Stewardship:
Using
Our Gifts for God's Glory
When God created the earth, he gave mankind a special
role. He gave us dominion over the earth. Likewise,
each of us today has unique gifts, abilities, and resources
that God has placed under our
control. He calls us to use them for his glory, but
the choice is ours. He gives us the freedom. What a
loving God!
Our God loves us so much that he made a great sacrifice
for us. As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
God reminds us that we are continually blessed by His grace in our lives, by saying, "I will bless you...so that you will be a blessing." (Genesis 12:2) We are called on to respond, and to use the blessings the Lord has given us to further His kingdom here on earth. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus says, "Let your light shine before others, so that they might see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."
Each of us can make a difference with what God has given
us. How exciting that we can be a part of his plan for
the world! North Avenue Presbyterian Church provides
many opportunities for you to participate in God’s work.
You can share your time, talents, and treasure.
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Stewardship
Emphasis 2008
All of us at North Avenue have been blessed in countless ways by God, whether through family, a strong prayer community, small-group relationships, deep Christian friendships, opportunities for spiritual growth, an external focus on mission, and in other ways as well. This year, we hope that all of us can reflect on the blessings in our lives and, in turn, discern how God would have us use our blessings to further His kingdom.
Our offerings serve the Lord and help us to participate in His Kingdom-building here on Earth. The financial blessings you provide
support and give life to the ministries and programs
of North Avenue Presbyterian Church.
As a church that strives to be internally strong and externally focused, God calls on us to prayerfully consider the ways that we support our church and its ministries as a response to His blessings and faithfulness. We hope that you will be in prayer with us during Stewardship Emphasis Season in the month of October.
Please feel free to contact
Stewardship Ministry Team co-chairs, Todd Patrick or Greg Scherrer, with any questions
on Stewardship Emphasis 2007.
Sincerely,
Todd Patrick & Greg Scherrer
2007-2008 Co-Chairs
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Time
& Talents
How much time can you contribute
to assisting with a ministry at NAPC? What
skills or abilities do you have that could help benefit people
in need? Pray about it!
If you know where you'd like to get involved or if you'd like to speak to someone about where you might be able to help, contact one of the ministry coordinators below.
Childen’s
Ministry
Sunday School teachers and assistants, Nursery volunteers, preschool volunteers, Vacation Bible School, children’s choirs, camp chaperones
Contact Marti Jackson, interim coordinator, ext. 243
College
and Young Adult Ministries
Bible studies, retreats, social events
Contact Jeff Meyers, ext. 216
Communications
Photography, audio and visual operations in worship, server maintenance, PR
Contact Whitney Williams, ext. 215
Congregational Care
Homebound contact, group outings, hospital visits
Contact Frank Eldridge, ext. 247
Discipleship
Sunday School, Bible studies, small groups
Contact Rev. Susan Bennett, ext. 202
Hospitality and Membership
Development
NAPC 101 hosts, Sunday morning greeters/ambassadors, other hospitality ministries
Contact Kay Carlson, ext. 213
Music
& the Arts
Chancel Choir, Handbell Guild, Orchestra NAPC, worship team
Contact Melinda Clark, ext. 208
Urban
Ministry
24/7 Gateway Center, the Cup worship service, Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children, various service projects and Bible studies
Contact Amber Jipp
World
Outreach
ESL classes, mission trips, international fellowship, welcome dinners, Mission Conference
Contact Kristina Robb-Dover, ext. 220
Youth
Ministry
Sunday night meetings, small groups, retreats, summer trips
Contact Jessica Dart, ext. 205 |
Treasures
Are you
able to contribute financially to
the ministry work of NAPC? Has God
blessed you with a steady income or
other appreciable assets? Pray for God’s guidance, review
the list of options, and decide if one of them
is a good fit for you.
For more information on giving, please contact Roger
Young in the Business Office at (404) 875-0431,
ext. 222.
Current giving opportunities
Cash and checks
Your financial support provides the resources necessary
to sustain the vision and ministries of NAPC.
Automatic bank withdrawal
You may authorize NAPC to initiate recurring gifts debited
from your bank account.
Appreciated securities, real estate, and personal
property
There may be substantial tax advantages to you if you give
assets to NAPC which have increased in value, rather than
selling the assets and giving the proceeds of the sale.
Designated gifts
Designated gifts provide a way for you to target a specific
ministry or program with your giving.
Charitable gift annuities
A gift of assets today can make current ministries possible,
as well as provide regular income to you during your lifetime
and potential tax benefits.
Future giving opportunities
Endowment funds
Monies contributed to an endowment fund become a permanent
part of the fund, earning interest for the intended purpose.
North Avenue has five endowments covering these areas: benevolence,
mission, urban ministry, building, and general needs.
Charitable trusts
Trusts may be established to benefit ministries at NAPC
while reducing your estate tax liability. Trusts can be
set up to provide lifetime income for yourself or members
of your family. NAPC receives
the remainder after your death. You may also receive an
immediate tax reduction.
Wills
Giving through your will may save considerable estate taxes
while
supporting what God is doing at NAPC.
The language in your will can be as simple as: “I hereby
bequeath to North Avenue Presbyterian Church, 607 Peachtree
Street, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30308,
(dollar amount, percentage, or residual amount of estate;
or fully describe the asset being given).”
Life estates
A generous investment in the future of NAPC can be made
in the form of a gift of your home today. You are able to
live in your home for as long as you wish, and
you receive an immediate tax deduction.
Life insurance
If your paid-up life insurance policy no longer plays an
important part in your estate planning goals, you can support
future ministries when you make NAPC the beneficiary of your
policy.
Retirement accounts
All or part of your IRA or other retirement plan can be
given to NAPC. When you make NAPC a beneficiary, you may
realize income or estate tax deductions. |
