Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Lent, when we celebrate and honor the sacrifices that our savior, Jesus Christ, made for us, begins on February 14 this year. We thank you and your family for all the love and support you continue to bestow on our congregation. Over the years, our church facilities were constructed in four phases. The first three were financed by fund-raising and short-term mortgages. However, the Wesley Wing, which accommodates the educational and social requirements of our members and our Early Education Center, was financed by a
long-term mortgage of $2,348,000. With your prayers and financial support, this mortgage has been reduced to about $1,302,000. Part of this reduction is the $22,000 you donated as part of the 2017 Lenten Financial Fast. Scripture tells us in Romans 13:8, “Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” One such love is that which we show to the children of St. Matthew’s. Working closely with them in Youth Fellowship and other activities gives us hope that our church’s future is bright. Our children are well-behaved, they know the Lord, and practice what they learn from the scriptures in their daily lives. Why bring up the kids you ask? Well, with the rising costs of education and other obstacles they may face in their adult years, we can show them our love by ensuring that the burden of a mortgage is not passed on to them. We pray that God opens the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty to send blessings on you and your house, and you in turn will continue to bless his work here on Earth. Everyone is encouraged to prayerfully participate in this year’s 40-Day Lenten Financial Fast — spend the next 40 days fasting and praying, believing that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer to God. Set a daily financial fasting goal for yourself, for example $5. For these 40 days, consider giving up a small item, whether a cup of coffee at Starbucks, a movie, or perhaps that foot-long meat monster at Subway. Consider packing a lunch instead of stopping for fast food. The value of whatever you choose to forgo could then count toward your fasting goal. Bring your 40-Day Lenten Fast gifts on Easter Sunday and place them in the special offering plate during Communion. Every single dollar donated will be included with the May 2018 mortgage payment. Some of you may be moved to make even larger contributions toward the mortgage. Please feel free to do so. Every contribution is welcome. Thank you, and may God richly bless you.
The Finance Committee