eLink News

This Week:

• January 10- 1:30 PM Evangelism Committee, Presbytery Office
  3:15 PM Nominating Committee, Presbytery Office
• January 12- 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM LeaderFest, Westminster College
• January 15- 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Neshannock, NW

Meet Leisa Wagstaff – New Missionary in South Sudan

Meet Leisa Wagstaff this evening:

• Wednesday, January 9 @ 7 PM at Northminster Church in New Castle

Leisa has been serving in Cameroon, but will be moving to South Sudan this summer.  You can learn more here: www.pcusa.org/leisa~wagstaff.

LeaderFest is Saturday, January 12, 2013!

Registration begins at 8:30 AM at Orr Auditorium at Westminster College, followed by worship with Word Centered Fellowship, and then two sets of seminars.  There are seminars on evagnelism, sesminars with Rev. Angel DeLaCruz and Rev. Jason Santos, and a Clerk seminar with Rev. Amy Na.  We close with lunch at 1 PM.  Cost is $15 for registrations.  Registration is easy!  Ask your pastor or church secretary for a copy of the brochure, click on the red LeaderFest button on the Presbytery website (shenango.org), or just CLICK HERE!

Warning to Church Treasurers

The IRS disallowed a charitable contribution deduction made by a couple to their local church. The taxpayers took the case to Tax Court who sided with the IRS. Here are the facts. All churches and nonprofit organizations must provide a properly completed contemporaneous written acknowledge for aggregate annual receipts in excess of $250. In this case, the taxpayers were provided with a receipt by the church. The issue at hand was that the receipt was deficient in that it did not include any indication, as required, that no goods or services were provided in consideration of the donation. The church reissued a new receipt stating that no goods or services were provided, which was rejected by the IRS and the Tax Court. According to the Tax Code the receipt must be contemporaneous. The only acceptable contemporaneous receipt under the Tax Code is the receipt the taxpayer has when the return is filed.  If your church’s annual contribution report to your members does not include this statement or similar wording:

In order to comply with the substantiation requirements of IRS Code Sec. 170(f)(8)(B), no goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution.

…then you are in jeopardy of causing a member’s tax deductible contribution to be disallowed!  [Thanks Bill McKnight, CPA at Trinity Church, Mercer]

Perspectives on the World Christian Movement

Learn to read your Bible in a whole new way.  Check out the Perspectives class THIS Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at Westminster College.  See if it’s something you’d like to take.  Hear Rev. Jen Haddox, Associate Director of World Mission Initiative, share about God’s purpose.  Watch a video about Perspectives at www.perspectives.org.

Winter Weekend 2013 — Friday, Feb 22nd thru Sunday, Feb 24th, 2013

Youth Groups are invited to join us once again at Seneca Hills Bible Camp for another great year of Winter Weekend.  Be challenged by our main speaker, local musician Jay Michael with worship led by Grove City based, Vince Anastasi and his family!  Be challenged by our workshop presenters and have a great time with some fun games and activities.  Check out our Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/events/457817690932198/ for upcoming information and contact Jason Dunn for registration and other questions, at 724-992-3693 orjasondunn@zoominternet.net.

News From The Churches

Organist/Eventual Choir Director Wanted

Shenango Presbyterian Church is looking for an organist who would eventually lead their choir.  This is a part-time position.  They are seeking a faithful musician who is excited about music and singing and church.  Please contact Amy Na at 724-654-2322.

Choir Director Wanted

Faith Presbyterian Church is still looking for a choir director.  If you are interested, or know of a musician who might be interested, please contact the church atoffice@faithpc.net or 724-962-4155.