Earlier this year we provided updates regarding the financials at CGCC. We do so again in this e-news article in a spirit of good stewardship as we recognize our responsibility to communicate how your gifts to God are being distributed, as well as our “need.” The embedded graphic shows how we have distributed tithes and offerings this year across the various ministry areas. We continue to believe your gifts to God through Common Ground are best devoted to these areas.

 

As of November 30, tithes and offerings are below budgeted 2009 expenses by ~5% ($57,000). Because of this, we want to again take this opportunity to encourage you toward a pattern of faithful giving. Due to generous giving in prior years and under-budget spending this year, we have recently been able to give over $45,000 in unbudgeted funds towards several missional opportunities. Each person or organization that has received these funds has been featured in an e-news article since late August. As giving responds, we will continue to be in a position to give generously to the areas of most need, either within our church family or around the world. We invite you into this journey with us as we aim to join with God in the restoration of the world through sacrificial love.

 

If you would like to make a year-end contribution, please be aware that any tithes or offerings you would like included on your 2009 giving statement must be postmarked by December 31. Consistent with strict IRS laws & regulations, contributions postmarked after December 31 will be considered a 2010 donation. If you've moved this year, don't forget to update your address with the church office as contribution letters will be mailed to each contributor after the new year. For more information about this update or the 2009 budget, please contact Nate.

Common Ground will hold Christmas Eve services at our Midtown location (4550 N. Illinois Street) at 5:30 pm and 7 pm on Thursday, December 24. While children’s ministry will not be provided, children of all ages are encouraged to participate in this shortened service.

 

We will not hold a 7 pm service on Sunday, December 27. We hope you will plan to join us for one of our morning services that day.

In November, Common Ground partnered with The Rhema Project to provide a much-needed water purification system to an orphanage in southern India. Water testing results revealed that there were a number of problems with the water, including unsafe levels of a contaminant known to cause cancer.

 

Though we have little exposure to the problem, water and sanitation issues plague the world. Below is a photo of the orphanage's old water source. While the picture may shock you, there are also many staggering statistics to share. Consider these 3:

 

 

The Rhema Project gave Common Ground a tangible opportunity to make an impact. Below is a picture of the new water system provided by God's resources. Thanks to this project hundreds of children in southern India are drinking better water today!

The church office will close for the Christmas holiday at the end of the day on Wednesday, December 23 and will reopen on Monday, January 4. While we will hold our Christmas Eve services at 5:30 pm and 7 pm at our Midtown location on Thursday, December 24, the church office will not be open that day.

 

What does that mean for you? Volunteers scheduled to serve during that period, such as teachers, should plan ahead to ensure they have the materials they may need while the office is closed. House churches scheduled to clean should contact the office prior to the end of day on Wednesday, December 23 for their alarm codes and combination to the lock box if they do not already have that information.

 

Have questions about building access during the holidays? Please contact the church office.

Advent

How will we prepare ourselves for Christmas so that we don't miss Jesus? Click here for our Advent Resources.

 

Empower the poor and oppressed by purchasing products from the ServLife Store after all services at Midtown and CGCC-West on December 6 and 13. Products include bags, jewelry, purses, scarves, wallets, paper products, hats, backpacks, soap, candles and more. To learn more about ServLife, visit their website.

 

 

It’s Time to Redistribute!

The deadline to make a contribution to our Redistribute partners is December 27. Redistribution booklets and envelopes are available in the Information Center at Midtown and at the Information Table at CGCC-West. Click here to download the brochure.

 

 

To learn more, please see the article above.