Finances & Stewardship

First Presbyterian Church is a not-for-profit corporation, completely dependent on the gifts of members and supporters. Our ministry is sustained by weekly voluntary offerings received in our worship services. There are no dues required of members, no payments demanded for attending worship or participating in church activities.

The church presents its financial needs once per year, in January, requesting pledges or estimates of giving for the next calendar year. Pledges are not a debt or legal obligation; they are a promise before the Lord to give a certain amount or percentage of income as He may bless you.

Offering envelopes are provided every year for each church family in order to guarantee confidentiality and the proper accounting for each contribution. Members are strongly encouraged to utilize these envelopes (and, especially, to complete the front portion) whenever they make donations to First Church.

The church’s books are completely open to all interested members. Each February at the annual meeting, a full accounting is given of how each dollar is used, listing salaries, utility expenses, missions giving and program expenses.

If you wish to make a pledge to First Presbyterian Church, or have any questions about the church’s budget, financial procedures or your own giving receipts, please contact the accounting staff in the church office.

Capital Campaign: Securing Our Future

Future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn. Psalm 22:30-31

In 2007, the Session (governing board) of First Presbyterian Church approved a 3-year Capital Campaign with a goal of raising $3.7 million. The purposes of this campaign are three-fold:
• Pay off the remaining mortgage (approximately $2.5 million as of September 2007) from the Sanctuary building project/land acquisition
• Renovate and expand portions of the church facilities
• Provide for ongoing maintenance and repairs

The Elders believe a successful campaign will put the church on a solid financial foundation for the years ahead.

Members and friends of First Presbyterian Church are invited to participate in this campaign.
• Consider making a gift or pledge to the future of First Church; gifts may be given at one time or spread over a 3-year period (2007-2009).
• Gifts may be in the form of cash, stock or other securities, or as a tangible gift that the church can liquidate (e.g., an automobile, boat, real estate or jewelry).
• Consider including the church in your will or estate planning; a bequest, charitable trust or other form of deferred giving can assist your family in tax planning and can also provide further support for the work of First Church after your lifetime.

The church office can provide you with more information about this campaign. In addition to the campaign brochure (An Opportunity to Secure Our Future), copies of the Strategic Plan for 2007-2009, which further outlines the church's vision and direction, are also available upon request. To discuss a contribution to the campaign, call the church office to speak with Director of Development Tom Schreck or Senior Pastor Doug Pratt.

Endowments

The church’s Fiscal Stewardship Committee oversees a sub-committee dedicated to building the Church’s endowment fund, first established in 1990. Endowment gifts are received from members and friends of the congregation, either through direct contributions or through estate gifts. All endowment funds are carefully managed to preserve and grow the principal. A fixed amount of income is used each year for the support of church ministries.

In addition to supporting the work of their church throughout their lifetimes, Christians have a wonderful opportunity to provide for the ongoing work of God’s Kingdom after they are gone, through wise estate planning. A wide variety of options for giving are available, with various tax benefits. Careful estate planning can help our children and heirs by reducing their tax burdens, as well as providing a permanent legacy of our faith and commitment. The Endowment Committee has made available an assortment of printed materials to inform you about planned giving; these can be found in the literature racks in the Narthex. For those wishing to discuss their options personally, contact Director of Development Tom Schreck through the church office.

Stock Gifts

First Presbyterian Church will accept contributions in the form of donated stock. It is advisable to complete the church's Stock Donation Form to ensure that your valued donation is credited to the correct account. To obtain a form, contact in the church office (239-992-3233).

The church strives to liquidate stock as soon as it becomes available in the church’s stock account, set up for this purpose. Transfers may take brokerage firms up to 48 hours to complete. In the case of actual stock certificate liquidation, it may take up to one week to complete the transaction and liquidate the stock. Please note that the church is not permitted to value stock. Therefore, the value of the stock contribution that is reflected on your statement and posted against your pledge will be the actual amount of the proceeds received by the church after liquidation. Your stockbroker will provide you with documentation of the average of the high and low market price on the date the securities are actually transferred. For tax purposes, your contribution may be calculated at a higher rate by your tax accountant than the amount that appears on your church statement. Broker information is the documentation that supersedes the church statement and should be used for filing your returns.

Note

Please emphasize to your broker the importance of including your name on the transfer information so that we may (1) identify you as the donor and (2) ensure the transaction is properly reflected on your church contribution statement. Also, unless instructions indicate otherwise, all contributions will be posted to support the ministries and operations of the church through the General Fund.