Sugar River United Methodist Church, VERONA WI

November 2, 2009

Dear Sugar River Family,

Last Sunday our congregation received the Six Key Financial Principles cling for your window or mirror. If you did not receive one in worship that day, please come by the office, we have one for you. Please read these principles and scriptures as a family. By practicing these biblical principles, all of us can find greater simplicity, contentment, generosity, and joy for our lives.

On Sunday, November 8, the sermon will be "Cultivating Contentment." We live in a society full of economic problems that result from materialism. This message will offer practical and biblical help for the financial issues that challenge and stress so many of us. In Matthew 6:19-20, 24 we read these words, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. . . . store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. . . You cannot serve both God and Money" (NIV). You will hear a message on how to de-clutter your life, work toward developing contentment and learn God's will for our lives in the area of finances.

On Sunday, November 15, we will have the final message in this sermon series: "Defined by Generosity." We will be distributing commitment cards for you to record your personal commitment for the coming year. The following Sunday, November 22, will be our Consecration Sunday. In worship we will bring our commitment cards forward and consecrate our personal commitment. For those out of town on Consecration Sunday, we would appreciate having the cards sent to the church or dropped off by the next Sunday, November 29.

This year sixty-four households returned a commitment card as a witness of giving to God and as a way to plan their giving for our ministry. We hope and pray to increase the number of households that will take a step out in faith and return a commitment card for God's ministry and mission at Sugar River in 2010.

Join us in worship as we celebrate and consecrate our gifts to the ministry of our church in the coming year. We can live as people of hope, learning how to live with simplicity, contentment, generosity, and true joy! In Christ,

Pastor Gary Holmes

	November 2, 2009 Dear Sugar River Family, Last Sunday our congregation received the Six Key Financial Principles cling for your window or mirror. If you did not receive one in worship that day, please come by the office, we have one for you. Please read these principles and scriptures as a family. By practicing these biblical principles, all of us can find greater simplicity, contentment, generosity, and joy for our lives. On Sunday, November 8, the sermon will be "Cultivating Contentment." We live in a society full of economic problems that result from materialism. This message will offer practical and biblical help for the financial issues that challenge and stress so many of us. In Matthew 6:19-20, 24 we read these words, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. . . . store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. . . You cannot serve both God and Money" (NIV). You will hear a message on how to de-clutter your life, work toward developing contentment and learn God's will for our lives in the area of finances. On Sunday, November 15, we will have the final message in this sermon series: "Defined by Generosity." We will be distributing commitment cards for you to record your personal commitment for the coming year. The following Sunday, November 22, will be our Consecration Sunday. In worship we will bring our commitment cards forward and consecrate our personal commitment. For those out of town on Consecration Sunday, we would appreciate having the cards sent to the church or dropped off by the next Sunday, November 29. This year sixty-four households returned a commitment card as a witness of giving to God and as a way to plan their giving for our ministry. We hope and pray to increase the number of households that will take a step out in faith and return a commitment card for God's ministry and mission at Sugar River in 2010. Join us in worship as we celebrate and consecrate our gifts to the ministry of our church in the coming year. We can live as people of hope, learning how to live with simplicity, contentment, generosity, and true joy! In Christ, Pastor Gary Holmes

Pastor Gary has provided a couple of personal financial worksheets that he hopes will help us with our financial planning. For more thought provoking help, please also refer to this week's "Growth Guide"
Life Financial Goals Form (.pdf) Life Financial Goals Form (.doc - MS Word Document)	Budget Worksheet Form (.pdf ) Budget Worksheet Form (.doc - MS Word Document )
Personal Goals Worksheet(.pdf ) Personal Goals Worksheet (.doc - MS Word Document )