Scriptural encouragement “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body . . . grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:15,16). “As servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed,” we need to keep growing into Christ, our Head. Jesus is the one who has graciously brought us into the Church and who enables his body to build itself up in love. We thank our Lord for enabling each of us to perform our part in speaking the truth of Jesus in love to souls in North America and around the world!

Worship and Bible study 45.4% in worship 15.5% in Bible class 2.5% of income to offerings 6.7% of church offerings given as CMO According to the Spirit’s powerful work in the hearts of his people, our average worship attendance in 2015 was up from 42.1% in 2014, and average Bible class attendance was up from 15.2% in 2014. We thank our Lord for these blessings! In addition, personal income to offerings stayed the same, and church offerings given as CMO is slightly down from 6.8% in 2014. There’s room to grow in all these areas; let’s ask our gracious Savior to build us up in love for him and others. 2.5% income figure—based on WELS 2015 Statistical Report and the U.S. Dept. of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis (divided per communicant giving figure for synod by U.S. per capita income). 6.7% CMO figure—based on figures from WELS 2015 Statistical Report.

Congregation Mission Offerings 2016 subscriptions show a decrease of 1.8% from 2015 actual offerings CMO 2016 through September is $76,879 (.5%) below 2015 gifts for the same period However, year to date receipts are 1.5% over CMO subscriptions. Christ’s gifts through his people continue to be strong in 2016. To him be the glory! We commend you for your thoughtful generosity!

Congregation Mission Offerings Year to year CMO has been flat It is evident that God’s people through their congregations glorify God through their Congregation Mission Offerings. As we acknowledge the Lord’s goodness to us, we also recognize that our CMO isn’t keeping up with the approximately 3.5% annual increase in the cost of maintaining our present level of ministry. Let us ask God for his blessings of contentment, trust, and generosity as we encourage growth in CMO and additional gifts from individuals.

Congregation Mission Offerings When setting CMO, aim for 10% of offerings. If at or above this goal, challenge your congregation to keep increasing. “Excel in this grace of giving….For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 8:7,9) When setting CMO, we encourage all our congregations to consider designating 10+% of general offerings for CMO. The reason? Because you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Resources WELS Connection Together e-newsletter Forward in Christ Annual Report Annual CMO setting materials Please note these resources that are designed to keep you and others informed about how CMO and unrestricted IMO is being used to further Christ’s kingdom.

Resources Stewardship programs 364 Days of Thanksgiving Faith Focused Finances “Joyful Generosity” School of Stewardship “Heart in Focus” personal financial course Archive of programs at Christian Giving page on WELS Cloud (login required) In addition, we encourage you to make use of new (364 Days), familiar (FFF), or archived Christian stewardship resources as part of your adult discipleship program.

Important Dates January 9, 2017: Cutoff date for remitting 2016 CMO September: Congregations received CMO subscription information packets Friday, February 3, 2017: Deadline for setting 2017 CMO and submitting congregational statistics.

Thank you! WELS Ministry of Christian Giving Dan Herold, South Central District Chairman herolddd@gmail.com Thank you for your time today and your partnership in Christ’s kingdom. We look forward to working with you soon! Until then, may God equip you with everything good for doing his will; and may he work in us what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory now and forever!