ABIGAIL CIRCLE (15 members) met on Dec. 11 at the Knudsens’ home for a wonderful Christmas meal. Donated to the Children’s School Clothing Bank was $25 plus 275 pairs of children’s socks and underwear, a girl’s sweater and mittens, caps, and scarves. They will meet in the parlor on Tuesday, January 8, at 7:00 p.m. Ellie Harris will serve as hostess and Jeanne Gamble will lead the worship and study.

New Year's resolution
Consider committing to a biblical solution
Your promises are easily broken
Empty words, though earnestly spoken
But God's Word transforms the soul
By His Holy Spirit making you whole
As you spend time alone with Him
He will change you from within

-- Mary Fairchild

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Michael Johnson (picture unavailable earlier) joined NACC on Dec. 2, transferring from Seminole Baptist Church. He lives at 1703 E. Lark, 65804 (883-2333).

You Can Make A Gift

Would you like to make a gift to your church and receive an income for life? And not only get an income tax deduction for part of your gift, but get a portion of each payment tax-free? Creating a charitable gift annuity can do that while furthering the ministry of Jesus Christ far into the future.

A charitable gift annuity is a contract between a donor and a charity in which the donor receives a guaranteed fixed rate of return for life pursuant to making an irrevocable lump sum gift. The older the annuitant, the higher the percentage return. Annuities can cover one life or two, and are not limited to husband and wife. Gift annuities are designed to pay about fifty percent to the charity at maturity, but in fact, most have paid about eighty percent in recent years. Return rates are suggest by the American Council on Gift Annuities.

When you take out a charitable gift annuity through the Christian Church Foundation, you will decide which Disciples-related institutions -- a specific congregation, region, NBA-related facility, college or seminary, or general unit of the Christian Church -- will be the beneficiary of the funds upon the death of the annuitant. Or, if you prefer, the Foundation can establish a permanent named fund with distributions in perpetuity to benefit your favorite Disciples causes.

To learn more about gift annuities, contact the Christian Church Foundation at 800/668-8016. The Foundation has trained staff members who can show how your planned gifts can make a difference forever.

The Habitat for Humanity Re-STORE is a building materials recycling/reuse center that accepts donations of new and used building materials and fixtures from a variety of sources (individuals and business alike) and sells these items to the public at bargain prices. They have some of the best prices around for your remodeling and building projects. The Re-STORE acts as a financial partner in the construction of new Habitat homes, provides useable materials for the construction of new Habitat homes and provides low cost materials to homeowners to further neighborhood revitalization. The Re-STORE also provides a variety of opportunities for meaningful and rewarding volunteer involvement such as delivery drivers, inventory-takers, pricers, cashiers, and more. The store is located at 2410 S. Scenic Avenue in Springfield. The hours are Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The phone number is 829-4001 and the fax number is 829-4003.

CONGRATULATIONS . . . to Burton Guion for winning the first annual "Disciples" fantasy football league.

To ensure your church contributions are tax deductible, do not file your 2007 income tax return until you have picked up your written acknowledgment of your contribution to the church. They are on a table in the hallway outside the church office. Some of your contributions may not be tax deductible if you file your tax return before receiving this written acknowledgment.

The NACC mission trip to Mississippi was a success and Dennis Erfling, Neil Guion, Scott Sauer and Scott Zimmerman all returned safely. If you would like to see pictures of their trip, you can go to www.newhomenewhope.com .