Offertory Moments Every Number Has A Story Env

Note: This resource has been provided by LifeWay Envelope Service. For more information about our Cooperative Program Offering Envelope series and how LifeWay Envelope Service can help you tell the people in your pews about the measurable acts of ministry funded by the Cooperative Program, please call 1.800.874.6319, e-mail envelopeservice@lifeway.com, or visit us online at www.lifewaystores.com/envelopeservice. Cooperative Program Offering Envelope Series "Every Number Has a Story" Offertory Moments Calendar Year 2009 January 4 – As we begin this New Year, know that your faithful giving impacts men, women, and children in North America who may not be celebrating this occasion. Through your tithes and gifts, Southern Baptists hunger ministries served more than 3.5 million meals across North America in 2007. In difficult economic times like these, it is incumbent on the body of Christ to care for those in need, showing the world the power of the Gospel at work in us. 11 – Your love for the Lord and your faithful obedience in giving your tithes and offerings has a direct impact on evangelism through the efforts of 2,778 endorsed Southern Baptist chaplains. The tireless service of military and medically-based chaplains around the world led 9,954 people to a new relationship with Christ last year. 18 – Today is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. 1.5 million babies are aborted every year. Your faithful giving provides valuable alternatives for women and families by empowering ministries that uphold life as a precious gift of God to be valued and cherished. 25 – Matthew 5:14-16 reminds us that, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” However, according to Ed Stetzer, Director of LifeWay research, 89% of our churches are making no measurable impact on those without Christ. May we press ahead, through faithful giving and Christ-like living, toward the goal of being salt and light in this world! February

1 – The future, of our church, our country, and the leadership of our world is the Young Adult generation, those ages 18-29. Sadly, almost 25% of this group claim no religious affiliation. As we bring our tithes and offerings before the Lord today, let us pray they will provide the opportunity and the resources to develop new ways to impact this strategic portion of our society. 8 – The familiar song, Jesus Loves the Little Children says, “Red and Yellow, Black and White, they are precious in His sight...” Today is Racial Reconciliation Sunday. Through our faithful giving we participated in the establishment of over 800 ethnic and African-American churches last year. May we continue to give knowing that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. 15 – Statistically speaking, only 5% of adults in the US tithe regularly. That means 95% are missing out on the blessings God has promised to provide for His children. As we worship through our giving remember, according to scripture, all we have comes from the Lord and we give, not from our excess, but from the first fruits of what He provides. 22 - Thank you for your faithful giving that enables us to worship in this place each week. Also, thank you on behalf of needy families from inner cities across the country. Your giving, when combined with gifts from other churches, assisted in the restoration of over 12,000 inner city homes since 1990. March 1 – In this day and time it is important for us to Live with Urgency. Statistics tell us that 7,200 people die each hour of every day. Most of these people die without a personal relationship with a loving Savior. Our North American Mission Board has set aside this week as the Week of Prayer & Mission Study for North American missions. In addition to your regular tithes, your faithful support of the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering helps spread the saving message of the Gospel to all corners of the United States. 8 – As we conclude the Week of Prayer & Mission Study for North American missions we’ve learned we need to live with urgency and share the love of Christ with those around us who have eyes, but they don’t see and ears but they don’t hear. They are spiritually dead. Our regular and faithful giving undergirds the ministries of our congregation and our commitment to reaching people through the Cooperative Program and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, enables us to impact those who need the touch of the living God. 15 – A survey of parents revealed that 16% of them believe that substance abuse is the most significant or challenging issue facing their teenagers. Today is Substance Abuse Prevention Sunday. Your faithful giving assists ministries that provide lifesaving alternatives, not only for local youth, but programs and materials that help change teenagers lives around the country every day. As we live with urgency and give faithfully, we can help protect our greatest natural resources, our children.

