It's Your Move CrossPoint 2014

Acts 20:35

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

2014

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CrossPoint Church - It’s Your Move 2013 1

It’s Your Move!

This time last year CrossPoint conducted an experiment. Check that. This time last year CrossPoint took a risk, a huge risk. What was the risk? The risk was that we

decided to move. No, we did not change locations. Instead, we changed our thinking. In October of 2012, our family of faith made a structural change in our stewardship.

And, look at what a difference a year makes. You gave, and God provided. Needs were met, and God was glorified.

Some CrossPointers, who were giving nothing, started giving something. Those who were giving something began giving more. Those who were giving more decided to tithe. Those who were tithing determined to give above their tithe. Those who were giving above their tithe committed to give more sacrificially. And the results are stag-gering.

Way to go, CrossPoint. Kudos! You get it. You responded. You trusted God. You acted in faith.

So, what do we do now?The answer is simple: we do it again. The more elaborate answer is provided in the

following magazine. In the magazine you learn how the design of It’s Your Move is for CrossPoint to grow in our faithfulness by moving closer to the Lord.

It’s Your Move is not a stewardship campaign; it is a generosity initiative. It is not a program; it is a lifestyle. It is a way of thinking. It is a standard of living.

Instead of raising money, the Lord wants to use It’s Your Move to raise people. More than dollars and cents, It’s Your Move is about people and priorities. It is about God’s people making small changes so He can make a big difference.

Just like last year, we will ask and answer the tough questions. We will learn how the gospel applies to every area of our life. We will pray. We will ask the Lord to search us. We will respond and we will give. Most of all, we will glorify God.

Are you ready, CrossPoint? You moved last year. Are you ready to move this year? You adjusted last fall. Are you set to adjust this fall? You advanced in 2013. Are you willing to advance in 2014? You trusted the Lord then. Are you willing to trust Him even more now?

I believe you are ready. That is what makes you such a select group of people. Your hearts are always tender and always available. And Vonda and I want you to know we are ready. We are ready to evaluate the stewardship of our life, and make the move with you.

I love you, CrossPoint. I sincerely love you. And I thank the Lord He would allow me to serve such a choice church. Now, let’s move!

Sincerely in the grace of Christ,

CrossPoint Church - It’s Your Move 20132

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

It’s Your Move is not about money; it’s about people. It’s about people and priorities.

Do you want to know why God is using It’s Your Move to raise people and not money at CrossPoint? This is why.

My assistant, Kristin Coon, received an email from Nanny Gail Mathews today. Her husband Bo has been in and out of the hospital with pneumonia.

Nanny Gail serves as a 2k teacher in CrossPoint’s pre-school ministry. If you’ve ever had a two or three-year old in the last 25 years, you know Nanny Gail. She is one of the brightest shining lights in this select church.

With her husband in the hospital, we pulled in a substitute to serve in her place last Sunday. As a result, Nanny Gail was not able to bring her tithe to worship. So, in response to missing last Sunday, she sent my assistant this quick email:

Good morning, Kristin.Just wanted to let you know Bo is still in the hospital, Room 591 North Tower.I don’t know how long he is going to be there.If anyone visits him, I have taped my check for this past Sunday to his cabinet.

I wrote Cross Point on the “used envelope”.

Thank you.I love you all so much.Nanny Gail

And that is why CrossPoint is such a generous church.Thank you, CrossPoint for giving so faithfully to the three streams of

MINISTRY, MORTGAGE & MISSIONS that feed CrossPoint’s River of Stewardship.


Emma Claire has the biggest heart for missions at such a young age of 7. She has worked hard to raise money during VBS for the mission project each year, but a couple of weeks ago she came to me and told me of a great idea she had to make money for missionaries by having a lemonade stand. We gathered some scrap wood, built the stand and set up on Saturday. She invited a friend to help her and prayed the night before that God would send customers. He did!! She told the cus-tomers that she was raising money for missions and invited some to CrossPoint.

