Folks,
 
How are you doing with your Big Give beans and rice? I’m loving mine! I thought I’d lose some weight though J. I’m looking forward to another awesome time this Sunday.
 
As we progress through our Big Give series toward the climax on Dec 13, I wanted to share a couple of things about stewardship with you:

• The ministries of our church have responded to the current economic challenge by tightening their belts and spending at less than 90% of budget. This is a credit to our stewardship team, pastors and staff members who are closely watching their expenditures. At the same time, however, The MET has continued to fund our missions endeavors at 100% of budget. We believe God’s desire is that we continue to support the men, women and organizations who are doing His work in the field. I am truly proud that our church has maintained our commitment to these faithful servants in these challenging times.
• our Missions Ministry is also working to stretch the dollars you have given us as far as possible. One example: We procure many items from NAEIR, an organization that makes surplus products available to churches and non-profits for basically the cost of shipping and handling. We receive things like reading glasses, clothing, toiletries, office supplies, medical supplies, gift bags/wrap, Christmas store items, children’s books, etc. We distribute these products to our partners here in Houston and abroad. Here’s the bottom line – in the past year we have used $5769 of Big Give donations to procure $120,591 worth of products from NAEIR. This is nearly a 2000% return on your Big Give dollar!

 
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much …”
 
 
Service Opportunities
There are still opportunities in 2009 to do some Kingdom work …
 

• Emergency food drive: The local food pantries are running very low. They need everything, but especially canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned tomato products (whole, paste, sauce, etc.), canned soup and canned meat. This is a great time for your family or Life Group to do a mini-food drive. (Kudos to the Lamb School for their food drive this week!)
• Mission Greenspoint Christmas Store, Saturday, Dec. 12: Grady & Cindy Butler need volunteers to set up the store during the week of Dec 7-11 and to help with the tasks below on Saturday. If you can help, please call them at 281-872-1422 or email Maria at mflores@TheMETonline.org.

Registration
Childcare
Shopping Guides
Gift Wrappers
Gift table overseers
Hospitality
Tear down
Evangelism!

Note: If you speak Spanish you are extremely valuable to the Christmas Store!

• Habitat for Humanity MET Workday, Saturday, Dec 19: This will be the last work day of the year on our MET-sponsored home. We need 30 builders – no experience required!

 
For more information on any of the above email missions@TheMETonline.org.
 
 
Missions Ministry Planning Dates
 
Dec. 1 - ?            Student Ministry Cereal Drive for Boys & Girls Country
 
Dec. 4 - 5            Mission Centers of Houston - Christmas Stores

Dec. 12               Mission Greenspoint - Christmas Store

Dec. 13               Big Give Sunday at The MET!!
 
Dec. 19               Student Ministry service day
                            Boys & Girls Country

Dec. 19                Habitat Faith Build – 4th MET work day
                             Champions Forest Dr @ W. Richey Road
 
That’s all for now. Please remain …
 
In His joyful service,
 
Robin Tanner
Missions Coordinator