Good News!

First, let’s start with some financial good news. The blessings of the Lord have allowed us to do some things we have not been able to do before. First, we are in the process of replacing our old boiler system and cooling tower. Most of us didn’t know we are on such heat and a/c systems. I will say this; we have gotten our money out of them. They have been running since Noah brought them over on the ark. Our members and local Heating and Air companies have patched, matched, rigged, replaced, prayed and repaired them as much as they could. Terrace Heating and Air only had one man who ever worked on boilers and he has retired and gone to the islands to live. I seriously think they have been working for over 40 years. Now that is good stewardship!


Second: Because tithes and offerings have been up, we are able to ask our ministry team leaders to submit budget request for the 2014 Missions and Ministry Budget. The down economy over the past years has been reflected in our down offerings. That makes sense. In those years, there was really no need to ask ministries to submit a budget, we had to hold the line and trim where we could. Any ministry and mission that needed extra funding could put in a request. As far as I can remember, we have never had to deny any request for ministry or missions. Praise the Lord. Just a reminder of how a budget works. For example, a ministry may have a budget of $2,000 for their year. In reality, that $2,000 is not just sitting in a bank waiting for that ministry to spend. It comes in over the 52 weeks of the year. Generally speaking, many of our budgets don’t need their funds on January 1…or we could never meet the request. Spread out over the year, usually, we have no problem. Again, generally speaking, we do not spend money and then make the budget request; we make the budget request, make sure the monies are available, and then spend the money. Our team leaders have been very good about this process over the years. By the way, increased offerings usually allow for increase giving to missions and ministries, paying our debt down and doing needed, but unscheduled, repairs. Hallelujah.

Third: A personal note. On behalf of our entire family, thank you again for the wonderful prayer support for Try, Erin and Wyatt. Erin is home now and goes back and forth to MUSC daily, sometimes, multiple times, to be with Wyatt. We do not know when Wyatt will get to come home. His due date was January 6, so we hope before then. I think Erin is hoping for Thanksgiving…how wonderfully appropriate. He is doing as well as expected. I think most of his issues are just because he is a preemie. Hopefully as he grows, the issues just go away. Again, we are humbled and grateful for your prayers and support.


Pastor Tom