22 –We give gratitude to God for his ongoing multiplication of our tithes and offerings around the world. Thanks in part to our participation in the Cooperative Program and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, 73 new churches are started by Southern Baptist missionaries and partners every day around the world. Continue to pray about what God is calling you to give to provide opportunities for others to hear the Gospel. Our giving reflects our commitment to live with urgency. 29 – Surprisingly, 71% of un-churched people surveyed said that Christians they know don’t talk about their beliefs. God, speaking through the Psalmist says, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so” Psalms 107:2 (KJV). God asks us not to only faithfully give of our income, but to be His voice in the world as well. April 5 – Because of our faithful giving we have a direct impact on the training and equipping of future pastors, missionaries and other ministry leaders that are currently being trained in our six Southern Baptist Seminaries. It’s exciting to know that through our gifts we’re making an investment with eternal returns. 12 – In an economy in which Americans spend $1.26 for every $1 earned, it is imperative that we give faithfully and stay within what God provides. Doing so not only shows good stewardship, but also provides a witness to those around us that God is the giver of “our daily bread.” 19 – Today is Life Commitment Sunday a day set aside not only to give thanks for your own commitment to Christ, but to prayerfully consider how your life serves as a witness to those who do not know Christ. Statistics tell us that 54% of all baptisms occur before the age of 18. As you worship by giving your tithes this morning, prayerfully consider how you might recommit yourself to share the grace and mercy you have experienced through Christ with others. 26 – It’s been said “you can do things I cannot do and I can do things you cannot do. But together, we can do great things.” Today is Cooperative Program Sunday across our convention – a day where we celebrate and give thanks for the fruits of our cooperative missions and ministries. Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." As we partner with sister churches with a portion of our gifts, we are putting love in action and bringing the message of Christ to the world. May 3 – Moses instructed the Israelites to “rise in the presence of the elderly and honor the old” Lev. 19:32 (HCSB). This morning is Senior Adult Sunday, a day set aside to recognize the faithful giving and service of our Senior Adults. The heritage and tradition represented in their lives and the ministry of our “older saints” model what commitment to God looks like through both the joys and challenges of life.

10 – Last year 1,478 high school and college students stepped out in faith and participated in short-term missions. Our tithes and offerings support our own students and assist others in serving God around the world. God desires to use all of us. The question is are we usable? 17 – The North American Mission Board estimates that 75% of the U.S. population does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our gifts, combined with our consistent witness, are both necessary to reflect the love of Christ to an increasingly lost population. 24 – Statistically speaking it takes 47 Southern Baptists to lead 1 person to Christ. The words of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke remind us that, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you...” As we worship through the giving of our gifts, we continue the work of the church to equip each of us to share our faith with those we know, and those we do not. 31 – It is hard to imagine, but estimates say 5.8 billion people in the world do not know Jesus. As we observe the Day of Prayer and Fasting for World Evangelization, realize that God loves every single one of those 5.8 billion people just as much as He loves you. In addition to your tithe, consider giving an additional gift, equivalent to what you would typically spend on food for a day, in order to support and advance the work of the Kingdom of God. June 7 – Thanks in part to your faithful giving, combined with gifts from sister churches, 1,054 people prayed to receive Christ through the work of summer missionaries across the U.S. last year. Please continue to give generously so that other youth and college missionaries may be able to serve as a witness of God’s grace and mercy. 14 – The task is not complete. There are still 603 un-engaged and un-reached people groups with populations of more than 100,000 or greater in the world. Our tithes help support and expand the tireless work of missionaries around the globe who are seeking to bring the message of Christ to those who have not yet heard, and don’t realize their need. 21 – As we acknowledge Baptist Men’s Emphasis today, we celebrate the leadership and support of the men in our church and recommit them to the challenge that scripture gives them to be models of Christ’s leadership in the home, the church, and the community at large. As you worship through the giving of your tithe, include a prayer of thanksgiving for the men in your life who have modeled Christ’s love for you. 28 – Today we participate in Dignity Sunday. The purpose of Dignity Sunday is to highlight the needs almost 2,500 retired ministers and their widows, most of whom are on fixed incomes. After decades of faithful service, many struggle with needed funds for housing, food, and vital medication. Thank God today for these faithful servants and

