Friday, November 21, 2008
Christ Community Church, Syracuse, New York

 Upcoming Missions Events:

Upcoming District Missions Trips
 
Hearing a whisper or feeling a nudge from God
about putting some feet to your faith?
The mini-W&W ministry trip to the Spanish Nazarene Church
in Stamford, CT is a great opportunity to respond.
* Columbus Day Holiday weekend, 10/10-13/2008
* Church interior painting & kitchen installation
* Helping with a Jesus Film ministry
* $250/person (travel, food, accommodations, materials)
Plenty of opportunity to register.  Deadline changed from 09/10 to 10/02/2008.
Contact Larry Warner, W&W Coordinator, Upstate NY District
(phone: 607-687-4167 or email: WARNERLNC@AOL.COM)

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Thailand - February 2009 - in the planning stages 
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Contact Barry Cook for more details on upcoming Missions Trips.

Monthly Pot-Luck Missions Lunches

All are invited to come join us at our monthly missions lunches.

 We begin immediately after the second service with our pot luck meal, then spend 15-20 minutes learning more about Nazarene Missions, what impact our missionaries are having for Christ around the world and how you can be involved.

Please bring a dish or two to pass (casserole, salad, side dish and/or dessert) and your own plates, cups and tableware.  If you wish to bring something in a crock pot, you can bring it to the kitchen and plug it in on the counter.

We welcome volunteers to help set up and clean up - many hands really do make light work.  If you have any questions, please contact Barry Cook, our missions president.

The monthly lunches will usually take place on the third Sunday of each month following the second service, but keep an eye on the calendar in case of changes.

Faith Promise Weekend
was held May 3 and 4, 2008 with Missionary Steve Heap of Brazil . We are pleased to report that we exceed our goal for this year!  Thanks everyone for giving to Missions!
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What is Faith Promise? 

The Church of the Nazarene acknowledges that Faith Promise giving is a biblical method used by many local churches for raising financial support for world evangelization. For our denomination, it is dedicated specifically to the mission support of the Church of the Nazarene through various offerings promoted by Nazarene Missions International (NMI).

Faith Promise is not to be confused with:

  • A pledge—no one will remind individuals of the exact amount they owe on their Faith Promise giving
  • The tithe—a Faith Promise is a love gift to God, to be given beyond the tithe
  • A substitute for mission offerings—In addition to Faith Promise, opportunity should be given for people to give to missions. Such offerings allow those not participating in Faith Promise an opportunity to give to missions; and, for those who are, it provides additional opportunities for giving as the Holy Spirit leads.
  • A cure-all for a church's financial problems

What does my giving to faith promise do?

The main priority is reaching the world for Christ through the payment of the World Evangelism Fund.

Many offering opportunities exist for you to give toward missions, Alabaster, World Mission Broadcast, Nazarene Compassionate Minsitries, deputation, and so forth. However, Faith Promise is not intended to replace missions offerings.

Where did Faith Promise originate?

Although a number of people have come up with similar giving plans, the Faith Promise plan, as we know it, was developed in the late 1800's by Dr. A. B. Simpson, founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Feeling a burden for the lost of the world, Simpson was influenced by the writings of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 8-9.

Is Faith Promise Biblical?

Yes.  The basis for Faith Promise is found in the Bible. 
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“For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will” (2 Corinthians 8:3-5).
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Scriptures on the Great Commission
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• “He [Jesus] said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation’” (Mark 16:15).
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• “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
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• “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples” (Psalm 96:3).
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• “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations” (Mark 13:10).
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• “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
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• “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
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Scriptures on Faith
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• “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).
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• “Everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).
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• “The righteous will live by faith” (Romans 1:17).
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• “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22).
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Scriptures on Stewardship
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• “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18).
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• “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48).
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• “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” ( 2 Corinthians 9:7, NRSV).
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• “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6).