First Plymouth Congregational Church Changes Lives … your generosity makes it possible! Extravagant Welcome Worship Spiritual Formation Mission Bearing Fruit Beloved Community

Our Work and Witness Extravagant Welcome Extravagant Welcome Worship Worship Spiritual Formation Spiritual Formation Mission…Plus Mission…Plus Beloved Community Beloved Community

Extravagant Welcome Hospitality in its broadest sense is a defining quality of Christian communities. This sign continues to welcome newcomers, we believe at least 1 each week. Many of them are attending every week, grateful to have found a spiritual home.

Ways in which we practice Extravagant Welcome include: Sunday greeters and Welcome Bags for guests the New Member-Sponsor program a continually revitalized Web Site space for a small Jewish faith community subsidized meeting rooms for groups such as Parenting after Divorce

Spirit led and spirit filled worship nurtures in us a deepening spirituality and closeness to God, individually and communally. It is the beloved center of our lives at First Plymouth. It fuels our ministry and our lives.

Weekly Sunday services *Good Friday and Christmas Eve * Thanksgiving with Temple Sinai * Rites of passage & commissioning events * Choir concerts & Lenten organ concerts * Our dedicated Prayer Room * Sunday service DVDs for shut-ins * Flowers and seasonal visuals

At First Plymouth, we believe Spiritual Formation is a lifelong journey, a divine invitation to each person to grow in the practice of discipleship, living in ways that reveal the image of God in which we are created.

We nurture our children each Sunday Sunday school Choirs * First Communion Classes * Youth Groups * Mission Trips Adults are sustained and challenged by * Bible Basics * CE Workshops * Women’s and Men’s Retreats * Book studies * Sabbath Group * Soulful Sundown

Our always growing commitment to Mission is grounded in our belief that worship and spiritual formation have a purpose: to prepare us for a life of service and justice for others. Service and Justice

“ Moments for Mission inspire me every single week.” Each week our entire loose offering, Goes directly to Share the Plate, supporting almost 20 charities and non-profits nominated each year by church members--$35, 221 in $17,500 goes to Our Church’s Wider Mission, serving people the world over.

Bearing Fruit…the “plus” beyond our budget What is the dollar value of …? 4,703 pounds of donated food 450 Easter baskets 1,140 pairs of socks and countless bags of clothing 455 Thanksgiving and Easter meals 550+ Christmas gifts for our DICP Santa shop $41,900 in sales through the World Gift Market, benefitting many small nonprofits 70 children in Vacation Bible School, with 20 from DICP on scholarship This, too, is MISSION

We provide organic garden plots through Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) We work on Habitat for Humanity builds We hold annual Clothing Drives We gather food for MetroCaring on monthly Can-do Sundays We collect school supplies for DICP and children in homeless shelters We host an annual electronics recycling event

And we extend the idea of Bearing Fruit into our mission work in the wider world… through gifts of time, talent, and material possessions, seeking to dedicate our whole lives to revealing the realm of justice and peace right here, right now.

“Agency” or Flow-Through Funds go directly to their intended recipient * Rwanda * Share the Plate * Can-Do Cash * Veterans of the Cross * Habitat for Humanity * LOFT * Refugee Resettlement In , some $72,969 we’re distributed in direct contributions and grants to those in need beyond the walls of our church.

Add these non-budget items, as well Arts at Plymouth Children's Choir Community Camp Flower Committee La Foret Memorials Memorial Gardens Men's Fellowship ONA Special Projects Thursday Afternoon Circle VBS VBS Women's Retreat Youth

We are called into Beloved Community to a community of openness, honesty, love and compassion, a safe and sacred place to bring all of oneself.

We sustain and nurture each other with the help of our Pastoral Care Coordinators and Parish Visitor and programs like * The Web of Care * Book Clubs * Men’s and Women’s Retreats * Prayer Circles * Healing Touch * the Prayer Shawl Ministry * Flower Delivery

In Beloved Community, no matter where you are or what happens to you: * someone will pray for you * someone will care and cover your back * someone will be there to help you * someone will be there to help your family * someone will be there to share your joy * many will be there to celebrate with you What life-giving gifts we share!

Your generosity makes this possible! The percentages are based on the operating budget of $866,045

Invitation We invite each friend and member of First Plymouth to make a pledge to support our shared ministry and mission at a level of commitment that represents your household’s values. We encourage you to consider giving in proportion to what you have received. To help in your prayerful decision, we offer the following levels of proportionate giving to challenge and inspire you. Basic Support – 2% of annual income Sustaining Support – 3% - 4% of annual income Visionary Support – 5% - 8% of household income Biblical Tithe – 10% or more of household income

Proportional Giving Chart Weekly giving as a proportion of income. Annual Income Weekly Income2%3%4%5%10% $25,000$481$10$15$19$24$48 $30,000$577$12$17$23$29$58 $40,000$769$15$23$31$39$78 $50,000$962$19$29$38$48$96 $60,000$1,154$23$35$46$58$115 $70,000$1,346$27$40$54$81$135 $80,000$1,538$31$46$62$77$154 $90,000$1,731$35$52$69$87$174 $100,000$1,923$38$57$77$95$192 $150,000$2,885$58$87$115$145$288 $200,000$3,846$77$116$154$193$385 $250,000$4,808$96$144$192$240$481 $300,000$5,769$115$172$231$288$577

First Plymouth Congregational Church Changes Lives …your generosity makes it possible ! As you consider your financial commitment to our shared witness this year, we invite you to consider the words of Gandhi, Be the change you wish to see in the world

Mission Statement To worship God To worship God To nurture people on their Christian journeys To nurture people on their Christian journeys To witness to God’s love in word and deed To witness to God’s love in word and deed Aspire to be a community which is: Biblically based Biblically based Intellectually open Intellectually open Theologically progressive Theologically progressive Inclusive of all people Inclusive of all people

Mission Statement Foster an atmosphere of joy and celebration that welcomes all people, we commit to provide: Varied and meaningful opportunities for worship and spiritual growth, Varied and meaningful opportunities for worship and spiritual growth, Engaging and interactive Christian education for all age groups, Engaging and interactive Christian education for all age groups, A caring and compassionate ministry to members and friends of the church family, A caring and compassionate ministry to members and friends of the church family, Loving service to the wider community with a focus on human need, social justice, and stewardship of the earth, Loving service to the wider community with a focus on human need, social justice, and stewardship of the earth, Generous material and spiritual support for our mission and community. Generous material and spiritual support for our mission and community.