End-of-Year Stewardship Campaign

November 15 – December 31
Goal: $600,000

A Wide Generosity and Our Annual Gifts of Christmas Offering

As we enter the season of Advent, the days grow shorter and the nights grow long. Our own church year moves in a similar rhythm, through seasons of steady giving followed by a season that is shorter, yet wide in its generosity and impact. Our end-of-year Gifts of Christmas offering continues to be a season of sacrificial giving that is fundamental to the financial health of our church family. Every gift made through the offering plate, online, or by gifts of stock received from November 15 through December 31 is needed to make our goal.

There is much to celebrate at Smoke Rise as we prayerfully consider our end-of-year gifts for God’s work through Smoke Rise. Together, we continue to see God at work through the addition of new members, expanded ministries, and meaningful impact in our community and abroad. In this season of waiting through shorter days, the longer arc of our ministry and mission reach is strengthened each year.

Even as we live in the abundant fellowship and growth we are experiencing as a family of faith, we are committed to remain transparent and prudent in our financial stewardship. Our goal last year was $600,000—a goal we met and exceeded. This year, our goal remains $600,000. To cover our expenses, we need to meet and surpass this goal as we did last year and as we have done for many years past. Through the end of September 2026, our giving trails our expenses by a deficit amount of $178,426.36.  

We invite members, associate members and all who are united with us in faith, fellowship and ministry to bring our very best to the Gifts of Christmas offering. Every gift, large or small, makes a great impact.

We remain committed to fiscal discipline and financial responsibility, working within our approved ministry plan carefully managed month by month. Looking ahead, our finance committee and staff are already preparing next year’s budget. Because we continue to have strong giving to our annual Gifts of Christmas Offering, along with consistent and committed month-to-month giving throughout the church year, our fellowship and ministry reach is abundant. We will continue to budget with vision and prudence based on the commitment of our church family to faithfully give.

There is an old, familiar pattern in the turning of the seasons: a time of contraction before a time of expansion, a season of rest before a season of growth. Our best days are not behind us, but in front of us, taking shape even now in the dark, when we generously share our treasures, time and talents.

Thank you, Smoke Rise family of faith, for your generosity and commitment to God’s good work among us.

– Bart McNiel, Associate Pastor

End-of-Year Hospitality Station

This year on Thursday, December 31, we will host our End-of-Year Hospitality Station as a drive-up event. We invite everyone who has given to support our budgeted ministry plan to arrive between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm at our sanctuary portico for hot chocolate or coffee and to pick up a sweet goodie bag. You may also drop off any last-minute gifts in support of our goal on this day. Our volunteers will be sure your gift is immediately delivered to our finance office for timely processing in this calendar year.

If you are delivering a gift to post in the 2026 tax year, the church finance office must receive your gift no later than Monday, January 4, for your gift to be credited in this tax year. You may drive up and place end-of-year gifts in the secure portico mailbox at any time before that date.

If you are planning to transfer stock to the church as a tithe or offering, we encourage you or your broker to finalize the transfer before December 30 and to email our finance manager, Fe Williams, at financeoffice@smokerisebaptist.org on or before the date of your transfer, so that the details of the transfer can be confirmed and the appropriate amount posted to your giving statement in this tax year.