In the introduction of his December 16/17 sermon, “The Word Was Received,” Pastor Jason highlighted God’s generosity and our “reflected” generosity, sharing that 2 Corinthians 8:9 is the foundation “for the call for gospel generosity. It all flows from that. Because God has given to us so generously, we give generously in return as a reflection of who he his, because he’s our Father—not to earn any favor, but as a reflection.”

2017 ‘Fill These Cities: 25 x ’25’ Highlights

As we celebrate God’s generosity in 2017, be encouraged by his grace to us in our “Fill These Cities: 25 x ’25” initiative ...

• Strengthened core with several new pastors, new congregational deacons, amended constitution and bylaws, and certifications by ECFA and BCWI
• South Campus groundbreaking in September, with property cleared and construction begun
• Two new church plants launched in Boise, Idaho, and Rochester, Minnesota
• More than 30 individuals praying about going to unengaged people groups with the gospel

The generosity of Christ’s coming shines at Christmas. May God stir our hearts this week with thankfulness and praise: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

And when we gather for our final 2017 worship services this upcoming weekend, please join me in praying for a strong financial finish and consider investing in Bethlehem with a special year-end gift to help advance our 25-month “Fill These Cities” initiative and accelerate build-out of our 24/7 South Campus facility in 2018.

2017 Giving Details

• Contributions by check or cash must be brought to the church or postmarked by December 31.
• Online contributions must be transacted before 11:45pm (CST) on Sunday, December 31. Note that our payment processor limits individual transactions to $50K, although multiple (separate) transactions can be made in order to work around this limit.
• View a record of your 2017 contributions, or donate via the giving portal at bethlehem.church.onlinegiving.org.
• For anyone not yet subscribing to Bethlehem’s Weekly e-newsletter, our 2017 One Fund giving through December 24, 2017, is summarized below to help inform your prayers ...

• 2017 YTD Contributions: $10,287,184
• 2016 YTD Contributions: $10,409,395 (Note: 2016 One Fund giving totalled $11.525M)
• 2017 Year-End Budget Goal: $10,700,000

If you have questions about contribution options, contact our Financial Secretary Steve Walmsley (612-338-7653 x463).