Reflections From Sunday Evening

Today's church attendance was better but we are still struggling with bitterly cold weather and slick streets. I know one of these days everyone is going to get out and we'll fill the place. But in spite of this things are going well.
We ended 2009 with an average attendance of about the same as the previous year.
We ended the year on sound financial footing.
Even though our attendance was off by 30% on Christmas Eve our offering slightly exceeded last year's. This Christmas Eve offering goes to assist those in need who come our way.
All this positions us to continue to make a significant difference in the lives of people and in our community.
Let me say a word about our ministry of assisting others. Hardly a day passes that someone does not contact the church seeking some form of tangible aid. People need food - we are able to provide food vouchers to help with groceries. People need a tank of gasoline - we are able to provide a gas voucher to help people get back and forth to work.
Frankly most of the people who call us are not affliated with PWUMC. We help. But we inform people that this is a "one time" thing.
We want to guarantee that when one of our members share a need wth us we are able to help meet it. In this economy one month's rent can make the difference for a family. A car repair could set someone back in terrible ways. Assistance with a utility can help keep a home warm.
In addition to our personal contacts we also provide funds to an organization in the Northland that is able to screen requests and see to it that the funds made available are best used for the glory of God.
We also are looking at the possibility of helping support a feeding program in an ethnic church.
All this is possible because a number of people at PWUMC have responded to the call to extravagant generosity. You are making a difference in lives.
So when I come home and consider worship attendance was not a great as I'd like I have this moment of realization. We are not merely a church of on-lookers - we are a congregation - a Christian community - in mission. I sense our kingdom influence continues to expand. It makes for a good day. I hope you've had a good day and somewhere along the line experienced the presence of God.
steve