas Nelson, 2007).
|
|
|
My Life and Financial Goals Worksheet
How would you define or describe your life purpose?
What are three goals that can help you to achieve this life purpose?
What are some financial goals that can help to support your life goals and purpose?
Short-term financial goals (next 12 months):
1.
2.
Mid-range financial goals (2-5 years):
1.
2.
Long-term financial goals (5 years to retirement):
1.
2.
|
Personal Goals and Commitment for 2010
Enough Stewardship Campaign
During the past few weeks, we have examined some of the financial challenges facing us as a nation, and we have looked at our own spending, saving, and giving habits. We have examined the biblical principles of financial management, and we have learned about ways to assess our financial situation and develop a financial plan that will allow us to experience the true joy that comes through simplicity and generosity. Now, on this Consecration Sunday, I ask God’s blessing of my commitment to these financial goals for the upcoming year.
My Personal Goals and Commitment for 2010
- I will thank God daily for all my blessings. My goal for daily Bible reading and prayer is ______ days each week.
- I will seek contentment and simplicity and live within my means. My spending goal is _______________________________________.
- I will seek freedom from the bonds of credit and debt. My debt reduction goal is ___________________________________.
- I will seek to wisely manage the gifts God has given me, investing and saving for the future. My saving goal is_____________________.
- I will worship God each week by the giving of my tithes and offerings. My estimate of giving for 2010 is _____________________________
Lord,
I present this commitment to you, acknowledging that everything I have and everything I am is a gift from you. I pray that you will grant me wisdom and strength in the coming year, and that you will bless and use the gifts that I humbly present to you. Amen.
For personal use. Place in your Bible for reference in the coming year.
|