I sat back and watched her. After just 3 short hours, all the lemonade was gone and her friend and she had made $112.00!!! She split the money with her friend and when I asked her how she was going to divide her share she responded, “Momma, it is ALL for the missionaries!” She took the $56.00 that she had raised and gave it to Layne the very next day and asked that it go to missions.

—Jenny Kimbrough, Emma Claire’s mother


God plans or permits our circumstances. Through these circumstances we can learn and grow to be more like Him if we are open to what he is teaching/leading. I’ve encountered this several times. Recently when our house was broken into I was flooded with many emotions. I couldn’t understand why this had happened to us. We prayed together as a family, thanking God that he protected us from not being here when it happened. We also prayed for peace and protection as well as for the thieves who stole our belongings. I asked God, “What are we supposed to learn from this? Why did you allow this to happen?”

Several years ago, through another circumstance, God showed me that I was too concerned with being a blessing to others, but pushed away being blessed by others. I didn’t want to feel in need. I had a hard time being on the receiving end. God put us in a position where we were blessed by others in numerous ways. It was humbling. It wasn’t easy at all, but He changed me by allowing me to learn to accept the graciousness of others.

After our house was burglarized, we had many people praying for us. We defi-nitely felt them. Our Dwell Deep Sunday School class surprised us and blessed us with a sweet note and an envelope of cash they had collected to help replenish what we had lost. The love and generosity of these friends was amazing. God once again allowed us to be blessed by being on the receiving end. The neat part, I was truly accepting of their gift. I now look forward to a time when I can in turn be a blessing to someone else in their time of need.

—Karen and Jason Gudgen

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35


God is good all the time and all the time God is good. This is the only way I know to start.

After my wife was diagnosed with ALS, our class and church has shown how God is good.

The WORLDS GREATEST SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS (WGSSC) has proven how it got this name. One class member has cut our grass, planted flowers, and taken care of our yard. One class member has sent her housekeeper to clean inside our house every month. Other class members have baked cookies, candy, cakes, furnished food and meals. We have been supported by other class members sending cards almost every day. We get phone calls on a regular basis, along with personal visits. We have received financial help. One of the greatest things is the daily (constant) prayers from our class, but also from our church.

God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

Praise the Lord, Phil and Mary Mills


Generous people fully understand Jesus’ lesson that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). They know the blessings of giving far exceed the blessings of receiving. That is why they are so generous.

And what does a generous person look like?Generous people are special. They have a unique quality about them. Their generosity defines them. And, they are not

just generous with their money. Generosity permeates every aspect of their life.

The qualities of a generous person would include the following:

1. A GENEROUS PERSON recognizes that God owns everything and that they are only a manager of God’s assets.10 For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves

in the field is mine. 12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.” Psalm 50:10-12

2. A GENEROUS PERSON knows their treasure is in heaven; therefore they do not worry about material wealth.19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but

lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-24

3. A GENEROUS PERSON does not fret over worldly possessions, but places their priority on the kingdom of God.32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the

kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:32-34

4. A GENEROUS PERSON lives sacrificially so they can give generously.And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who

are contributing to the offering box.Mark 12:43

5. A GENEROUS PERSON does not love money and is therefore free to use money without being controlled by it.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Hebrews 13:5-6

Generous People


6. A GENEROUS PERSON does not trust in money, but puts their full trust in the Lord.17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but

on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

7. A GENEROUS PERSON searches for opportunities to do good for others.So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:1

8. A GENEROUS PERSON lives a life of bountiful harvest because they sow bountifully.The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

2 Corinthians 9:6

9. A GENEROUS PERSON anticipates how they can give and gives with great joy.Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

10. A GENEROUS PERSON does not love the world or the things of the world.15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all

that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:15-17

11. A GENEROUS PERSON gives as an expression of their love for God and for others.44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water

for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Luke 7:44-48

12. A GENEROUS PERSON knows they cannot outgive God, but they sure enjoy trying to do so.33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable

his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 11:33-36


Why I Don’t TitheI have been asked to give a personal testimony about stewardship. While pray-

ing about it, I decided to be ruthlessly honest with you. So, here it goes.

I am not a tither. I never have been, and I never will be. I do not tithe for multiple reasons.

