Thank You Message from Pastor Gary
The Focus Areas of This Offering
Benevolence Outreach:
The COVID-19 global pandemic is still affecting many people in our area and nation. As times begin to grow harder for people, the demands to help those we know are growing. We desire to fund a benevolence outreach fund that can meet financial needs of members and attenders of our church, our community, and our nation as we become aware of them. We want to be a light during the dark times and speak into the brokenness around us by assisting with physical needs. This focus area includes outreach to families in need, our area public schools, and local shelters and community organizations. Having funds on hand for benevolence will help us accomplish this.
We raised $5,000 for benevolence outreach.
If you would like to continue giving to our benevolence fund, click the button below.
Evangelistic Outreach:
As a church that continues to plant churches in New England, an area where the Gospel is not widely accepted, we are going to continue our current planting efforts and partnerships with organizations committed to the same mission. We are committed to supporting churches in New England, whether it's through church revitalization or church planting. This year's Evangelistic Outreach funds went to Forestdale Church, Vessel Skatepark (City Light Church), and the new ethnic ministries at City United Church (Brazilian and Hispanic).
We raised $4,259.22 for evangelistic outreach.
Missions and Global Outreach:
City United Church is committed to being On Mission locally, regionally, and globally. We have made Jesus’ last command our first concern. We have the opportunity to be the first church to partner with The Timothy Initiative to plant churches in a 100% Buddhist country and to establish a Gospel presence in Sri Lanka with church planters who have been raised up in India and will be heading back to their homeland to minister. Please download the project PDF to see how your giving will make a global impact. Our Goal is to raise $30,000 over two years to plant 100 churches in Sri Lanka.
We raised the first $15,000 towards this goal in this Annual Offering.
City Kids Next
Gen Space:
City United Church is a church focused on the Next Generation as they are the future of our church. We desire to lead children in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, and this requires us to create “spaces for faces” within our City Kids areas. We would like to transform these areas into environments that families with young children love to attend. We want our kids to have a “wow” experience as they learn just how BIG Jesus is! A growing church has growing young families, and we are committed to helping these families disciple their children.
We raised $8,647.51 to enhance our City Kids areas.
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 2022. This offering is to position our church to make a greater impact in 2022.
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 $50,000, 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 – benevolence outreach, evangelistic outreach, missions and global outreach, enhancing our City Kids Next Gen spaces, and upgrading our campus safety and security. 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 a packet in the mail, or after you visit this page. However, please pray about making your best gift the weekend of December 2nd – 5th. You can continue to give until January 31st, 2022 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 NEXT offering envelopes or include a note indicating that your gift is for the NEXT special Annual Offering. When using text-to-give, use the keyword “next.”
Please use the NEXT offering envelopes or include a note indicating that your gift is for the NEXT special Annual Offering. When using text-to-give, use the keyword “next.”
Can I Give Online via debit/credit card?
Yes. When you give at www.cityunited.church via online giving, simply select “NEXT” 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 “NEXT 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.
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 2021 will be deductible on your 2021 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 $50,000 Goal?
The $50,000 goal was prayerfully set by City United Church staff and current financial projections. It is approximately five 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 NEXT mailings. Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what we can do together as we stretch our faith under God’s leadership.
If you have any additional questions, please call 978-582-4901 to
speak with Pastor Gary or e-mail office@cityunited.church
speak with Pastor Gary or e-mail office@cityunited.church