Giving

Our expenses exceeded our income this month but did not exceed the budgeted amount. We paid the remaining amount for the seal coating of the parking lot and had our annual test of the fire alarm system where they found some repairs to be made. Seal coating will only have to be done every other year going forward. We also had expenses to repair the van after the catalytic converters were stolen. Next month will reflect the insurance payment received to offset this expense.

We sent a check from the Catch the Wave Church Planting fund to Uncommon Church where Pastor Bee is planting the church in Lisbon, IA. This will allow him to get signage for the church and other marketing materials. We will share more at the Fall Business Meeting in October.

The sun has set on summer and we move into a favorite season for many. Autumn brings colorful leaves and crisp evenings to have a bonfire and enjoy time with friends. Today is that fun fall activity of Homecoming at the Rolling Meadows High School. The date that the football team comes home for their first game after having several away football games. Those of you who know me are impressed that I know this because I didn't even watch the "BIG GAME" last weekend. : ) When my oldest was in High School I went to the games to see the marching band. He played trumpet. I miss those days. The thrill in the air, the cheering, the drum core escorting the team on the field, the kids running with the RMHS flags when they would get a touchdown, the sound of the band playing pep tunes and the halftime show that they worked so hard to memorize and perform.

There's a homecoming that I look forward to even more. As a Christian we know this verse well:

 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

It's humbling and awe inspiring to think HE prepares a place for you. Our God loves us so much that he prepares a place for us in heaven. A homecoming like no other. We will see friends and family who have gone 'home' before us. Imagine the marching band we will enjoy there! : )

Tell me what you look forward to with this homecoming in heaven.

But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.  If all were a single member, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 1 Corinthians 12:18-20

The above excerpt is only part of the message so please make sure to read verses 12-31 in 1 Corinthians. The Bible I am reading from has a heading of "One Body with Many Members". Are we called to be amongst our fellow congregation members and be a team? I'll answer that questions with a question straight from the text above, "If all were a single member, where would the body be?" It seems like that is a resounding YES! We should be a team working together as one body just like the illustration of our human body working together.

You need to be present with other members to be a team. If you use the example of sports you can't sit on the bench or join the team by watching them play the game on your TV. There are many parts of the Bible that speak about the fellowship of believers and unity and gathering. None of those descriptions include standing alone.

What do we do on a team? The Bible says everyone has gifts. Sometimes you are not aware of your gifts because it comes easy to you and you assume everyone is wired up just like you. Ask someone close to you to let you know what they think your gift is and where they think you should use your gifts. Then join a team here at church! (See 1Cor 12 and see Romans 12)

What does this have to do with the financial update? I'm excited for this new chapter for Meadows Christian Fellowship as we are building many teams here including a finance team! You can look forward to the next Business Meeting to hear more about the finance team. In the meantime if you are interested in joining a team here and you don't know how to use your gifts don't wait for an announcement to join a specific team please find me on a Sunday morning when you join us for worship at 9:30 or feel free to email me at sherold@meadowsfamily.org.

Tomorrow we have our business meeting where we affirm a new elder and vote to accept the budget.  You should have received an email with the budget attached 2 weeks ago.  Look for it in your inbox from Mary Crook.   We will have a hardcopy at the meeting tomorrow if you need it.  We will meet from 11-12 and enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Dewight Johnson.  He is an answer to prayer please make sure to thank him (and all our volunteers) for their service. Let's especially thank Tim Copeland and Jim Herold for their service as Elders. Don't forget to thank Mary for all her hard work learning so much and embracing updating the website and using her creative gifts and gifs of administration.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”. 2 Cor 9:7 

You can see in the above graphic that we have much to be thankful for as a church.  You all are a testimony to the Bible verse above.   I can tell that you prayerfully consider what you will give.  You will find out tomorrow that our finances are in good standing and ready for the new fiscal year and all that it holds.  It is a blessing to report on our March finances with 104% of the YTD budget met.  It’s great to see that we will finish this fiscal year strong with more than a 3 month reserve available for the future.

If you are a member of the church and wish to have more detailed finance reports please feel free to request it. Ask via email:  atreasurer@meadowsfamily.org