First and foremost, my family cannot afford to tithe. With one child in college, another one in high school, and a third one in elementary school, I just cannot afford to give money to the kingdom of God. It takes a lot of money to raise kids these days. I just don’t see how my parents did it. Dance, baseball, piano lessons and all the school supplies consume much of our monthly income.

Another reason my family does not tithe is because we like to take two nice vaca-tions a year. We head to the beach in the summer, and we go to the mountains in the winter. Those trips cost a lot of money. If we did tithe, we would have to give up one or both of those trips. I just believe that would be wrong, since the Lord wants us to spend more time together as a family.

We do not tithe also because my wife and I were not raised in the church. Therefore, we do not know how to do it. We never had anyone set an example for us or teach us how to give. So, when our pastor preaches about tithing, we just tune him out. If someone had taught us sooner, we would probably give. But no one ever taught us how to give. Besides, do you tithe off your net income or the gross income?

Now don’t get me wrong. We love our church. We consider our pastor to be a very good friend. He ministers to us every time we need him. We love our staff as well. Our staff members are some of the best. They are the reasons why we joined the church.

The recreation facility, well, it is absolutely awesome. My kids are up there almost every night. My wife works out with some friends two mornings a week, and I enjoy the men’s summer basketball league. The idea to build that facility was one of the best ideas we have ever had as a church. That may be another reason why we joined the church.

When I really think about it, I am glad we are a member of the church. It is a special place full of special people. We have made a lot of good friends there. When we go to Bible Study everyone makes us feel so welcome. And the breakfast they serve each week is really nice.

We have a really good church. We have a loving pastor. We have an incredible staff. Look at our facilities. They are some of the best in town. Yes, we have a great church. And my wife and I would like to thank everyone for the great sacrifices they have made for us to enjoy them.

Yet due to many factors we do not tithe, and we never plan to do so.


Are you a Giver or a Taker?

CrossPoint is not a wealthy church. Our stewardship goals and objectives are not met by just a few wealthy givers. Our church is a sweet and generous church, and thanks to the many givers at CrossPoint, we are able to flourish in ministry.

But imagine what would happen if every CrossPointer trusted God with their giving. Imagine the individual blessings. Imagine what CrossPoint could do for the kingdom of God.

Believe it or not, that is God’s plan. And It’s Your Move is God’s plan for our future. It’s Your Move is our model to simplify our giving. It’s Your Move is the way we are asking every CrossPointer to contribute to the stewardship river that flows through our family. It’s Your Move is the way our family of faith will realize her future potential.

It’s Your Move is a decision we are asking every CrossPointer to make. Are you a giver or a taker?

Î 35% of CrossPoint families give zeroÎ 33% of CrossPoint families give less than $10 per week Î 78% of CrossPoint families give less than $10 per week to the Mortgage

Stream

Over the next several weeks we will be asking you to examine your giving to the three streams that feed our financial river – Ministry, Mortgage and Missions. Then, after careful prayer and consideration, we are asking you to make your move. We are asking you to do more.


Going From 0% to 10%!So, you’ve signed up to run your first marathon. The race is four months

away. You registered early to get a jump start on your training.Thankfully, the race you have selected is flat and fast. You have also read that

the race venue is an excellent course for novice runners.On average, it will take you four to five hours to run 26.2 miles. Yet you are

up to the challenge. Your neighbor ran a marathon last year, and if he can do it so can you.

There are three secrets to running your first marathon:1. You need to be supremely motivated2. You need to exert effort3. You need to have a smart training plan

The same secrets to running your first marathon are applicable for someone who wants to go from giving nothing to the kingdom of God to tithing. Going from 0% to 10% is a lot like training for a marathon.

How does someone go from giving 0% to 10% (or more) in their giving to the kingdom of God?

First, you need to be SUPREMELY MOTIVATED.The idea of “gutting out” a marathon is absurd. It takes more than determina-

tion and willpower to get your body ready to run a marathon. You have to dig deep to find what will drive you out of the bed each morning to train. You need supreme motivation.

