Appeal for 13th Mortgage Payment

Bulletin Cover for April 21, 2013

Dear Friends,

In 2012, our church made a commitment to pay off our mortgage by 2022. In order to accomplish this, we set two goals: pay an additional $2,000/month on the principle of the loan and make a “13^thpayment” of $8,723 each year.

By God’s grace, we paid an additional $16,000 on our monthly loan payments in 2012. And we celebrated a 13^th payment on the principle of over $11,000. The congregation’s response to the goal of mortgage retirement was overwhelming. By years end, for the first time in many years, our total debt was under $1 million ($963,750).

By taking these deliberate steps to significantly lower our debt, we free funds for future ministry and outreach to our community and the world.

During the months of May and June, we will be inviting you, the congregation, to make a special gift toward the 13^th payment. All money given in this special offering will go directly to paying down the principle on our loan.

All gifts given to this special project benefit our ministry today and are a gift to future generations. When reduced interest costs are calculated in, every $100 given for debt retirement is like giving approximately $128.

Participating in making the 13^th payment is saying “yes” to the future ministry of First United Methodist Church. I invite you to join me in this act of hope. You are invited to mark your gifts, “Mortgage”.

Blessings,

Pastor Sherry