2024-2025 ANNUAL OFFERING

As we enter the fourth year of our church’s 5-year vision, we want to MULTIPLY our
faith and implement initiatives that will help us stay outreach-focused to intentionally
reach people for Gospel impact in our community, New England, and worldwide. For
more information on our 5-year vision, visit www.cityunited.church/future. 
Over this next year, we will focus on 3 intentional opportunities to MULTIPLY kingdom
impact and accomplish our 5-year vision. We will focus on Outreach and
Evangelism, Next Gen Environments, and Building Improvements.

The Focus Areas of This Offering

OUTREACH AND EVANGELISM THROUGH DISASTER RELIEF AND
READY CHURCH:

City United Church's commitment is to be On Mission locally, regionally, and globally. We have made Jesus’ last command our first concern. We can step into the brokenness in our community and region by becoming a Ready Church, prepared to respond in a time of need. God has blessed City United Church with trained Disaster Relief volunteers and a Ready Church team. These individuals are ready to deploy in times of crisis, showing compassion to our local community and God’s love to people in need. Now it is time to provide these teams with a vehicle capable of towing trailers filled with the tools, materials, and resources needed as they deploy and serve.

We need to raise $32,000 for a Ready Church truck.

NEXT GEN ENVIRONMENTS:

City United is a church that aims to empower the next generation. We desire to create environments and spaces that tweens and teens love to spend time in and where they can grow in their relationship with Jesus. Since we use these spaces on our campus every week, they are in need of a refresh. Items like flooring, games, equipment, etc., need upgrading.

We need to raise $15,000 to begin to refresh spaces for our Next Gen to enjoy and thrive in.

CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS - BUILDING 1:

The use of Building 1 has multiplied over the past year. Each week, the building is used for individual groups, training, meetings, Elevate Young Adults, Senior Adult meet-ups, and so much more. It also houses many of our staff offices. With the recent increase in use, we need to continue to make improvements to ensure that it lasts for the years to come. The next phase of renovations and improvements includes improving the safety of the exterior of the building and the external staircases.

We need to raise $15,000 for building improvements on Building 1.

Popular Questions

Why a Special Offering?

As part of God’s plan to grow our faith, He calls us to sacrificial giving from time to time.  This special Annual Offering is an opportunity for us to grow in our faith and to prepare us for what God wants to do through our church in 2024.  This offering is to position our church to make a greater impact in 2024.

What’s the Difference Between the Regular Offering and this special Annual Offering?

The starting point of the regular City United Church offering is the proportional amount (the full tithe of 10%) that we set apart on a systematic basis and give throughout the year (see cityunited.church/give).  From time to time there are opportunities to give in a sacrificial way.  This special Annual Offering is one of those sacrificial occasions that stretches us to grow in our faith. This special Annual Offering should be above and beyond what you regularly give to the General Fund.

How Much Should I Give?

Since the goal is $62,000, this special Annual Offering will involve everyone.  Please prayerfully consider a sacrificial gift that will stretch your faith.  The precise amount you give is between you and God.  Many in our church can give a $1,000, $5,000 or even a $10,000 gift.  Others will be able to give between $100 and $500.  The issue is not equal giving, but equal sacrifice.  The question is, “What amount can you give that will stretch your faith?”  Remember, consistent gifts over time add up – a person giving $50 per week over a ten-week period will give $500 to this special Annual Offering. It is going to take you to make this happen.

Why is the Goal So Large?

We believe that God is Bigger! We are a church that has dared to dream big dreams for God despite setbacks and surprises (James 4:2-3).  The ministries supported by this offering are BIG – expanding our reach locally and globally through outreach and evangelism, refreshing environments for our Next Gen Ministries, and moving forward with building improvements. Big dreams require big faith and big funding.  The accomplishment of these big dreams will be determined by your sacrificial gifts to this special Annual Offering. Our goal is BIG because our God is BIGGER!

When Should I Give?

The best time to give will be the first Sunday after you receive this packet.  However, please pray about making your best gift between Giving Tuesday, December 3 and Sunday, December 8.  You can continue to give until February 9, 2025 if you desire to break your gifts up over the course of the offering, or God lays it on your heart to give again. 

Please use the MULTIPLY offering envelopes or include a note indicating that your gift is for the MULTIPLY special Annual Offering.  When using text-to-give, use the keyword “multiply.”

Can I Give Online via debit/credit card?

Yes.  When you give at www.cityunited.church via online giving, simply select “MULTIPLY” under the “Fund” drop-down menu.  Likewise, you can use your bank online payment option to send a check directly to the church office.  Again, simply mark in the memo area that your gift is for the “MULTIPLY Offering." If you would like to make a special one-time auto/debit above and beyond your regular giving, please do so at www.cityunited.church/give.
Give to MULTIPLY now

Can I Give In-Kind Gifts of Stocks or Bonds?

Of course.  Since City United Church is a 501c3 organization there can be tremendous tax benefits for you by giving in-kind gifts.  For information on this type of giving, simply call 978-582-4901 to speak with Pastor Gary or e-mail office@cityunited.church.

Are My Gifts Tax-Deductible?

All gifts to City United Church, whether via the regular offering or this special Annual Offering, are completely tax-deductible.  Your gift will be deductible in the tax year given (i.e., gifts given in 2024 will be deductible on your 2024 taxes).  Please be sure to include your name and address when you give so a receipt can be sent to you for your tax preparations.  You are not required to utilize a tax-deduction for your gift, but it is available for all gifts.

How Did We Arrive at a $62,000 Goal?

The $62,000 goal was prayerfully set by City United Church staff and current financial projections.  It is approximately four times our regular weekly giving.  It is a God-sized goal that can only be accomplished through 100% participation and sacrificial giving by our City United Church attenders, members, and friends of our church.  Since we are expecting God to bless this special Annual Offering, it has been determined that any amount over and above our goal will be divided equally between missions and ministry advancement.

How Will I Know if We Reach Our Goal?

Please pray for God’s guidance as we all give sacrificially.  You will be updated on our giving progress through this webpage (at the top), our weekly email, during various worship gatherings, and through MULTIPLY mailings.  Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what we can do together as we stretch our faith under God’s leadership.
Give to MULTIPLY now
If you have any additional questions, please call 978-582-4901 to
speak with Pastor Gary or e-mail office@cityunited.church

“from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies. according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” – Ephesians 4:16

God Is Bigger!