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Finances: Good News and Challenges Ahead
Let’s talk about our church finances. We have some great news to celebrate and some challenges ahead. As always, let me say thank you so much for your partnership in time, energy and finances in this wonderful church.
Good News
2014 was a record year for donations to our General Fund. Here’s a review of our General Fund donations, from the beginning of the fiscal year to the end of the calendar year, May 1 to December 31:
2010 $4,781,210
2009 $4,862,668
2011 $5,004,060
2012 $5,280,533
2013 $5,662,749
2014 $5,754,757
God’s people have been gracious and generous in the support of this work! These numbers represent eight months of our actual donations in these various years. Thank you so much for your regular and faithful giving!
Challenges Ahead
From May to December of 2014, giving was at a record level. Yet, we had set a budget that was higher. Further, there was a significant decline in giving in the latter part of December and in early January:
Budget Giving Need
As of December 31 $5,931,750 $5,754,757 $176,993
As of January 25 $6,541,750 $6,164,351 $377,399
Be assured, we only spend up to our income. We won’t follow the pattern of the federal government—we can’t and won’t do deficit spending. We will not spend more than what we have received.
Let me also share some of the ways that we review our finances:
• We have an annual external audit by an independent CPA firm.
• We do three internal audits each year—our Trustees look at various budget areas to assure compliance with our budget and policies.
• We are a part of the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability.
• Our Trustees and Elders review our balance sheet and income/expense sheet. Further, our Trustees quarterly review accounts that are over or under budget.
We will continue to carefully monitor our income and expenses each week and keep you up-to-date. Please join with us in praying that God would give us much wisdom about this situation. In the next few days, our staff will discuss how we can cut expenses.
Thanks again for your partnership and support of God’s work at EvFree Fullerton and please prayerfully consider how you can play a part.
 David Fletcher
Executive Pastor
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Please be reminded that starting THIS SUNDAY February 1, our Sunday morning service times will change to 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30 am.
Additionally, we are excited to launch a Classic Worship Venue in the Commons at 8:30 am and 10:00 am. We'll continue to move towards one contemporary musical worship style in the Worship Center services, as well as 5:00 pm in the Commons.
Programs for kids (birth–6th grade) will now be available during all three morning services. Jr High and High School groups will meet at 11:30 am on north campus. Special Needs groups will meet as follows: Fellowship of Friends at 10:00 am in C212; Circle of Friends at 10:00 and 11:30 am in C209. Contact Connie Hutchinson, 714.257.4386, for more information about special needs groups.
Read more about the new venue here.
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Team Members Needed—Serve at EvFree
We’re excited to open up opportunities for people to be connected with like-hearted folks who are welcoming, eager to help, friendly, as well as directional and knowledgeable. We need new HOST Ministry members for our Parking, Guest Guides, Plaza Refreshment, Communion, greeters/ushers and Believe teams.
We also need more team members on our EvFree Kids Crew now that we’ll be offering programs for kids (birth–6th grade) all three morning services starting February 1. If you feel the Holy Spirit prompting YOU to be part of this amazing ministry team, come by the Plaza on Sunday to learn more about being part of our Kids Crew Family.
Sign up here to serve on the HOST Ministry team or EvFree Kids Crew.
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Bite Size
We still have room for a number of women for our second round of Bite Size groups launching this February. Bite Size is comprised of groups of 10–12 women who meet for five weeks in homes in Brea, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia and Yorba Linda. This is not a Bible study, support group or prayer group—although much of that will occur—but it is a chance for intergenerational connection woman-to-woman. Stop by the Women’s table on the Plaza on Sunday to sign up ($10 fee) or drop by the church during the week to find out about a Bite Size group in your area.
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Nominations for Elders
We have a team of godly Elders providing leadership to our church. Each year in May, our church conducts elections to fill vacancies on the Elder Board. As part of our governance process, we ask our members to nominate leaders to serve as Elders. These nominees should meet the scriptural qualifications for leadership according to 1 Timothy 3:1–10. This year’s Nomination Form is available here as well as in our church office and on Sundays at Guest Central. Please fill out the form and return it to the office, Guest Central or by mail by February 15.
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