Making a promise can be a powerful act of faith consecrated to God, and it is my true prayer that you every disciple will experience this.  God uses the advance promises made to support Epworth leadership in faithfully projecting what ministry we can do based upon the tithes and offerings given and promised by our community.

 

When you promise, our Finance Lead takes the total of promised giving and makes a more accurate projection of tithes and offerings for 2025. We understand it is an estimate, but budgeting based on promise cards received increases the accuracy of our projections and helps us ensure that each of our vital ministries can be allocated as many resources as possible for the work.

 

In addition, making a promise can help us as a disciple. Promises can be a tool for our personal finances, helping us to budget monthly or weekly for the offering we have discerned we are called to give. Promising helps to hold us accountable to giving. And when we have had to adjust our promise down or not been able to meet the promise made, the invitation to renew a promise has given us the courage to step out again into a new year with God. Finally, promising can move us from fear of not having enough, to taking a measured step forward in faith. Edgard and I have found that making a promise for the next year helps us grow in our giving towards or beyond the tithe (10% of our income) which is the biblical starting place given.

 

The call in our discipleship is to give. And you have and are giving to God’s work and ministry through this local body Epworth. This is why we have you listed among our members, contributors, and friends. Honestly, this is the most important part. this work.

 

As we look forward to the coming year, I pray you will continue to offer yourself and I hope as you renew your commitment, you will join me in making a promise for 2025.

 

 

 

 

Because of your faithfulness, and that of others, 2024 has been a strong year. In a season when ministry is hard and finances are tight, we have been able to do faithful work:

 

• Vital youth ministry for Epworth youth, youth in the community, and collaborative youth ministry through the Greater Gaithersburg Youth Ministry.

 

• Intentional reach to children and families through Epworth Preschool and Kindergarten, Children’s’ Enrichment events during ESOL classes, and our own children’s’ ministry with Sunday School (and Children’s music) at all services. 

 

• A growing reach to young adults – with 2 young adult life groups, more young adults in leadership, and regular fellowship fun events.

 

• Returning adult discipleship through life groups, sermon series, targeted studies, and livestreaming of all our worship experiences, and weekly podcasts.

 

• Creative music ministry with special musical events and ongoing music and worship leadership in multiple styles to support traditional, praise, Spanish, and bilingual worship. This includes sound, video, fellowship/coffee hour and usher/altar support for each service. 

 

• Amazing community engagement through Epworth’s Ana A Brito Foundation and our ESOL, computer and Spanish classes, ongoing food distribution, collaboration with community partners like Gaithersburg Beloved Community, Linkages to Learning, Rosemont and Forest Oak schools, Mujer Fuerza y Coraje, Helping Children Worldwide, and targeted community outreach and invitation events like Pumpkin Fest, Easter Egg Hunt, Soccer Clinic, and more. 

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Thank you for your continued support of our beloved community and to the work we are called to do here. 

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In Christ, 

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Pastor Jennifer Fenner

EUMC Lead Pastor