Our 2020-2021
Annual Offering

$26,154.52 - total received

The Purpose of This Offering

Evangelistic Outreach:

We are continuously looking for ways to enhance our outreach here at City United Church.  Your gifts to the LET’S GO! Offering assisted us in providing an amazing Easter weekend both online and on campus in 2021.  Easter is the biggest evangelistic opportunity we have.  Your giving to LET’S GO! helped us with outreach, publishing of resources, podcasts, and broadcasting in our community and region.  We want to be the voice for the Gospel in New England. We are also committed to supporting churches in New England through the Baptist Convention of New England (BCNE). 

We have raised a total of $7,509.03 for evangelistic outreach, with $2,509.03 going to Easter 2021 and $5,000 going to BCNE to aid churches and pastors in our region

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 are committed to our adopted village in Guatemala (Chastutu) that has recently experienced a devastating flood.  We have raised and sent out $5,000 to Guatemala through World Help.  Erwin and Amy Santoso are our missionaries to New Zealand.  They are a portable church plant in need of equipment and resources as they make disciples in New Zealand.  We raised and sent $5,000 to them to help them be On Mission in their community.  

We have successfully raised and sent $10,000 for missions and global outreach.

Church Snow-Removal Vehicle:

Having our own City United Church plow truck helps us save thousands of dollars during the winter months plowing and sanding.  However, the current truck is getting old and will need to be replaced soon.  The money raised for a “new to us” church plow truck will put us in a better position to be ready to make this purchase. We were able to raise $10,000 last year through the Imagine Offering.  This year we were able to raise $8,645.49 toward a new plow vehicle and purchased a loader to that end!

We raised $8,645.49 for a church snow removal vehicle.

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 2021.  This offering is to position our church to make a greater impact in 2021.

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 in spite of setbacks and surprises.  The ministries supported by this offering are BIG – benevolence outreach, evangelistic outreach, missions and global outreach, enhancing and updating our digital church technology, and replacing our aging plow truck. Big dreams require big faith and big funding.  The accomplishment of these big dreams will be determined by your 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.  Please pray about making your best gift on that day.  However, you can continue to give until Easter Sunday 2021 if you desire to break your gifts up over the course of the offering. Please use the LET’S GO! offering envelopes or include a note indicating that your gift is for the LET’S GO! special Annual Offering.  When using text-to-give, use the keyword “letsgo.”

Can I Give Online via debit/credit card?

Yes.  When you give at www.cityunited.church via online giving, simply select “LET’S GO!” 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 “LET’S GO!” special Annual 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 pastor@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 2020 will be deductible on your 2020 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 the City United Church program, during various worship gatherings, and through LET'S GO! 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 pastor@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!