april 2014 – a publication of waukee community...
TRANSCRIPT
A GENEROUS GOD AND A GENEROUS PEOPLE
One morning, several weeks ago, I walked into my office and found a letter on
my desk. As I plopped down in my chair, I gently opened the envelope. What I
found inside brought a great big smile to my face. This 5-‐page letter, written by
a woman at WCC, traced the threads of God’s faithfulness through her life. With
boundless joy, she spoke of how God had used the people of WCC to minister to
her soul. And at the very end she asked, “Did the Lord lead me to this place so I
would be involved in a church I love with so many kind people?” As I read this
rhetorical question I wanted to shout, “YES, HE DID!”
Through the people of WCC, God is truly bringing people together to LIVE like
Jesus, LOVE like Jesus and GIVE like Jesus. Alberta’s story is one of many.
Through Alpha, Faith In Action Sunday, Summer Kids Club, Middle School
Ministry, Young Life, and more, people are encountering the good news of the
message of Christ. Together, we are working for God’s kingdom. These are
exciting times!
One of the reasons for these kinds of stories is because of the generosity of
God’s people. In response to the vision budget that was presented in February,
which included a planned transfer of over $16,000 to the Vision Fund, God’s
people have responded with generous hands and joyful hearts. For the first time
in months, our giving has exceeded our expenses. While we didn’t meet our big
monthly goal, we were able to transfer just over $4,000 to the Vision Fund that
will help us accomplish various phases of the Next Steps plan. Our financial
team has told me that more and more people are giving regularly,
proportionally, joyfully and sacrificially.
There is still so much work to do. To accomplish our Next Steps plan, we have to continue to grow in generosity. God is good! Thank you for being part of what He is doing! -‐ PDave
GOD IS BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO LIVE, LOVE AND GIVE LIKE JESUS!
“Did the Lord lead me to this place so I would be involved in a church I love with so many
kind people?” – Alberta
Faith in Action Sunday coming May 4th – your chance to practice generosity,…. Bring a friend….or two and blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
A smile just crossed my face as I
listened to Karna talk on the
phone with someone who
recently received a Faith in
Action sticky note on his door.
On May 4 we will have an
opportunity to step into the
lives of those in our community
by serving them … another
smile just crossed my face as I
thought of the generosity this
body shows by serving those in
the community of Waukee.
Looking forward to serving
along side you on Faith in
Action Sunday! See you at 9:30
am on May 4! -‐ PJeff
April 2014 – A Publication of Waukee Community Church
March Expense $27,337 March Giving $31,741 __________________________
Operating Fund Balance $62,693
Vision Fund Balance $136,119
DON’T ALLOW YOUR GIVING TO BE TAXING By Dr. Bob Stouffer Each month Generosity Matters brings you an article centering around
the topic of generosity. Since this is tax season, this month we present an
article focusing on generosity and taxes.
Appropriately, I am writing this article on April 15, 2014 -‐-‐ tax
day. Unless we have legitimate reason to file an extension, our
2013 taxes were due on this date. So, why is it appropriate that I am writing this article on tax
day, and what does tax day have to do with Waukee Community Church?
First, there are a number of us, for one reason or another, who pay state and federal taxes at the
end of the calendar year. If you are in this category, remember that God instituted government,
even if we do not like all of the reasons for those taxes, and we should definitely be strong
witnesses for Christ by honoring the payment of the taxes. After all, Jesus told the Pharisees,
"...render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's..." (Matthew 22:21, ESV) Paul also wrote, "...pay
taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God...Pay to all what is owed to them..." (Romans 13:6,
7, ESV)
Second, if you are one who receives a tax refund, you have an interesting choice before you. Do
you always essentially give a big gift to yourself with your windfall? Do you count on this return
to pay your bills or to help yourself get out of debt? Do you claim ownership of this money? All
of these questions should force interesting convictions and answers. And the answers should be
centered on pleasing God with your spending. Remember, God owns everything, and "Every
good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights..." (James
1:17, ESV) As the stewards of God's gifts, we must return a portion of these treasures to him -‐-‐
for His ministry and to His glory!
If you have already received or anticipate receiving a tax refund, I encourage you to prayerfully
consider how you can joyfully, sacrificially, and proportionally give at least a portion of the
money to Waukee Community Church, as we continue to bring people together in Waukee to
live, love, and give like Jesus!
If you are interested in details about the tax implications of charitable giving to WCC and other charities, please check out "Gifts to Charity Pay Off on Your Taxes," by Kay Bell (http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/gifts-‐to-‐charity-‐pay-‐off-‐on-‐your-‐taxes-‐1.aspx) GIVING MATTERS? Some may wonder: Does giving really matter? Yes, it eternally matters. I love hearing stories of what God is doing through and
in the lives of the people in our midst. This would be impossible if it were not for the generosity of the people of WCC. As a
group, through the power of the Holy Spirit, God will do great things through us. Thank you for making generous, faithful,
consistent financial giving to Jesus’ church a priority.
Generosity Matters is a
publication of Waukee
Community Church.
Contact Us
Waukee Community Church
PO Box 189
Waukee, IA 50263
515-‐978-‐7732
www.50263.org
“REMEMBER, GOD OWNS
EVERYTHING …”
Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life
that is real.
1 Timothy 6:18-19