Dear friends in Christ,

As a child one of my favorite things about One Great Hour of Sharing was the coin box. Back then it wasn’t fish-shaped, but that little box was so awesome, and dropping coins in it was so much fun! I didn’t understand where the coins went, but that didn’t matter to me. Now that I’m “grown-up”, I like knowing where the coins go. I like hearing the stories about how the offering is being used throughout the world. It makes me feel like I’m part of something much bigger than myself.

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering is used in hundreds of ways, including providing funding through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to Haiti. But here is another project you may not have heard about: the West Africa Initiative supported by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People that is creating a toehold for hope and trust in Sierra Leone and Liberia – two countries devastated by civil war. All three of these program areas receive funding from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. There are many stories of this offering at work that you will hear about in our Minute for Missions and read about in the bulletin inserts. All show how this one offering, collected once a year, makes manifest the resurrection hope of Easter.

Last year we collected over $700 for the offering. Wouldn’t it be great if we could top the $1000 mark? Why not try, and be part of something that truly lives out Christ’s command to “Feed my sheep.” Look for your fish and calendars, and join us on Palm Sunday when we will offer a part of ourselves to this special offering.

Peace, 

Pastor Trish

First Presbyterian Church - 346 Broadway - Haverhill, MA 01832 - Telephone (978) 374-8029