Caring and Generosity- Heartfelt mission

A woman shared her testimony with me regarding her moment of realizing the love of God. She said she had been away from church for many years and decided to return a year into my appointment there. She started to attend regularly and she said that one day as I was preaching, she suddenly felt as if it was just her, God, and me in the sanctuary. She said it was as if what I was saying in the sermon was speaking right to her heart and God was assuring her that she was loved more than she could ever imagine and despite the brokenness in her family, God loved them just as they are! She left the church in tears. I followed up with her because I wasn't sure what had happened. I wondered if I had said something in my sermon that upset her. She said it was quite the opposite, as she tearfully hugged me she said she was never so happy in her life. Since that time she has become a member of the church and is very active as well as faithfully attending worship. She says she has never been so happy. Just today she also told me that God is now working with her family and she is witnessing family members finally coming together after being divided for many years. Praise God!

Another experience I would like to share concerns a boarding house next to the church where people who are struggling with joblessness and addictions live. Long story short, as God would have it, a woman living at the boarding house reached out to me. She and her fiance' did not have any warm clothing for the winter and the church pitched in provided warm down coats for both of them, along with clothing, gloves, and hats. Just before Christmas, they were on the verge of being evicted and the church donated their rent. I spotted her and her fiance' in the congregation on Christmas Eve! As I walked out during the postlude, she and I looked at each other at the same time, and since she was at the end of the pew, I couldn't help but give her arm a little squeeze on my way down the aisle. What a Christmas blessing for me to see them there. I know a local entrepreneur in town and suggested she go there and apply for a job. I gave her permission to use me as a reference. She was hired 3 months ago and has since been promoted. Her employer says she is a wonderful employee. Teaching people to fish!

I can't say enough about the way the congregation supports various local missions. One such mission is Cheryl's Lodge which is located in a trailer park not far from the church. There has been an ongoing relationship with the children who go to Cheryl's Lodge after school. Consistently the church, headed by the UMW provide food throughout the year as well as monthly birthday celebrations, Spring bags of food, and Christmas stocking filled with food, fresh fruit, and a few toys. The best part is that they (the church) have so much fun doing this, they are like kids themselves when they deliver the goodies to the children.

RLUMC also has a group of women who not only visit our shut-ins, but they go above and beyond! These women shop, shuttle the shut-ins to the doctor, deep clean their homes, take them on outings and invite them into their own homes for special days such as their birthday etc. I realize many of our churches have Care and Compassion Teams but I have not seen one with such a depth of dedication before.

These are a few missions within the church that are difficult to count.