Night of Blessing

Sherri · #1 12-17-2009, 06:24 PM

Our church had a Night of Blessing last night. We had been promoting it at church for a couple of weeks, and it was so amazing. We asked everyone to bring gently worn coats/jackets to take to the Care Center in town. We also had a huge box to collect food items to take to RIFA here in town (helps those who are down and out). Those two boxes were both full and the coats were in a huge mountain, falling out of the box and piled up all around it.

We also took up an offering from out people to help those in our church who have needs at this time of year. We passed out cards and asked everyone to fill them out. If you didn't have a financial need, you were supposed to just write on there what you were thankful for and how you've been blessed. If you had a specific financial need, you were supposed to write the amount on the card and what it was for. That way everyone was writing, and no one knew who was in need. Eddie spoke for a while on "Why Christians Give".

We counted the offering today, and it was over $10,400!! We were able to write checks to 30 people in our own congregation who were in need, and mailed them out today. People received anywhere from $200 to $500, depending on the nature of the need. It was SO much fun! We are going to make it an annual event.

WBBJ (local ABC station) came last night and interviewed and videoed the
people and the boxes full of goodies. They also videoed a little of the worship service. It was on the 10 pm news last night, and was really a great segment about our church.

I'm so glad that God has blessed us to be a blessing!

Neck · #2 12-17-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherri

Our church had a Night of Blessing last night. We had been promoting it at church for a couple of weeks, and it was so amazing. We asked everyone to bring gently worn coats/jackets to take to the Care Center in town. We also had a huge box to collect food items to take to RIFA here in town (helps those who are down and out). Those two boxes were both full and the coats were in a huge mountain, falling out of the box and piled up all around it.

We also took up an offering from out people to help those in our church who have needs at this time of year. We passed out cards and asked everyone to fill them out. If you didn't have a financial need, you were supposed to just write on there what you were thankful for and how you've been blessed. If you had a specific financial need, you were supposed to write the amount on the card and what it was for. That way everyone was writing, and no one knew who was in need. Eddie spoke for a while on "Why Christians Give".

We counted the offering today, and it was over $10,400!! We were able to write checks to 30 people in our own congregation who were in need, and mailed them out today. People received anywhere from $200 to $500, depending on the nature of the need. It was SO much fun! We are going to make it an annual event.

WBBJ (local ABC station) came last night and interviewed and videoed the
people and the boxes full of goodies. They also videoed a little of the worship service. It was on the 10 pm news last night, and was really a great segment about our church.

I'm so glad that God has blessed us to be a blessing!

Sherri - I felt very happy ready your post thread! The Lord will do great things through the spirit of giving in this season. :O)

Sinatra · #3 12-17-2009, 06:36 PM

What a wonderful idea, Sherri! A great opportunity to bless those within the Church and without. Only God knows how many people's lives your church might reach because of this. May the Lord bless you all, for your willingness to give.

Sherri · #4 12-17-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinatra

What a wonderful idea, Sherri! A great opportunity to bless those within the Church and without. Only God knows how many people's lives your church might reach because of this. May the Lord bless you all, for your willingness to give.

Actually a man in our church had heard of another church who did the offering for needs within their own congregation. We just kind of took it and adapted it and ran with it.

Cindy · #5 12-17-2009, 07:10 PM

That is awesome, Sherri.

Blubayou · #6 12-17-2009, 07:46 PM

Wonderful idea! God will bless your church for its generosity.

Pressing-On · #7 12-17-2009, 08:04 PM

Praise the Lord! That is very awesome, Sherri!!!

mizpeh · #8 12-17-2009, 08:30 PM

To give truly is better than receiving. I'm glad God has made us so that those who give are blessed in the giving with a warm and fuzzy feeling. And those who receive give God the thanks. Everyone is blessed in the process.

Sherri · #9 12-17-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizpeh

To give truly is better than receiving. I'm glad God has made us so that those who give are blessed in the giving with a warm and fuzzy feeling. And those who receive give God the thanks. Everyone is blessed in the process.

Amen! That's why we did the cards the way we did - so no one would feel weird. It was a blessed night for everyone involved, givers and receivers. I think that's what the Kingdom is all about.

Esther · #10 12-17-2009, 08:50 PM

Well done my friend!