This morning at church, our pastor shared with us one of Jesus' parables: The Parable of the Talents. He has been planning to preach about this since spring of last year. And when the earthquake in Haiti happened last week, he struggled with the thought of preaching to us [Americans] about making all we can, while seeing and hearing about the already struggling country of Haiti being devastated so much more. But God pressed heavily on Pastor Scott a burden he couldn't ignore, that it was actually the perfect time to preach about such a thing. He shared his burden and the idea God had given him with the church board, and they prayed and agreed that it was clear what our church should do...
In December, there was a surplus of offering given at our church--a very rare thing! God impressed upon Pastor Scott and the church board this week that this money should be given to Haiti, but first given back to the people of our church to increase it. So, this morning, the church board handed out $5,000.00 to our congregation! 260 people received an envelope with random amounts of money, anywhere from $5 to $100 in an envelope. The important thing to realize here is that this is not our money; it is on loan to us from God! We will take it back to church in two weeks and give ALL of it toward the relief efforts in Haiti. The challenge we have is to increase this money for Haiti by using the talents God has given us...like in Jesus' parable.
Pastor also shared with us the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. Last night, we sat with the kids and read these two parables and explained the gift and challenge given to us. We prayed, thanking God for this gift and challenge, asking Him to bless our efforts to increase the money and help the people of Haiti in His name. We also pray that God will use this challenge as a lesson to us to do this as often as possible, as all the money and talents we have are not ours but on loan to us from Him!
Then we opened our envelopes and found exactly $100! Oh how we would love to increase that more than double!!
The kids came up with the idea of hosting movie nights. Each of them will have a showing of their chosen movie here in our home and invite several friends. We will use some of the money from the envelopes to buy snacks and popcorn to serve to their guests, suggest that each one who comes buys a $5 "ticket" or gives what they would spend to see a movie and have popcorn and a drink at the theater. We are making up invitations today!
I am praying about what kind of crafty things I could make and sell...perhaps some valentines, crocheted items like scarves or name doilies, or I may even do some baked goods. I will definitely be donating 100% of what I make from teaching music lessons in the next 2 weeks. Just so excited for this opportunity! We have been praying for the people of Haiti since first hearing about the earthquake, and will continue to!
Some links:
- audio of Pastor Scott's sermon today -- (On the player, look for 1/17/10 - "MADE: Make All You Can")
- A letter from one of the General Superintendants of the International Church of the Nazarene, who had landed in Haiti just hours before the earthquake.
- Video from Dr. Warrick, after the earthquake hit
- Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Haiti Earthquake relief (where this money will be going.)
- local newspaper story about what our church is doing
- Story about our church on the local news.
- A local news station broadcast the story too. (Yes, I am in the band--playing keyboard.)
- the original song my friends wrote just for the occasion -- (Written Friday, video is rehearsal on Saturday.)
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