The same is true with tithing your income. You will need more than determi-nation. You will need something to motivate you. And what better motivation does one need to tithe than to consider God’s love for His children? God paid the highest PRICE to save us. Our salvation cost God everything. He gave His only Son generously for our sins. There is no greater motivation to give, than to realize all that God gave to save us.

Second, you need to EXERT EFFORT.A novice runner can read books about running. They can even consult experts,

and even purchase the most current racing gear. Yet nothing can take the place of training. To get in shape you must exert effort. There will be many days you will not want to run. On those days you must find the resolve to push yourself to exert a special effort reserved only for long distance runners.


The same is true with novice tithers. Many people give up on tithing before they start. Before they give the first dollar they talk themselves out of giving 10% of their income to the kingdom of God. To do so, would blow a hole in their budget. It would wreck their tedious financial situation. So instead of trying to tithe, they throw in the towel before the first check is written.

Tithing requires sacrifice. You cannot just write a check. You must work at being generous. You must budget your tithe. You must make sacrifices. You must determine to live within your means.

Third, you need to have a SMART TRAINING PLAN.One of the challenges of running 26.2 miles is to remain on your feet for sev-

eral hours. A novice marathoner must build up their endurance in order to com-pete. The first week of training may only include a total of 15 miles of training, with a long run of three miles. The final week of training will include a total of 35-40 miles, with a 20-22 mile long run. It is that smart training plan that gets the runner in shape for the longest run of their life. It is a step by step process, with incremental increases each week.

The same is true when planning to tithe. Very few people can force their budget to go from 0% to 10% overnight. You will need to build up to a tithe. You will need to build a plan within your budget to increase your giving week after week until you reach the base level of 10%.

For example, you may start the first week at 1%. Two weeks later you bump your giving to 3%. Five weeks down the road you step out in faith to 8%. Before you know it you are giving 10%. The key is to take incremental steps toward giving.

So, there it is. To run 26.2 miles you need to be extremely motivated, to exert effort and to stick with a smart training plan. The same is true with learning to tithe.

Whether you are training for a marathon or giving 10% of your income to the kingdom of God, you can do it. Once you learn the right way to do either, you are well on your way to being in great shape both physically and financially.

ZERO to10


Three Streams – One RiverHow we give each week

Rivers are important. Rivers are the most obvious and significant feature of the landscape. Rivers transport water by gravity from small streams to large oceans. Water rushing through a river a is relentless image. The natural process of a river is poetry in motion.

Without rivers America’s transportation system would be drastically limited. Yes, water transportation is still one of the cheapest forms of transportation today. Rivers matter also because they produce energy. A majority of the electricity supplied in Alabama is produced by hydroelectric power. In addition to transportation and energy, rivers are also a major supplier of irrigation, recreation and drinking water. In short, rivers matter because they quench an ever-increasing thirst of civilization.

In the same way rivers matters to civilization, the river of stewardship flowing through CrossPoint matters to our church. CrossPoint’s river of stewardship is poetry in motion. It is a significant feature of our vision to reach JUST ONE MORE. The natural process of CrossPoint’s stewardship is poetic indeed. Although our members are not forced to give, they do so voluntarily and generously. And their giving is a beautiful picture of God’s grace.

Additionally, CrossPoint’s river of stewardship matters because it provides the resources necessary to fulfill our vision to reach JUST ONE MORE. Without CrossPoint’s River of Stewardship, we would be limited. Without the generosity of God’s people giving together, we would lack the essentials for ministry. That is why we view our stewardship as a current of generosity flowing through our church.

When giving to CrossPoint’s River of Stewardship, every Sunday our family of faith gives to three streams that feed our river of stewardship. We give our tithe to the MINISTRY STREAM. We give our offerings above our tithe to the MORTGAGE and MISSIONS STREAMS. And when we give, God receives the glory.


Where The Money Goes1. MINISTRY STREAM

The Ministry Stream includes funds to support the ongoing ministries of CrossPoint. This includes programs for allage groups, supplies, special events, personnel expenses, facilities maintenance, equipment, utilities, and many other items included in our ministry budget. The Stewardship Team develops the budget, presents it to the church family for approval each December, and then monitors the expenses throughout the year.

