Ten Ways to Encourage Catch-Up Giving with Grace and Gratitude

For almost forty-five years in ministry, I have advocated for quarterly giving statements. Unfortunately, too many quarterly statements come to donors looking like bills, and they don’t include an expression of gratitude for the generosity of church members. If you don’t include a “thank you” in a quarterly statement, you miss an important opportunity to kindle even greater generosity.

Year-end is a natural time for reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment. For church leaders, it’s also an opportunity to gently encourage members to catch up on their giving if they’ve fallen behind. Finding the right wording can be a struggle in a busy season. These ten short messages are designed to help pastors, finance committees, and stewardship leaders express appreciation while extending a pastoral and invitational tone. Each can be adapted for newsletters, giving statement inserts, or end-of-year communications. Use them as-is or personalize them to fit your congregation’s voice and setting. As I remind folks in almost every one of my workshops and webinars, “You are the context expert for your church!

1. Finishing the Year in Gratitude

Best for December newsletters or year-end statements.

As this year draws to a close, we pause to give thanks for your faithful generosity. Every gift has helped our church live out its mission — worshiping God, serving neighbors, and growing disciples. Your giving makes ministry possible, from the lights in the sanctuary to the lives touched in our community.

If you find you’ve fallen a bit behind on your giving this year, there’s still time to catch up. A year-end gift, whether large or small, helps your church finish strong and start the new year on a solid footing. Most of all, it’s an act of gratitude — a way of saying “thank you” to God for blessings received.

Together, we are the body of Christ, and every offering — every dollar, every prayer, every act of service — strengthens our shared witness.

2. Closing the Gap, Opening New Possibilities

Ideal for inclusion in quarterly giving statements or January communications.

Every year, churches face moments when giving and ministry don’t perfectly align, but the good news is that God always provides through faithful people like you. As we review our ministry year, we’re deeply grateful for your generosity, which has sustained worship, outreach, and care for our community.

If you find that your giving hasn’t quite matched your intentions this year, we invite you to consider a “catch-up” gift. Your contribution, no matter the size, helps close the gap and opens new possibilities for mission and ministry in the coming year.

John Wesley taught that generosity is both a means of grace and a fruit of faith. When we give, we participate in God’s work of transforming lives — including our own.

3. A Strong Finish for a Faithful Year

Best for mid-December bulletins or year-end email reminders.

Our church has been richly blessed this year — by your prayers, your presence, your service, your witness, and your gifts. Because of your generosity, we’ve celebrated lives changed, children nurtured, and hope renewed in our community.

As the year ends, we hope to finish strong in our financial stewardship. If you are able, consider an additional or catch-up gift to help us close the year on a firm footing. Your faithful support allows us to enter the new year ready to serve with confidence and compassion.

Every dollar given is a testimony of trust — trust in God’s abundance and in the mission we share together.

4. Grace That Sustains, Generosity That Multiplies

Suitable for both year-end or mid-year appeals when giving has lagged.

The story of our church is one of grace upon grace — and generosity that multiplies. We are so grateful for each gift you’ve shared this year, enabling ministry that changes lives and deepens faith.

If you’ve not been able to give as much as you had hoped, or if you’d like to do something extra before the year ends, we invite you to prayerfully consider a special gift. Every contribution matters; together, they make a profound difference.

As Methodists, we believe grace is always at work — shaping us, stretching us, and calling us to generosity that reflects the heart of Christ.

5. Partners in Ministry, Together in Hope

Best for quarterly statements or thank-you letters.

Thank you for your faithfulness in giving! Your generosity sustains everything from worship and pastoral care to outreach ministries that embody Christ’s love in our community and around the world.

If you find you’re a little behind in your intended giving, now is a wonderful time to catch up and help us continue this good work. Every gift makes a difference. When we each do what we can, together we do more than we ever imagined.

The apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians that “God loves a cheerful giver” — not because of the amount given, but because generosity connects us to God’s joy.

6. A Season for Gratitude and Grace

Best for Advent newsletters or Christmas Eve bulletins.

Advent invites us to reflect on God’s greatest gift — love made flesh in Jesus Christ. In that spirit of giving, we pause to thank you for your generosity throughout the year. You’ve helped shine Christ’s light through worship, compassion, and service.

As we near the year’s end, we invite you to consider an additional or catch-up gift to help our congregation finish the year strong. Your support ensures that our ministries of love and grace continue into the new year.

Thank you for being part of a church that embodies God’s hope. Your giving is a reflection of your faith — and it is transforming lives.

7. Catching Up to What God Is Doing

Flexible for mid-year or year-end giving messages.

Sometimes our giving statements reveal what we already know in our hearts: life’s pace can get ahead of our good intentions. If you find yourself behind on your giving this year, you’re not alone!

But here’s the grace in it: we can always catch up to what God is doing. A special or catch-up gift this month can help our church keep pace with the Spirit’s work among us — supporting worship, mission, and ministries that share God’s love every day.

We’re grateful for all you’ve already given and for the faith that inspires every gift. Together, we’re part of a story much larger than ourselves: the story of God’s transforming generosity.

8. Keeping Our Mission Moving Forward

Best for January or early spring statements when year-end shortfalls linger.

Thanks to your giving, our church continues to be a beacon of light and service in this community. Your generosity keeps our mission moving — from local outreach to global partnerships.

As we begin this new year, we want to close any remaining gaps from last year’s budget so we can move confidently into the months ahead. If you are able, an extra or catch-up gift this month will make a real difference.

Your faithful giving is an expression of your discipleship and love for Christ’s church. Thank you for helping ensure our ministries have the strong foundation they need to thrive.

9. A Faithful Response to God’s Blessings

Ideal for use in both year-end and quarterly statements.

Gratitude is the heartbeat of generosity. We give because we’ve been blessed — and your giving this year has blessed so many through our church’s ministries. Thank you!

If you’ve fallen a bit behind on your giving or would like to make an additional gift before the year ends, your support will help us meet our commitments and continue to serve faithfully.

As United Methodists, we believe that giving isn’t about obligation but response — our faithful response to God’s abundant grace. Thank you for responding with love, gratitude, and generosity that changes lives.

10. The Joy of Finishing Well

Best for end-of-year communications, particularly December letters or emails.

In every season, God invites us to finish well — not just to complete a task, but to complete it with joy and faithfulness. As we close this year, we are deeply thankful for all that your giving has made possible: worship, discipleship, outreach, and connection.

If you find your giving has fallen behind your intentions, your year-end gift can help us finish the year strong and begin the next with confidence. Every gift, no matter the size, helps our church continue sharing Christ’s love in tangible ways.

Thank you for walking this journey of generosity and faith. Together, we are finishing well — and starting anew — in the grace of God.

Please feel completely free and empowered to make these your own and share the messages with your congregation. I hope you see the blessings come back to your church! 

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