Today

Building for Life

‘Building a life of Service...’

8:30am, 10:30am & 6:30pm: Roger Brook

Communion at all services

World Mission offering will be collected

Sunday, 11 May, 2008

Pentecost

Mothers’ Day

Building for Life

‘Building a life of Purpose ...’

8:30am, 10:30am & 6:30pm: Roger Brook

7:14 Prayer Meetings

Week 3

4 - 10 May

Prayers of Purpose

Paul : Read Philippians 3:1-21

1. Living a life of purpose isn’t easy but it is the way of Christ. Pray for each other to have the strength to trust God in everything and for everything in our lives.

2. Pray that living totally for God isn’t seen as a burden but as a privilege.

3. Pray that Hope Valley UC will build its life on the purposes of God.

4. Pray that we will always live our lives in the light of eternity.

5. Pray that as a church we will help others to discover their God - given purpose.

2 Chronicles 7:14

“If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

DISCOVERING CREATIVE WAYS TO INCREASE

MY CASH GIFT FOR

PLEDGE DAY JUNE 1^ST.

The Building for Life Offering we give on June 1st will be both a cash offering and a commitment to give over the next 36 months. Obviously, the more we are able to give in cash up front, the less debt we have to service.

At first thought, most people do not think they have much cash laying around to give. But with a little creativity and by taking advantage of the four weeks we have until the offering each of us can probably come up with a sizeable cash gift. And together it will all add up.

Here are some ways that people in our church are going to add creatively to their cash gift. You might like to try one yourself.

1. Eliminate all eating out for the next month.

Save that cash to be added to your offering.

2. Hold a garage sale.

You probably have a garage or wardrobe full of unused items that could be converted into cash. I just wonder what the average Hope Valley resident would have sitting as assets sitting unused in his or her garage.

3. If you have some spare time, try a part-time job for one month.

4. Have everyone in your family locate the spare change in your house and begin collecting it all in one giant piggy bank.

5. Postpone a major purchase for a few more months in order to give more.

6. Make crafts and sell them to raise additional cash for the offering.

7. Give share dividends, shares, bonds, or tax refunds.

8. Sell your unused items on ebay.

Basically, there are two approaches to finding more cash to give:

1. Look for ways to reduce your expenses.

2. Look for ways to increase your income.

By using a combination of these two approaches during the next month, you’ll be able to give far more cash than you thought.

Be creative!

Service to Others - A story

During April 2008 while enjoying a cup of tea with visitors my doorbell rang. I was surprised to see a lady I knew with two young girls who said that they had come on a special mission.

The girls, Chelsea and Amber, had wandered off with a mouth organ and small drum and had begun playing near an elderly ladies’ unit. Their effort was much appreciated and the lady insisted that they accept a small donation.

The girls then raced back to Chelsea’s grandmother to tell her of their activity and said that they would like to donate the money to the poor. Grandma drove them to the church office but unfortunately the office was not open at that time and there was not a “poor box” in sight.

The girls then came around to see me and asked if I could help them. I took the money and gave them a receipt and later left them some children’s mission books. I was touched by their generosity for others.

Chelsea and Amber have now become soul mates.

- Betty