The Incredible Generosity of our God
Dear Calvary Family,
I sit in my living room, a few days after Christmas. There’s a stillness after all the family gatherings and church celebrations that gives me a chance to reflect. My reflection this year is an expected and oft repeated one -
a deep gratitude for the incredible generosity of our God.
The willingness of the God of the universe to give up his “divine privileges” and stoop down to being born as a human baby becomes even more astounding the more one reflects upon it. This is a type of prayer. To ponder, like Mary, the wondrous events of the first Christmas.
We have been given so much and we have been blessed so much. Yes, even when we might have great suffering and difficulties. We are blessed by the generosity of the grace of God.
We are then encouraged, even commanded, to then be a blessing to others. We are blessed with the gospel and then we are to give away that blessing to others. We are blessed with provision of all kinds and then we are to share with others.
2 Corinthians 9:11 says, “Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.”
That’s our heart as a church as well. We have been blessed by God’s generosity to us. Through God’s provision, you have blessed our church through your generous acts of service and financial giving. Then we as a church leadership want to be a blessing to others with that as well.
Your giving funds the daily and weekly ministry of our church and we are also able to be generous to others through that giving. Approximately 30% of the funds that come into Calvary go outside of our walls to:
- support our 67 full-time missions partners in 26 countries
- reach out to care for refugees both locally and globally
- help further the work of many local ministry non-profits
- provide for those in need through things like our food pantry, ESL classes, hospital ministry, NeighborGood Day, and more
As we approach the end of the year on Sunday, we need $289,000 for General Church Ministry and $29,000 for Reach Missions. This is the amount needed to meet the budget set by our Elders and Trustees that will enable us to move forward on target into 2024, helping to make these kind of ministries happen.
Would you please consider making a year-end gift that primarily expresses worship and submission to God in response to His incredible generosity, but also that fuels the incredible life-changing ministry that takes place in and through Calvary Church?
You can give online today at CalvaryLife.org/Give.
You may also bring your offering this Sunday for a special Family New Year's Eve Service on December 31 with all ages together for worship. (see details below).
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Eric