Passing the Plate

It seems that, what with all the new and improved ways of ‘giving’ we may not need to pass the plate anymore. In this age of modern technology, giving has come to new and easier methods. A person can set up auto pay through the Thrivent “Simply Giving” program, can create an online payment through their online banking, or a person can even use the old snail mail process of sending their offering to the church, so why not eliminate the offering? After all, it would take out about seven minutes of our service and that would leave more time for other important aspects of the worship time.

NEVER. The time of offering in the worship service is about much more than merely collecting money. The offering is one of the oldest of patterns of worship practiced by the ancients, including Abraham, David, and Paul. It is about the giving of ourselves, and of our need to pause, contemplate, and be a part of an offering to God. While it may seem that the plate passes to collect envelopes for the church, it actually is a time when each of us - as God’s creation - get to participate in the rite of giving in worship. To grab on to that plate and pray that God find our gifts acceptable will never be taken out of the service.

This next Sunday as the plate passes in your row, grab on to that shiny brass receptacle, pause and pray that God would accept your gifts as an honest expression of love and sacrifice. It’s offering time!

See you in church,
Pastor Lynnae

Imagine!

“Imagine” Generosity Beyond Belief! As 87 families were served at our Food Pantry this Monday, it was easy to “imagine”. This was our largest client family day ever, or at least that is what Hazeldean Dumler said. And she would know— she has been serving at the Food Pantry since the beginning! Abiding Love Lutheran Food Pantry is a true gift for all those involved. Today, we touched over 300 hungry souls. I saw our members helping carry loads of groceries. I saw our members chatting with women over cabbage recipes. I saw our members bent in prayer with the homeless and hurting. I imagine the clients feel like they received ‘generosity beyond belief’, but I believe that our members at Abiding Love got much more than they gave.

We receive God’s generosity, so we give generously. It is that simple. May you recognize the ways that God has given to you so that you may live a life of generosity beyond belief.