The suggested date for the One Great Hour of Sharing offering emphasis is Sunday, March 15. Gifts given through this special offering empower ministries like the Church of the Brethren’s Global Mission and Service, Congregational Life Ministries, Brethren Volunteer Service, workcamps, and many others.
The focus verses are 2 Corinthians 8:12-13: “For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has–not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance.”
“One Great Hour of Sharing reaches those near and far, sometimes changing the life of someone in distress in your own community, while at other times impacting the lives of those we may never meet but who are in need of our compassion,” said the website for the offering emphasis. “God provides the resources so that we can give back. It’s not the size of the gift that matters; it’s that we give of what we have. We’re simply giving back to God what is already God’s–and that means everyone has a gift to bring!”
Worship resources for this year’s offering are by Amy Gopp, and are available online at www.brethren.org/offerings/onegreathourofsharing . Bulletin inserts, giving envelopes, and posters were mailed to Church of the Brethren congregations by Feb. 6. Order paper copies of these materials by e-mailing offerings@brethren.org or calling Matt DeBall at 847-429-4378.