Brothers and Sisters in Christ. As we continue through this season of Lent, I’ll remind you that it is not only a season of looking inward with self-examination, fasting, and prayers of penitence, but it is also a season of self-giving to the hurting world around us. Of all the amazing things recorded in Paul’s letters is a collection that he takes up from the churches in Greece (Corinth) and Macedonia (Philippi and Thessalonica) for the sake of the members of the church in Jerusalem who were experiencing a famine. He speaks about the generosity of the church in Philippi, particularly their willingness to give beyond their means to support other Christians in need.
Generosity has always been a Christian value and part of Christian discipleship. It stems from the conviction that everything we are and have is a gift to us from God. Therefore, we are stewards of those gifts. A steward manages or looks after the resources entrusted to them. We are currently talking about being good stewards of our physical space – the buildings and grounds that have been entrusted to us – for the good of our community. We also talk about being good stewards of our financial resources, which is why giving to those in need and to support the work of the church is a part of being a disciple of Jesus.
This season of Lent, First Presbyterian Church is inviting you into one way of exercising your stewardship muscles by participating in the muti-denominational “One Great Hour of Sharing.” This offering was started in 1946 to bring much-needed aid to people trying to
recover from the destruction of World War II and was first taken in the Presbyterian church in 1949. For over 76 years, Presbyterians across the country have been stewarding that which God has given us to help those in need. Today, the OGHS is typically received during the season of Lent. Each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing supports efforts to relieve hunger through the Presbyterian Hunger Program, promote development through the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, and assist in areas of disaster through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. All three programs work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. Of the offerings collected:
36% Supports the Presbyterian Hunger Program, which is committed to ending hunger globally.
32% Supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, which is committed to helping others repair from disaster during and beyond the initial aftermath globally.
32% Supports Self-Development of People, which is committed to helping communities around the world gain the skills they need to improve their communities.
When you give to efforts like this, you are participating in the very same work that the apostle Paul was advocating for in collecting an offering for the church in Jerusalem, so I thank you for your generosity as an expression of your Christian stewardship.
Pastor Jon