The Increase Offering is our new once a year - end of the year - opportunity to increase our impact through our church in our church, the communities around us, and throughout the world. Our intention is for this offering to take the place of and expand on our usual Christmas Mission Offering and to provide funding to accelerate three specific lanes of impact: +Life Local and Global Compassion and Missions, Who’s Next Initiatives, and Gospel Expansion. God’s plan is for His kingdom, and thus the church, to thrive and grow and impact the world around us. Increase is in our DNA. Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like a seed planted in the ground that grows to become the largest plant in the garden. (Mark 4:26-32) The early Christian Church exploded with growth and preached the Good News about Jesus far and wide. In the Book of Acts we are told that “the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.” (Acts 19:20). The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians that he planted the seed of the Gospel in Corinth, that someone else watered it and that “God gave the increase.”(1 Corinthians 3:6-7) We are supposed to care about increase and engage in efforts that give God something to grow. Our regular tithes and offerings provide what we need to do the things we are already doing and maybe a little bit more. My prayer is that this offering will allow us to accelerate what we are doing and to do a whole lot more. I feel very strongly that this is a season for us to pour fuel on all of our efforts to share the Gospel and do more good in this world. We need to spread God’s love in ever-widening circles. Will you join me in this great cause? On Sunday, November 22, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, we are going to host a giving celebration in each of our services. On this day we will give everyone who is a part of TLCC the opportunity to make a generous Increase Offering pledge to be kept by December 31 of this year. I am praying that every one of us will enthusiastically participate in generous faith in this once a year giving opportunity. I have three simple asks for each one of us: Will you read and listen to our Increase Vision? Will you begin to pray about what a generous faith-filled end-of-year gift would look like for you? And would you commit to give whatever you feel God inspires you to step out in faith and generously give? And my prayer for you is that you will see an increase of good in and through your life in every possible way. May this be a season of increased blessing for every person who is a part of this wonderful church family. For Increase! Pastor Terry