Good Gifts Begins

As we begin the season of Lent, we remember those in need, and offer our gifts and offerings to feed a hungry world.  Every little bit helps.  Through the ELCA Good Gifts program, we will do our part to care for our neighbors.  I have asked fellow Epiphany member Bill Lynch for some help by sharing a weekly devotion through Lent focusing on the Good Gifts program. Some of you may know Bill's work in writing daily devotions, which I use quite often for my prayer and study time.  Here is Bill's offering for us this week:

Mark 4:30-31

 He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth;'

It all began with just one teacher and a tiny group of women and men. Just a small group of ordinary people. A tiny group without limitations. So, what makes the difference? A small group filled with the joy and love of the Holy Spirit... makes all the difference. 

Disciples of Jesus filled with the Spirit... Paul having seen Jesus... Luther's eyes opened by grace... Lincoln's stand against slavery... Wilberforce and Martin Luther King... a small group of women at the Food Pantry... Volunteers for IHN... actors with a message... caring people with prom dresses... musicians... setting up tables and cooking food and caring for those who mourn... and yes, those who give small chicks to people in need.

All people filled or led by the Holy Spirit. Ordinary people filled with love for God and for one another. Out of the smallness something "BIG" takes place. Something as tiny chick brings results that are great and awesome. The growth comes not in the numbers of chicks but in the love of one disciple for another person walking this earth. The growth comes from the heart of the disciple in love with God and one another. The growth comes with the fellowship with God and with one another... one little chick at a time. 

Prayer

Lord; lead us to see the potential of your love for us and for the relationship you have with us as we grow. Send now your Holy Spirit that we may love you as we love one another in and through our gifts. --- Amen

We are blessed. There is food on our table, food in our cupboards, clean water to drink, warm clothes to wear, books to read. We have doctors and health care available to us. We have a place to worship with hymnals, bibles and music. We have classes available to us to learn about God and our journey of faith. We are blessed! All these that we have are gifts from God. They are entrusted to us, and we are called to be good stewards of these gifts. God gives to us out of love for that which God created. Our sharing of these gifts is a sign of love, for we love, because God first loved us.

I am excited to share with you that our Good Gifts program is up and running, and I several people have shared with me the gifts that have been given. As of Saturday, February 16, 9 gifts have been reported to me. These gifts include food, health care items and animals. Through the sharing of these gifts, we give thanks to God for what God has first given us.

Good Gifts Tally - February 16, 2013

Total Gifts Given - 12 (our goal is 300!)
Dollar Amount of Gifts Given - $337

As you can see in the list below, there is a wide variety of gifts that can be given.

Global Barnyard
	3	Goats
	1	Chick
Water
	1	Water Jug
Health Care
	2	Health/Dental Kit
Malaria
	1	Mosquito Net
Agriculture
	1	Fruit Tree Seedling
Grow the Church
	1	Bible and Hymnal
Women and Children
	1	Food -Orphan
	1	Textbooks for Children

Global Barnyard
	3	Goats
	1	Chick
Water
	1	Water Jug
Health Care
	2	Health/Dental Kit
Malaria
	1	Mosquito Net
Agriculture
	1	Fruit Tree Seedling
Grow the Church
	1	Bible and Hymnal
Women and Children
	1	Food -Orphan

1

Textbooks for Children

I invite you to join us in the Good Gifts program during this season of Lent.

Peace
Pastor Charlie