December 12, 2021
Dear Live Oak Church Members and Friends of the Church,
Thank you for being a partner in the ministry of Live Oak Church! Your on-going financial contributions are making a difference in the lives of many people. While receiving your own unconditional welcome at the Table you have discovered the joy of giving in faithful response to the love of God.
Right now, your contributions are especially needed at Live Oak Church. As you may or may not know, worship attendance and financial contributions were significantly lower in 2021 due to several factors, including the departure of our founding pastor and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even with a $20,088.17 grant during the past year, total income to date for 2021 is $138,982.37 against total expenditures of $190,409.71, resulting in expenditures exceeding receipts by - $51,427.34. For example, in November, we received $10,230 in contributions with $18,557 in expenses. This shortfall has necessitated utilizing most of the church’s cash reserves which comes to $50,000.00.
The most current numbers are:
· The church checking balance is currently $13,213.57.
· The expected expenses for the remainder of the month are $16,157.31.
· The expected recurring donations for the remainder of the month is $3,500.00.
WITHOUT ADDITIONAL DONATIONS:
· The church will likely start the year with approximately $25,000.
· The projected January recurring donations are $5,837.
· The projected recurring January expenses are $19,000 plus $5,000 moving reimbursement.
· The projected 1/31/22 bank balance would be $6,837.
With these projections, I am concerned about our ability to fund payroll as early as February 2022. If the current trend continues, Live Oak Church will run out of money by the spring of 2022. Unless contributions and offerings increase significantly, the church will need to make drastic cuts to the 2021 - 2022 budget to reign in expenses.
The practice of generosity is a faith discipline. It is the mark of a growing faith and deeper walk with Christ. My wife D’Anna and I decided to come to Live Oak Church because we believe that all of you are committed to being genuine and faithful disciples of Jesus Christ – seeking to be fed spiritually and to actively engage the world where its deepest needs meet our abilities (with God’s help) to share the Gospel message.
We know that not everyone will be able to give in response to what they have received and that these difficult financial times present a challenge to some families. We also believe in God’s abundance and our ability to provide the resources that will empower our church to move forward and do even greater things. We thank you for your part in this life changing work.
Blessings and Peace,
Rev. Scott D. Nowack and the Session of Live Oak Church
Ways to Give
Online Giving
If you are making a recurring contribution through our website, we thank you for your consistent support. Would you consider increasing what you give in 2022? Go to our website, https://liveoakchurch.churchcenter.com/giving, and click on the “Giving” button in the heading. Follow the instructions on how you can give a one-time contribution or a recurring contribution of yourself to God in faithfulness and love.
Stock Donations
If you have considered donating stock for a one-time gift, when you donate stocks which have appreciated in value, you avoid paying tax on the appreciation of the stock but receive the benefit of a charitable deduction for the full amount of the appreciated stock. You can consult your tax accountant for further explanation about the benefit. The church has a brokerage account at Fidelity Brokerage for receiving the stock donation. You can contact the Treasurer at treasurer@liveoak-church.org for instructions.
Expanded tax benefits for cash contributions
The law now permits taxpayers to claim a limited deduction on their 2021 federal income tax returns for cash contributions to qualifying charitable organizations even if they don't itemize their deductions. Individual taxpayers, including married individuals filing separate returns, can claim a deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions to qualifying charities during 2021; for married individuals filing joint returns the maximum deduction is $600. The donation must be received by December 31, 2021.