remember, as you give there are ways you can honor the years of service each of these have given to the growth of the church. July 5 –Today is the 233 anniversary of the founding of this nation, a nation built on religious rd liberty and freedom. Yet, in spite of this liberty to freely share the Gospel, America has the 4th largest number of people in the world. As we participate in Citizenship and Religious Liberty Sunday, we must continue to give faithfully so that those without Christ, through the work of the church, may come to know the saving and freeing love of our Savior. 12 – World Changers utilizes high school and college students as volunteer labor for construction and building projects in inner city neighborhoods and overseas. In 2007 more than 22,345 participants took part in projects all over the world. As we worship God with our tithes, let’s pray for these students, and give thanks for our commitment to reaching people through the Cooperative Program which helps support the work of groups like World Changers. 19 – The North American Mission Board’s Evangelism Response Center received more than 34,000 calls in 2007 resulting in over 1,730 persons praying to receive Christ. Let’s continue to give our gifts to the Lord through our church so that those in need of spiritual guidance may have access to this vital evangelism resource. 26 – Your giving makes a difference in expanding God’s Kingdom! In 2007 the North American Mission Board, in conjunction with state conventions, associations, and local churches, planted 1455 new congregations across the U.S.. As we worship with our offerings today, remember to pray for these new churches. August 2 – Did you know that we, Southern Baptists, have been ministering to AIDS victims in Africa since the 1980’s? The emphasis of Social Issues Sunday today is Sexual Purity. Most of us have heard of the emphasis “True Love Waits” and as a direct result of our gifts we are helping to spread this message around the world. 9 – As we anticipate the beginning of another school year, our focus turns to Student Evangelism Day. Statistics tell us that 75% of believers come to Christ before the age of 21. The urgency to continue to bring the gospel to the younger generation calls for us to support this vital work through the consistent giving of our tithes and offerings. 16 – Today we highlight the vital role Southern Baptists play in ministering to the needs of those affected by natural disasters. Currently 85,000 trained volunteers across the country stand ready minister to others in times of great need, thanks in part to the faithful giving of our gifts to the Lord through our church.

23 –It often takes months, or even years to recover from a natural disaster. As we continue to highlight the work Southern Baptists in the area of disaster relief, realize that in 2007, 1,238 homes and buildings were repaired with the assistance of volunteers and help from our ongoing tithes and offerings. 30 – Together we send missionaries. Together we prepare missionaries, pastors, and other ministry leaders. And together, Southern Baptists form the 3 largest disaster relief rd organization in the nation; living out Jesus admonition in Matthew 25. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me.” Thank you for worshipping God through your regular giving that helps those going through trying times. September 6 –Single Adults are one of the fastest growing segments of the population. In the U.S. this translates to a larger population than all but 11 of the world’s 192 nations. In other words, more than 4 out of 10 adults in the United States are single and the impact they have on our culture and community is significant. As we highlight Single Adult Sunday understand that our faithful, ongoing gifts reach out to all age groups, including this important group of adults. 13 – This is typically the peak of Hurricane Season. As we worship God today with our tithes and offerings, part of our gifts support the tireless work of 1,500 disaster relief units across the United States. These units stand ready at a moment’s notice to serve those who, in many circumstances, find themselves with little or nothing left. 20 – Everything costs something. Did you know that every compulsive gambler in our country has a negative effect on the economy of between $14,000 and 22,000 each year? Today is Anti-Gambling Sunday and the regular giving of our gifts help support ministries designed to educate, combat and heal the detrimental effects of gambling in our society. 27 – The prophet Isaiah reminds us, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" According to the North American Mission Board, in 2007, an estimated 125,000 people participated in short-term mission projects across the United States. It is exciting to realize that our obedience in the area of giving is creating opportunities for all of us to use our gifts and be on mission with Christ. October 4 – You may be surprised to discover that people are more willing to hear about Christ than you realize. In fact, 78% of people surveyed said they are willing to hear your belief’s concerning Jesus. On this Soul-Winning Commitment Day, we are reminded of the words of Jesus in Acts when he said, “… you will be my witnesses…” As you worship

