Watch this quick message from our lead pastor.
As we enter our third year of our church’s 5-year vision, we want to ACTIVATE our faith and put into action initiatives that will help us stay outreach-focused and intentional on reaching people for a more significant Gospel impact in our community, New England, and around the world. For more information on our 5-year vision, visit www.cityunited.church/future.
Over this next year, we will be focused on leveraging opportunities to make a significant Kingdom impact as we work to ACTIVATE our 5-year vision. We will focus on Missions and Outreach, Leadership Development, Next Gen Ministries, and Church Planting and Revitalization.
The Focus Areas of This Offering
MISSIONS AND 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 reach the nations and people right here in our community through ethnic ministries, disaster relief, short-term missions trips, and community outreach projects. God has blessed City United Church with a pastor who is committed to reaching the Spanish community around our church. Now it is time to equip the people for the work and resource these ministries.
We need to raise $10,000 for missions and outreach.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT:
Developing a strong leadership development internship and residency program will help support City United’s vision to transform New England for the Gospel. We desire to be a training center for church planting and church revitalization in our region. In 2023, we were able to bring on 3 student interns from Liberty University to train and prepare them for local church ministry. As we move into 2024, we desire to expand our internship and residency programs.
We need to raise a total of $10,000 for leadership development.
NEXT GEN MINISTRIES:
City United is a church that prioritizes the next generation. We desire to come alongside families living with disability so that families can grow in Christ and in relationship with others. It is estimated that 16% of the world’s population lives with a disability—and it is one of the largest, under-reached people groups in the world for the Gospel (Tim Tebow Foundation). As we come alongside families and children living with disabilities, we need to create spaces on our campus that support their needs and make them feel included, celebrated, and valued.
We need to raise $10,000 to begin to create spaces for children living with disabilities to enjoy and thrive in.
CHURCH PLANTING AND REVITALIZATION:
God wants to work through us to reach the people of New England by making disciples and planting new and revitalized churches. We are committed to supporting churches in New England. We are excited to be the sending church for The Gathering Place Church in Framingham. We are committed to supporting Pastor Sam and Emilee Swhankee as they continue to grow that ministry. We are also committed to supporting Vessel Skatepark and City Light Church as they continue to work in Worcester. As these and other ministries grow, we need to support them so that they can do the work to expand the Gospel.
We need to raise $20,000 for church planting and revitalization.
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 $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 – expanding our reach locally and globally through missions and outreach, equipping leaders and churches through leadership development, creating spaces for our Next Gen families living with disabilities, and encouraging the expansion of the gospel through church planting and revitalization. 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, November 28 and Sunday, December 3. You can continue to give until January 31st, 2024 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 ACTIVATE offering envelopes or include a note indicating that your gift is for the ACTIVATE special Annual Offering. When using text-to-give, use the keyword “activate.”
Please use the ACTIVATE offering envelopes or include a note indicating that your gift is for the ACTIVATE special Annual Offering. When using text-to-give, use the keyword “activate.”
Can I Give Online via debit/credit card?
Yes. When you give at www.cityunited.church via online giving, simply select “ACTIVATE” 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 “ACTIVATE 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 2022 will be deductible on your 2022 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 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 ACTIVATE 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