St. Luke's United Methodist Church: Building the Kingdom by Building Disciples

Strengthening God's Kingdom One Heart at a Time	Take Plunge		FAQ		Pray

BodyBuilding

	Take the Plunge Giving FAQ Newsletters Leadership

St. Luke's Homepage

Take The Plunge Photo Album

"Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways."

Psalm 119:36-37

Pledged: $6,750,381
Pledges: 801
Received:$4,761,555.88 as of June 30, 2008

BodyBuilding Update - 6/3/2008

Can you believe that it has been almost three years since our church-wide gathering at SeaWorld celebrating the beginning of our BodyBuilding Campaign? Wonderful things have happened for St. Luke's and others because you shared in our vision and commitment! Here's what has happened since then:

St. Luke's is now debt free.
Our mission endowment fund is ready to make its first disbursements to organizations needing help with capital projects.
We have renovated our Children's Ministry area with exciting new Biblical themes.
HopeSpring, our new congregation, is worshiping weekly at Bridgewater Middle School and we have an opportunity to take the next step for its future.

God has continued to use our gifts to build the Kingdom one heart at a time.

As we approach the end of our three-year pledge period in December 2008, we are also presented with an opportunity to purchase land for our HopeSpring location. We have made provisions in our operating budget for continuing ministry at a temporary site, but the property purchase would allow us to make long range decisions for the future. Your Church Council leaders and the members of the Board of Trustees are seeking to make an informed decision about the funding needed for this purchase. To help them make that decision, I am asking you to share confidentially with us your ability and desire to fulfill the pledge commitment you made in 2005 or at some other time during the past three years. Many circumstances have changed in all of our lives and in the economy since you made your pledge, and at this critical decision point for the future we must be realistic about our ability to move forward.

If you have completed your pledge, or have given as much as you have been able, please know of my sincere gratitude for your visionary generosity. It will help us immensely to have your reponse to the future. Please let us know your plans by completing the form below. With this information your Church Council and Board of Trustees will have what they need to respond faithfully to this land opportunity.

First & Last Name:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Select one of the following:
Yes, I plan to fulfill my pledge by December 31, 2008
Yes, I plan to fulfill my pledge, but will need to extend the timing of my gift beyond December 2008, until approximately: (date)
I plan to finish my pledge or have already done so and can make a further commitment in the amount of $
My situation has changed and I will not be able to fulfill my pledge; however, I will keep the campaign, St. Luke's and this land purchase opportunity in my prayers for God's clear direction to the St. Luke's leadership.

Whatever you have already done and will continue to do through the BodyBuilding Campaign, by both your gifts and your prayers, has enriched our witness for Jesus Christ. Many wonderful things have already come to reality, and we continue to look for clear direction from God on how we are called to proceed with the challenging opportunities we are given.

With faith, hope and love,

Bill Barnes
Lead Pastor

P.S. Please ask us about the many options we have for charitable giving that take advantage of our tax laws, including, but not limited to, the transfer of stock and other assets, charitable trusts and annuities.

Previous BB Updates