IRS Sets 2009 Mileage Rate at 55 Cents

IRS Announces 2009 Standard Mileage Rates

IR-2008-131, Nov. 24, 2008

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2009 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2009, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

55 cents per mile for business miles driven
24 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

The new rates for business, medical and moving purposes are slightly lower than rates for the second half of 2008 that were raised by a special adjustment mid-year in response to a spike in gasoline prices. The rate for charitable purposes is set by law and is unchanged from 2008.

The business mileage rate was 50.5 cents in the first half of 2008 and 58.5 cents in the second half. The medical and moving rate was 19 cents in the first half and 27 cents in the second half.

The mileage rates for 2009 reflect generally higher transportation costs compared to a year ago, but the rates also factor in the recent reversal of rising gasoline prices. While gasoline is a significant factor in the mileage rate, other fixed and variable costs, such as depreciation, enter the calculation.

The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs as determined by the same study. Independent contractor Runzheimer International conducted the study.

Pike Brethren Seeks a Youth Pastor

From Pastor Rick Clark:

Pike Grace Brethren Church in Johnstown, PA, is looking for a full-time Youth Pastor whose primary responsibility is to lead our 7th-12 grade students to know God, grow to be like Jesus, and show God's love through service and outreach.

We have 45-50 teens on a regular basis in our Wednesday night ministry with a potential for more and six adults who serve as youth leaders. There is a mixture of unchurched teens from the community, church teens from public schools and church teens from our Christian School.

We have a pre-school through 12th grade Christian school called Cambria County Christian School. We also own a 10-acre campground and have a full-size gym and teen room in our recently-built Pike Family Center.

Salary and benefits are included. Please send your resume to Search Committee, Pike Grace Brethren Church, 541 Pike Rd, Johnstown PA 15909 or email to clarkrickdr@comcast.net.

If you would like a detailed job description or more information about the ministry please call the church 814-749-8721 or send an email.

Mammas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Pastors

Richard Bell Health Update

Richard Bell, pastor of Apple Valley Community Church, a Grace Brethren church in Winchester, Virginia, has been battling a particularly virulent form of lymphona. Here is a current update from Richard so you know how to offer informed prayers on behalf of Richard and Nancy:

I was in the hospital last week for three days of chemotherapy. This was the first of this particular type of treatment--there will be several more. In the e-mail in July I projected that I would get about 4 and 1/2 months before the cancer started growing again; it started growing again in 6 weeks.

We went six weeks before starting the current treatment--the weather was nice and I was feeling great. Then I came down with a viral infection , another two week delay; after that I had skin cancer removed, another 10-day delay. This type of treatment uses different chemicals--ones I have never had before. I will probably have the second round in mid-December.

My oncologist has said that I am "amazing," "tough as nails," and "beyond explanation," due to the way I have handled the chemotherapy.

Nancy and I are doing well in the circumstances. We are neither depressed or discouraged about the situation. I am still resting on Habakkuk 3:17-19.

Thanks for you prayers,
Richard

P.S. This type of cancer, "Mantle Cell Lymphoma," was listed on the Social Security Administrations list of the top 50 diseases in which medical disability will be automatically approved within one week of applying. I guess you could say it is nice to be on the top 50 of something. If I had my way, I would have chosen a different top 50 list!

Pottstown Homeless Ministry Hits Zoning Snag

Kork Moyer's efforts in Pottstown, PA, to help provide some emergency lodging for the homeless have run into a snag over the interpretation of zoning regulations.

To read and view a local TV station's report on the story, click here. Kork would appreciate prayers for a satisfactory resolution to enable local churches to provide emergency shelter to those who need it.

Dave Pacheco Joins Delaware Staff

Delaware, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church is thrilled to announce the arrival of new youth pastor, Dave Pacheco. Dave, Esther, Alex (2) and Eli (3 months) come to Delaware from Aurora, Illinois, where Dave was on staff at Wheaton Academy.

Dave grew up in Winona Lake, Indiana, GBC, and attended Grace College. Esther grew up attending Ellet (Akron) GBC and doing a master's degree at Grace as well. Dave began his ministry in Delaware by leading Delaware’s annual youth retreat to Lakeside in September. Dave and Delaware Pastor Gary Underwood have known each other since their early days at Grace College.

Seal Beach's New Missionary to the U.S. Army

Captain John Arnoldbik was ordained to the Christian ministry on September 28 at Grace Community Church, a Grace Brethren church in Seal Beach, Calif. His ordination was approved by the church's board of elders subject to his successful completion of written and oral examinations before a committee, which he passed successfully.

John has been accepted into the regular Army chaplaincy program. School begins on January 4, 2009 in Fort Jackson, S.C.

Pray for John and his wife, Jensen, as they endeavor to serve God and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces