Stress. Anxiety. Fear. These words capture well the state of mind of many of us in America today. We have witnessed dramatic market losses, the collapse of the world’s largest insurance company, and many bankruptcies and mergers. Every day seems to bring another piece of economic uncertainty.

A recent survey found that over three in four Americans are stressed about the economy and their personal finances. Half were worried about providing for their family’s basic needs. Over half of respondents reported feeling angry and irritable, and reported lying awake at night worried about this. The report concludes that, “The declining state of the nation’s economy is taking a physical and emotional toll on people nationwide.”

Join us at Lake Cities United Methodist Church the next 4 weeks for a lesson series entitled Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity. Our nation is experiencing what many have described as the “American Nightmare.” Increasing consumer debt (including credit card debt, auto loans, etc), declines in savings accounts, lower income growth, and a volatile stock market are all a part of our economic insecurity. We have lived in a society that tells us “you deserve it now,” whether or not we can afford it or really even need it. 

During this time we will explore what the Bible teaches us about financial management.  We’ll hear expert advice and stories about what others have learned by working through financial challenges. Each week we will provide you with some practical tools you can use to assess your financial situation and develop a financial plan with a biblical foundation.  We will learn how to win back the Joy through Simplicity and Generosity!

Lake Cities United Methodist Church invites all in our community to join us for this important lesson series.  Please join us and invite your friends to learn about truly experiencing simplicity, generosity, and JOY.

Small Groups Forming

If you would like to join a small group that will be studying the lessons in more depth on these same Sundays, click the button below to register to Join a Small Group Study.  Anyone wishing to order the study materials for the "Enough" series for any small group, or any individual, may do so from Cokesbury at a 37% discount!  

Join Small Group Study on Enough Series

Some of the principles that will be discussed are:

• what the Bible says about debt and wealth
• getting out of debt
• how to get out of credit card debt
• using the debt snowball to get out of debt
• which debt to pay off first
• how to build financial wealth
• how to obtain financial freedom
• the basics of the Dave Ramsey financial plan

"Enough" Calendar:

10/16/2011 Lesson 1: When Dreams Become Nightmares

10/23/2011 Lesson 2: Wisdom and Finance

10/30/2011 Lesson 3: Cultivating Contentment

11/6/2011 Lesson 4: Defined by Generosity

Celebration Sunday Potluck after 11am service - All are invited!

Members, please bring a dish according to the first letter of your last name:

A-L: Entree

M-S: Salad or Side Dish

T-Z: Desert