Ministry giving has increased 10% as compared to this time last year.

2. MORTGAGE STREAMThe Mortgage Stream includes contributions to pay down our mortgage. While our regular monthly payment is

included in the ministry budget mentioned above, this stream goes directly toward paying down the indebtedness for our beautiful facilities at CrossPoint.

2013 Renovation - CrossPoint added space for 200 additional chairs to the sanctuary this year as well as enlarged the entry and hall areas allowing for much improved functionality. Thanks to your faithfulness, we were able to pay cash for this $575,000 renovation!

Mortgage giving has increased 60% as compared to this time last year.

3. MISSIONS STREAMThe Missions Stream includes gifts to the World Missions Offering. Fifty percent (50%) of this money goes to

Southern Baptist international mission efforts. Twenty-five percent (25%) goes to Southern Baptist North American mission work, and 25% is allocated to direct mission efforts involving CrossPoint members.

Missions giving has increased 107% as compared to this time last year.


Questions You May Have About “It’s Your Move”

To follow are a few of the main questions we feel most will have about It’s Your Move. You can also visit, ItsYourMove-CrossPoint.info to view more questions and

answers as well as ask any you might have.

1) What is the purpose of this generosity initiative?The purpose of this generosity initiative is to ensure that every CrossPoint member is:

Î educated on the Biblical teachings and expectations of sacrificial giving. Î asked to evaluate where they stand with their individual giving. Î encouraged to begin the journey of stretching their faith for a lifetime of giv-

ing – one year at a time.

2) Why now?What began as a conviction among the 2012 Stewardship and Ministry Team lead-

ers to significantly reduce the mortgage and fund the Worship Center expansion, prayerfully emerged into an enthusiasm to help all members better understand the Biblical teachings of faith-based, sacrificial giving. It is the conviction of this year’s leadership that God has led us to once again conduct this emphasis at CrossPoint. Our Worship Center expansion was completed and paid for earlier this year. We look forward as a family of faith to what God has in store for our church and continue to aggressively pay down our mortgage as He provides.

3) What is being asked of us?To prayerfully seek God’s guidance as you take a candid look at how faithful you

are with your giving and to make a commitment to grow in your giving in 2014. Are you entrusting your finances to God?


4) Can I change my commitment during the initiative?This is intended to be a commitment for 2014, but things do sometimes change

dramatically (up or down), therefore your commitment can be adjusted if necessary. Should that happen either in the form of a significant reduction or increase, prayer-fully seeking God’s guidance is always in order. He may just be stretching your faith a bit more. Listen to Him.

5) Will I be able to see the results of the initiative as it moves along?YES. As you have seen this year, there are weekly reports in our worship guides

showing “Our Growth in Giving” in all three categories: Ministry, Mortgage and Missions. These reports reveal the effects of “It’s Your Move” by presenting the increases for each category as compared to the prior year. This has been inspiring this year and should continue to be in 2014!

6) Who can I contact if I have a question?You can contact Sharon Tapscott or Steve Parr in the church office or any member

of the Stewardship Team.Sharon Tapscott - 205.655.0364 [email protected] Parr - 205.655.0364 [email protected]

Stewardship Team:Bob Poole, Team LeaderJohn WrightKeith ColgateCheryl CollinsDon DanielBen Stuart


What Move Do I Need To Make?

Every member of CrossPoint is being asked to examine their current level of giving as well as make a decision to increase it during the next year, in the form of a written commitment. Whether you now give zero or $1,000 per week, this is a BIG DECISION that should not be made in haste, or without guidance.

Î Why do we give? Î What does the Bible say about tithing and sacrificial giving? Î What does faith have to do with being a good steward? Î How do we know how much we should give individually? Î How are we blessed through our giving? Î Where does the money go? Î What is the difference when giving to the ministry, mortgage or

missions?

These are just a few of the many questions that will be posed and answered during the month of October to help prepare you as you consider your personal pledge. During the next five weeks, we are asking you to seek God in Worship, Bible Study, prayer and fellowship with other CrossPointers.

