Are You Willing to “Take One Step Up”?

P rayerfully consider where you are on the chart below and commit to "take one step up" for 2018.

DPC has had many very generous members retire or enter their eternal home. Our younger members and families must "step up" to higher levels of commitment to maintain and grow our mission. As we seek to fulfill our mission together and set the priorities for our resources, we trust that God has already provided the resources needed to give generously to the work of the church.

First: Become an intentional per-centage giver. Commit a percentage instead of a flat amount, and do so with a glad and prayerful heart. Second: Take “one step up” this year for the sake of the mission of DPC.

Please bring, mail or email your Commitment Card to the church (abeesley@dpchurch.org) anytime between October 15 and November 12, 2017. You may also complete a giving commitment online by replying to our emails or by visiting our website at www.dpchurch.org.

II Corinthians 9:7

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DPC’s Annual Commitment Levels

Reference Chart for Potential Giving Levels

Prayerfully Consider Taking One Step Up

STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL

Vic Verdi, Chair

Tom Adams Sioux Campbell LeAnn Hallford

Bo King Charlie Orth

Bill Turnipseed Tricia Wynegar

Rev. Dr. Todd Speed, Staff

DPC has been an integral part of the Decatur, Georgia, community since 1825. We look forward

in faith to our Bicentennial in 2025, serving our community and the world, and affirming our goal:

Dear Members and Friends of Decatur Presbyterian Church,

WIDE OPEN DOORS—These words stand both as comfort and as challenge to the church of the 21st century. The world is changing. Habits are being altered. Culture is shifting. Decatur Presbyterian Church, in the midst of transition, steadfastly serves, day by day, and week after week, through life-transforming ministries. Our worship, faith formation, fellowship, and service meet real human needs, and we are learning to adapt in ways appropriate and helpful to the people of our com-

munity.

In these interesting and challeng-ing times, DPC needs generous sup-port. We need your faithful support in order to keep the traffic flowing both in and out of our doors. As a congrega-tion, we realize more than ever that the world needs our life-sustaining fellow-ship and witness. What we offer in and through the Church matters. What we do every week is important to the life

and health of our community, and even the world. Your generous tithes and offerings open doors to enable the mis-sions and ministries to which we have

been called.

Your gifts also affect you. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21).The doors of our hearts are more open to God when we utilize the resources entrusted to us not only for personal or family good, but also for the common good — for

God’s work of worship, mission, and nurturing the generations in faith. Earli-er generations knew the wisdom and positive outcomes of “giving 10%, sav-ing 10%, and living off of the rest.” Current generations are learning what can happen spiritually, financially, and otherwise when this discipline is ig-nored. As I have said before, human beings have a spiritual need to give. Giving generously opens our hearts, orients our lives, and provides healthy

direction for our families.

Thank you for your gifts of time, talent, and yes, significant financial resources to God’s work in and through Decatur Presbyterian Church. The doors of grace have been opened to you; please continue to keep the doors

wide open for others.

Grace and peace to you,

Rev. Dr. Todd Speed

$11,000 provides for the program

costs of our Children’s Ministries for

an entire year

$10,500 pays the gas bill to keep

the church facilities warm for the entire

year

$5,500 provide for the general maintenance of

our facilities for 3 months

$5,000 annually supports

the life-changing work of a

global missionary family

$3,000 covers the annual needs of Pastors’ Aides, Pray-

er Quilts, Caring Kitchen, Funeral Receptions, and College

Connections combined

$2,500 provides for annual

tuning needs of the organ and

several pianos

$1,500 pays one week of

the church's

electrical bill

$1,000 provide critical scholarships

for youth retreats and conferences

DID YOU KNOW? The costs of our ministries and operations.

D PC members and staff are very excited about our newly renovated facilities. This tremendous capital project will enhance

our ministries by removing many barriers to full participation for the members and friends of DPC.

We are going to be amazed at how the renovated facilities welcome our friends and neighbors, enable us to offer excellent ministries within our buildings, and encourage us to walk out of our doors to engage the wider community. DPC is ever-so-

grateful for all those gifts, over and above operating gifts, that are making this capital project possible.

A Look at 2018

Uses and Sources of DPC’s 2017 $1.24 Million Operating Budget

Traditional, creative, intergenerational worship with humble, open-minded

theology

More than 800 active members, governed by elected elders and served

by talented staff

Close to 130 children (birth to 5th grade) involved during the year in faith-

nurturing ministries and music

More than 50 active youth (6th-13th)grade) with regular mission trips, re-

treats and conferences

Extraordinary Chancel Choir (adults) and beloved music program for chil-

dren, plus adult handbell choir

Stimulating adult education classes, small groups, and fellowship activities

for support and learning

Excellent weekly preschool ministry DPCC (Decatur Presbyterian Children’s

Community)

Significant mission partners across the globe and in our local community, including Global Village Project

(refugee girls’ school) hosted here

On site Threshold Ministry which connects those in need with helpful

resources.

WORSHIP

MEMBERSHIP

CHILDREN

YOUTH

MUSIC

ADULTS

PRESCHOOL

MISSION

THRESHOLD

Other activities and programs include a Retreat Center ministry, drama program, summer music camps, support for caregivers,

Presbyterian Women circles, Habitat for Humanity builds, Senior Adult Ministry speakers and outings, Pastors’ Aides, prayer quilts and flower

guild, memorial receptions, Break Bread groups, UKirk Campus Ministry, College Connections and much more.