In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:19 NIV
As we approach the end of 2024, it is a time when we look back at where we have been and look forward to a promising future. We always want to start a new chapter in our lives on a solid footing. The Bible stresses many times that our lives need to be grounded. To be on a solid foundation.
As we look at 2024, in a way, it has been a challenging year, three hurricanes of varying strength. And maybe another one on the way. The year has been marked by a contentious election filled with negative political ads that had us turning on one another. Our mother church, the United Methodist Church, went through an unpleasant split and we lost some church families that we loved.
Yet, at St. Andrew’s UMC, we have much to be thankful for. We are happy to announce that we have added 40 new members to our church through our new member classes this year and more on the way with our current class. Plus, we have celebrated 26 baptisms in our worship services this year! Giving has been up since last year. And through all the adversity, our worship service attendances, in-person and online have remained steady.
We look forward to 2025 as we launch new initiatives as part of our theme, "Following God in a Changing World." Yet we cannot exactly say that the church is on a solid foundation going into the new year. Expenses that were unexpectedly higher than we budgeted, such as property insurance and utilities, have put the church in a deficit that could be around $30,000 at the end of 2024.
We want to go into the new year on a solid foundation so that the growth of the church and the flourishing of ministries can continue to advance in reaching others with Christ’s love. Everyone is struggling financially. However, if you could give a bit extra at the end of the year, it would be greatly appreciated. It would ensure that we enter the new year on solid ground so that St. Andrew’s can increase in its growth in faith and its outreach into our community. Thank you, and God’s blessings to you.