As you participate in this journey of better understanding Biblical steward-ship, we ask that you rethink your perception of “generosity.” We tend to think about generosity in terms of what we are giving to—like a charity or a commu-nity project. But what would happen if instead of thinking about GIVING TO, we began to think about GIVING FROM…a grateful heart. That is, a grateful heart for God’s blessings provided to us?

What difference would this make to you? What difference would this make to CrossPoint? Pray for yourself and others to experience a generosity revival!

As God directs each of us, we are to prayerfully consider our total projected giving to CrossPoint in 2014. This will include your tithes and your offerings to the three streams of Ministry, Mortgage and Missions. You will be asked to commit that total amount and give a generous offering on Celebration Sunday, November 3, 2013.


So, over the course of the next five weeks, please:

Î Attend worship EVERY WEEK! Î Participate in a Bible Study group on Sunday mornings. If you are not currently connected, use this month as an

opportunity to connect with one of our caring, loving groups! You will be welcomed with open arms! Î Pray about your involvement in “It’s Your Move.” Î Ask questions. In addition to the staff and Stewardship Team listed on page 13, you can go to ItsYourMove-

CrossPoint.info to view Frequently Asked Questions as well as ask questions of your own. Your questions will be answered in a timely manner.

Î Consider your commitment by completing the “Generosity Worksheet” shown below. You can use this worksheet to help you fill out your commitment card that will be mailed to your home in the next couple of weeks.

Î Turn in your commitment card and offering on Celebration Sunday, November 3, 2013.

Giving GuideThis commitment schedule is for a quick calculation of weekly, monthly and yearly giving. No one should feel confined

to this schedule. It is simply a tool for you to use with the Generosity Worksheet and your “It’s Your Move” commitment card.

Weekly Monthly Annually $5 $21.67 $260

$10 $43.33 $520

$15 $65.00 $780

$25 $108.33 $1,300

$35 $151.67 $1,820

$50 $216.67 $2,600

$75 $325.00 $3,900

$100 $433.33 $5,200

$150 $650.00 $7,800

$200 $866.67 $10,400

$250 $1,083.33 $13,000

$300 $1,300.00 $15,600

$400 $1,733.33 $20,800

$500 $2,166.67 $26,000

$1,000 $4,333.33 $52,000 This commitment schedule is for quick calculations of weekly, monthly, and yearly giving. No one should feel confined to this.

Giving Chart

My It’s Your Move Worksheet

What I normally give in one year to….

$______________ Ministry (Budget Offering)

$______________ Mortgage (Building Fund)

+ $______________ Missions (World Missions)

= $___________ My total normal annual giving

+ $___________ My INCREASED annual giving

My total It’s Your Move giving $__________

It’s Your Move giving for 2013 Envelope Number ________

My It’s Your Move giving

$______________ Ministry (Budget Offering)

$______________ Mortgage (Building Fund)

$______________ Missions (World Missions)

My total It’s Your Move giving $______________

Signature _________________________________________________ Date _______________________

Printed Name Printed Address Printed City, State Zip

This statement of intention may be revised or cancelled should circumstances make it necessary.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 20:35

2014


Living Generously: An Open Heart October 6, 2013 – Message Notes Philippians 2:1-11

IT’S YOUR MOVE!“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

LESSON: To live generously, I must have an open _____________________________________.

1. The Lord wants me to think of _____________________________________.

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped… Philippians 2:1-6

2. The Lord wants me to be a _____________________________________.

…but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7

3. The Lord wants me to _____________________________________.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8

4. The Lord wants me to glorify _____________________________________.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

NOTES:

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October 13, 2013 - Message Notes Living Generously: An Open MindMatthew 25:14-30



1. The Lord gives us all _____________________________________.14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Matthew 25:14-18

2. The Lord owns everything He has ______________________________ ________________________________.Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. Matthew 25:19

3. The Lord expects us to invest what we _____________________________________.20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:20-23

4. The Lord will hold all of us _____________________________________.24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25:24-30

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Living Generously: An Open Hand October 20, 2013 - Message NotesLuke 12:13-21



1. The Lord wants me to guard against _____________________________________.

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:13-15

2. The Lord does not want me to measure my life by _____________________________________.

16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ Luke 12:16-20

3. The Lord wants me to be rich toward _____________________________________.

So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:21

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October 20, 2013 - Bible Study Notes

Gratitude or Greed?

