To Our Faith Families: A Church should always reflect the faithfulness of God!

As God gave Israel strength to “display His faithfulness,” so a church should never see its success through the lens of its own capabilities. Moses’ success advertised God. Joshua’s success at Jericho came with the shout: “The Lord has

given you the victory!” David’s success was an advertisement of the “Good Shepherd.” Paul’s success resonated with the words: “Thanks be to God, who

gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

If what we do in our worship, in our service to others, in our giving —fails to focus on the greatness of our God—then we’re merely a “religious institution.” How we conduct ourselves on and beyond this

18.8 acres of His land speaks volumes of whether or not we’re a walking advertisement of our Mission Statement which reads:

we exist to extend the love and care of the crucified and risen christ to all people.

In my 40 years here at Faith this marks our sixth campaign. I have seen miraculous things!

From vacant land to the building of three sanctuaries. From seven families who began walking together to thousands who call this

their church home. From expansions in ministry to that of buildings and parking lots.

Ordinary people have been called to be a part of extraordinary blessings! Amazed by God’s grace we’re “walking together by faith” in a capital campaign for the next three years that reinforces our vision of:

bringing christ to people and building christ followers. It’s a walk like every other one we’ve taken since December 1965. We’ll do it together. We’ll do it by faith. And we’ll do it as an advertisement of God’s faithfulness! I pray you’ll read the information in this package, watch the DVD and use the Prayer Guide as we “walk beyond 18.8” by His might. . . His power. . . and His Spirit. Walking together with you, Warren Arndt Senior Pastor

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a message from

Warren Arndt

BEYOND 18.8 will be such a walk! And why? Because it’s accompanied by His promise. . . “I will walk with you!” Imagine the possibilities. . . the lives we have yet to touch, the immeasurably more that God desires to give, and the legacy yet to be left by the sacrifices and decisions we make over the next three years. No walk is without effort— physically, individually, congregationally, and especially spiritually.

Satan tempts us to sit, stop, or stay content with where we are. The Christian life, however, is often referenced as a “walk.” It involves movement and steps of faith! Scripture says. . .

“Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. Walk differently than the world. Walk wisely. Walk by faith not by sight.” (Ephesians 4:1, 4:17, 5:15;

2 Corinthians 5:7)

The direction of our walk—the definition we give it, and its description—speak volumes as

to how serious we are in honoring God and serving people. Today’s ministry and facilities reflect decisions, choices and sacrifices of those who have walked before us. Many of you are counted in that number. Commitments were made, steps were taken, obstacles were overcome, and campaigns were successful because we were. . .

“walking together by faith.”

The Vision To Walk Together by Faith

as We Honor God and Bless People.

The Purpose & Plan

Land Development: build several sports fields and a picnic pavilion with restroom facilities for our growing Sports Academy outreach ministry. Project includes house removal, land clearing, and underground utilities, and a maintenance and storage building which will allow us to expand our Food Pantry and Car Care Ministries.

Worship Center & Lobby Updates: replace carpeting, install new sound and monitor boards.

Kitchen Renovations: to better serve our adult and senior ministries and various church events.

Student Center Expansion: to better provide ministry to all students and young adults.

Safety Updates: replace fire and emergency system for our entire facility.

Facility Updates: restrooms, and ceiling and lighting in older sections of our building.

Parking Lot: major repairs on significantly deteriorated areas.

To Build What God Is Ready to Bless and

To Take Care of What He Has Already Given.

The BEYOND 18.8 campaign will be our opportunity to “walk together by faith.” It’s a step into our future—a three-year giving program allowing us the needed funds for the projects listed. Total estimated cost of these projects is $2.3 million. The period of commitment is from June 2013 through May 2016. Pledges made should

be over and above your regular weekly giving which supports the day-to-day operations of our church.

All previous campaigns have demonstrated our “walk by faith.” We trust in Jesus’ teaching that commitments are not to be based on equal amounts of money given, but rather on equal sacrifice.

The Cost Sacrifice is Giving Up Something You Love

For Someone and Something You Love More.

The Commitment

Equal sacrifice. . . not equal gifts. The need for all of us to be involved becomes evident when we begin to think about what it will require to develop land, and renovate our current facility. This project is too great for just a few families or individuals. We need the support and commitment of everyone in order to achieve the goal and dream of leaving a legacy for our children and future generations here at Faith. The “Beyond 18.8” DVD, Prayer Guide and Commitment Card are included with this package. “Beyond 18.8” budget envelopes will be mailed to your home in June.

1. Determine God’s Will Determine the commitment that God is leading you to make during this campaign by meeting as a family (if applicable), or with an accountability partner between Sunday, April 28 and Sunday, May 5. Use the Prayer Guide to help you respond to God’s goodness as you prayerfully seek His guidance.

2. Fill Out Your Commitment Card Use, as a guide, the giving chart on your commitment card. Write down the amount of your faith commitment. The giving period is over the next 36 months, starting June 2013 through May of 2016.

3. Bring Your Card on Commitment Weekend—May 4/5 As an act of worship, bring your commitment card to this weekend service. If you cannot attend, please mail or drop off your card to the Church Office by Thursday, May 2 so it can be included during Commitment Weekend.

Ways to Give

Give a 36 Month Commitment

You can give far more when it’s spread out over time. The Bible teaches that your faith and spiritual maturity develop through the habit of consistent, weekly giving. We all know what it’s like to be committed to monthly payments for things such as a mortgage, an apartment rental or a car payment. You can make giving to “Beyond 18.8” a monthly commitment to God. You may also choose to give weekly, annually, or in a lump

sum. Make your decision based on God’s will and the best method for you. Automatic withdrawal is available and encouraged. It’s a convenient way to give.

Give a Gift of Assets

You can give real estate, stocks, bonds, coins, gold, cars, boats, etc. This is a great way to leverage your giving and directly impact the work of the church and take full advantage of the available tax benefits.

Give a Gift in Kind

If you own a business or have skills that can assist us throughout the renovation process, you may be able to donate to the church and possibly benefit from tax advantages through your gifts while lowering our overall costs.

For information or details on automatic withdrawal, available tax benefits, and how to give a “Gift of Assets” or a “Gift in Kind”, please

contact Joe Casiglia, Executive Pastor, at 248-689-4664 x 248 or at

jcasiglia@faithtroy.org.

Faith Lutheran Church ■ 37635 Dequindre Road ■ Troy, MI

248.689.4664 ■ faithtroy.org

Dates to Remember April 28: May 3: Prayer Week May 4/5: Commitment Weekend May 11/12: Celebration Weekend

“If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken

together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or

small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you.” Luke 6:38 (NLT)