On Sunday, November 20, our church treasurer informed the congregation that we were far behind budget, and in order to finish the year in the black, the offering per Sunday for the rest of the year would have to be double what it had been so far. We've ended in the red for the last several years, so there wasn't a lot of hope in his voice.
That noon the men served a Potato Topper, the women contributed to a Bake Sale, and the entire congregation provided beautiful items for a Silent Auction to benefit a family who lives across the street from the church. The father has been in a wheelchair for years and the mother was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. The event was a great success, and almost $6000 was raised, including a matching gift from Thrivent.
That evening the Luther League met to package boxes for Operation Christmas Child, using almost $500 that had been donated at the Halloween gathering at the Gatewoods' farm. When Andrew came home, he thought they had packed about 30 boxes, but Pastor Mary informed us the following Sunday that it was 60 boxes!
The offerings grew each Sunday, until our entire deficit was erased and a surplus generated before Christmas Eve. What a blessing! I need to remember that Jesus wasn't kidding when He said, "Give and it will be given to you - pressed down, shaken together and running over!" The congregation went ahead and gave generously to those less fortunate, and in return were blessed to overflowing. Will I do the same?
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