This month CrossPoint is focusing on It’s Your Move, our annual stewardship initiative. But we want this to encompass much more than a traditional stewardship initiative.

Church leaders pray and believe that It’s Your Move will impact your life and challenge you in your commitment and relationship with Christ. Today’s lesson will direct your attention to attitude and how it affects our stewardship.

The sparrow and the puddle. Î Greed is when we concentrate on what we don’t have. Î Gratitude is when we concentrate on what we do have.

Abundant harvest or bigger barns. Î Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the rich man

Self-sufficient or God dependent? Î Matthew 6:25-34, Birds do not sow or reap

Opportunity to do good. Î Galatians 6:7-10, sowing and reaping

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Living Generously: Living Sacrificially October 27, 2013 - Message NotesMark 12:41-44


LESSON: To live generously, I must live _____________________________________.

1. The Lord __________________________ __________________________ __________________________.

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. Mark 12:41-42

2. The Lord __________________________ __________________________ __________________________.

And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are con-tributing to the offering box. Mark 12:43

3. The Lord __________________________ __________________________ __________________________.

“For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:44

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October 27, 2013 - Bible Study Notes

Response or Responsibility?

Last week we discussed gratitude and greed, and how attitude affects our stewardship. The lesson today will discuss the question: Is giving a response or a responsibility?

Some people say that giving should be in response to all that God has done for us. Others say that it is the responsibility of Christians to tithe and give. Today we’ll better understand why giving should be both a response as well as a respon-sibility.

Giving is a response. Î Luke 7:36-50, the woman and the ointment. Î Mark 14:5-9, a year’s wages. Î Luke 19:1-10, Zacchaeus.

Salvation cannot be purchased. Î Luke 7:50, Saved by Grace. Î Giving is often a response to salvation but salvation is never a response to giving.

Giving is a Responsibility. Î Matthew 28:19-20, The Great Commission. Î Romans 10:14-15, unless they are sent? Î Malachi 3:8-12, Warning and challenge. Î Mark 12:13-17, Render to Caesar and to God. Î 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, God loves a cheerful giver.

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Living Generously: Giving Generously November 3, 2013 - Message NotesMatthew 6:19-34


LESSON: To live generously, I must give _____________________________________.

1. The Lord wants me to invest in _____________________________________.19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:19-24

2. The Lord wants me to trust Him to meet my _____________________________________.25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” Matthew 6:25-31

3. The Lord wants me to seek _____________________________________.32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness… Matthew 6:32-33a

4. The Lord wants me to rest in His _____________________________________.…and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:33b-34

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November 3, 2013 - Celebration Sunday

Let’s Have a Party!Sunday, November 3

Last year’s closing celebration for It’s Your Move was one of the highlights of the initiative. The setting was perfect. The food was delicious. The celebration was timely. Most of all, the fellowship was heart-felt.

The celebration was such a success many of you have asked if we plan to do it again this year. The answer to that ques-tion is yes. Yes, indeed. So, let’s have a party.

On Sunday, November 3, we want to experience another unforgettable day just like we did in 2013. We will worship. We will fellowship. We will most certainly eat. And, we will give thanks to God for what He has done, is doing and will do in our family of faith.

Everyone is invited to drop by the Connector for a Celebration breakfast!Beginning at 7:30 AM through 12:30 PM, we will be serving breakfast and drinks on the patio.


Weekly Blessings Journal

God’s Word promises blessings for those who tithe. As a matter of fact it is the only place in the Bible, where God invites us to test Him. We have learned over the past five weeks, blessings are about far more than just money. Whether they come in the form of our health, relationships, the opportunity to help others or our spiritual growth we should look for them, record them and rejoice.

Malachi 3:10Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

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