today through the giving your tithes, ask God to bring someone across your path with whom you can share how much Jesus means to you. 11 – Athletes often refer to “giving 100%” on the field in order to achieve victory. When it comes to giving it all, realize that 100% of all gifts to the Southern Baptist World Hunger fund are used directly for hunger-related projects. Today is World Hunger Sunday - so as you faithfully give your tithe, generously give to the work of World Hunger as well, knowing all of it will go directly to those who need it most. 18 –Almost 11,000 missionaries, 15,000 seminary students, 908,165 baptisms. Though the work and ministry of the Cooperative Program has an incredibly large scope, it all begins with your faithful giving to the Lord through our church. This simple step of obedience puts love in action - 1 person at a time. 25 – World Changers changes lives. Last year 1209 people indicated they prayed to receive Christ through the efforts of World Changers participants. The ministry of World Changers begins in our church each Sunday as we worship the Lord through our faithful tithes and offerings. November 1 – Off all the victims in a natural disaster, none are more innocent and helpless than children. Last year disaster relief teams provided care for 823 children whose parents were dealing with the aftermath of Mother Nature. On this Children’s Missions Celebration Sunday let’s continue to worship through the giving our gifts so that these teams might be prepared and able to care for the children who will be affected in future disasters. 8 – The North American Mission Board, in partnership with Baptist State Conventions, coordinates the ministries of 5,271 missionaries across the United States. These missionaries serve in cities and resort areas, minister to new immigrants and under-served populations, and work with churches in providing discipleship, training, and evangelism. Through our regular giving we help send them and spread the light of Christ across our country. 15 – God uses our faithful giving to help support the hands-on work of providing the basic necessities for those who experience the devastation and loss of natural disasters. Through Southern Baptist Disaster volunteers we helped provide 1,039,989 meals to men, women, and children affected by natural disasters in 2007. 22 – Eight hundred forty-four (844) new international missionaries were appointed in 2007. Their ministry is a direct result of our commitment to reaching people through the Cooperative Program. As we worship through the giving of our tithes and offerings, let’s thank God for their willingness to follow His call and pray for His protection and blessing upon them and their families as they serve.

29 – The holidays bring family time, gifts, and the Week of Prayer and Mission Study for International Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering . The International Mission Board estimates that an additional 2,800 missionaries are needed to engage the unengaged people groups of the world. Our faithfulness in the giving of our tithes and offerings can send those God has called. December 6 – During this Week of Prayer and Mission Study and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, we’ve discovered how our giving enables the ministry of our international missionaries. Let’ s continue to pray for them as they develop ways to bring the good news of the gospel to the 6505 people groups that are currently considered un-reached. 13 – While there are still thousands of people groups to reach, last year 1183 different people groups around the world were engaged with the gospel thanks in part to our prayers and our faithful participation in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program. As we worship with our tithes and offerings, give thanks to God for this great news. 20 – What happens when 44,000 churches work together? Impact! Last year 5,384 international missionaries served across the globe as a direct result of our faithful giving. Today, as we worship with our gifts, let’s thank God for multiplying our resources and ministry! 27 – A years worth of giving, an eternity of impact. As we look toward the new year, let’s give God praise for the 609,968 people who experienced new life in Christ and were baptized in 2007. Our faithful giving to the Lord through our church is making a difference.

Offertory Moments Every Number Has A Story Env

by Ben Stroup

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