Designated Ministry: Oblation—January 6, 2008

Suggested worship service for this day.
PowerPoint presentation to support the story.

For stories about what’s happening in Apostle Stassi Cramm’s Central and Michigan USA Mission Field, read the January Herald “Sharing in the Field” section.

A. Disciples’ Generous Response Story: World

Huron County, Michigan—Follow the Light

Each Sunday we are invited to “share equally” with Mission Tithes for local and world ministries. These stories are provided to keep us in touch with how your contributions to Mission Tithes are spreading the peace of Jesus Christ.

This story, Follow the Light, takes us to Huron County, Michigan in the Michigan Blue Water Mission Center, part of Apostle Stassi Cramm’s Central and Michigan USA Mission Field. Standing at the Baby Pantry’s door, clutching her newborn, she looked so tiny—too tiny to have just given birth. The seventeen-year-old’s blue eyes were dull and full of tears as she whispered, “My mother left us at the state police station and told me not to come back home – ever. The police took me to the women’s shelter, who brought me here. They said that you could help me out with some things for my baby. I wouldn’t ask, but I’ve nowhere else to turn. I’ll pay you back when I have a job.” Her voice trailed off into sobs. On this day, the young girl and her baby had followed the light, and they were welcomed with open arms. She was hugged, loved, and assured that she and her baby would be taken care of – at no cost to her. She picked out baby clothes, and received diapers, formula, and hygiene products. Most of all, they received unconditional love. For the first time in months, she smiled and laughed, and her eyes began to twinkle with hope.

I wish I could tell you this was a very unusual day at Huron County Baby Pantry, Inc., but I cannot. Unfortunately, it is a very typical day for us. But thanks to a grant from World Hunger, along with other fundraising efforts, the Huron County Baby Pantry is able to welcome mothers who have nowhere else to turn. Even more anticipated than the diapers, food, and hygiene products are the hugs, smiles, and unconditional love these mothers and their children receive. When people come to our door, they become part of the Baby Pantry family—a warm, comfortable place to be. Your contributions to World Hunger help to make ministry such as the Huron County Baby Pantry a reality. Thank you for responding faithfully by sharing so very generously.—Peggy Pitcher, program director, Huron County Baby Pantry, Inc.

B. Disciples’ Generous Response Story: Local

What is happening to you or in your congregation as a result of giving to local ministries through Mission Tithes? Share those experiences as part of your congregation’s Disciples’ Generous Response.

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C. Blessing on Our Offering

From Matthew 2:9 – 11, adapted (NRSV), we read:

When [the wise men] had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Sharing our Mission Tithes equally between local and world ministries changes our lives and those who receive the blessings from it. Let us share in the prayer of blessing for our offering.