submitted by Russell Post
The Mission Offering will complement our worship service in many ways. It will ground our contemporary service and care ministries in the ancient traditions of the Church, and it will highlight that the source of our call to the ministry of service and care is scriptural: “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:34-36.
In addition, the Mission Offering will create a tangible connection between our members and the many service and care ministries that are supported and empowered by this congregation, day after day and year after year. That tangible sign will be a witness to everyone who worships with us—and especially to our children. Many of our members donate to the church directly, rather than in the offering plate, and as a result our children do not see the physical evidence of our support for the church. The Mission Offering is an opportunity to engage our children directly in the mission of this congregation and to show them how people of faith respond gratefully to God’s grace.