Faith, Love & Hope

What a week in the life of this young church family. We talk of being a church of Faith, Love and Hope. A family that really risks and goes the extra mile for those in need. Well the last few weeks and days have seen that lived out.

Our church family emotionally and financially invested big in Jen, a 24 year old here in Rochester for Medical treatment.
Then this week she totals her car, in a car accident with the bad weather. With a neck brace and sling, I drove her back to Duluth where her mom lives and she will be receiving more care.

Two of our own Journey family members seek help and try to get jobs. While our "We Care" fund helps them with food and gas.

Saturday, Mike and Karen Ellsworth's neighbors house burns to the ground, and the Ellsworth's home is smoked filled, so they must evacuate. The Journey family goes into action to help the Ellseworth and their neighbor.

Days and weeks like this are crazy and intense. How many of them can a church take on and survive? Far more than we can imagine if we really believe in being an Acts Chapter 2 type church. A church marked by Faith, Hope and Love. Not merely in words, but action and resources. "They shared everything that they had" (acts 2:43), "they shared everything that they had....They had no needy people among them, because those who owned land or house would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to them in need." (acts 4:32, 34).

As we talk about financial matters, as we talk about giving and supporting the church mission through our offerings we often forget how many lives are really impacted by what we give, or don't give. It's a real challenge to be a church marked by generosity when the world is in self-protect and apathy mood. Yet, if we trust in God, risk and invest like we have... and even more. We will be seen as a community of "Faith, Love and Hope."

Some day, could be your day when you need financial aid, support that can only come from our "We Care" fund and the generous gifts and offering that are given and received at our gatherings. Some weeks are more intense than others.
Even as we have helped those that we mentioned, there have phone calls for aid and help that we have not acted on.
The need is great, the committed workers and givers are few.

Thanks for giving and making this week possible. You have made an impact.
No let's do it again, with you give generously this week.