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A Note from David... |
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As I write this I'm reading that the Red Cross estimates that as many as 50,000 people may be dead in Haiti. Our President says this will be one of the largest relief efforts in history. Wednesday, our church staff spent a good bit of time in our staff meeting talking about how we can respond as a church. Here are some of the things we came up with and are working on:
-We can all pray. Pray for the victims, especially the children of Haiti who have been orphaned and are now homeless. Pray for those who are serving on the front lines in the search and rescue and for the relief workers.
-We have contacted the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Chaplain to see if there is anything our church can do for the families of the members of the FCFR who are in Haiti helping with the recovery. We will post that information when we get it.
-This Sunday we will be taking a special offering to help with the relief efforts in Haiti. We will be sending that offering through Samaritan's Purse, an organization with which we have an ongoing partnership. Please consider giving an offering above and beyond your normal giving.
-We will also need to be prepared to respond in the future as more needs arise. Julia Cruz is a missionary with UW Sports Ministries. Our church has been supporting Julia financially for a couple of years. UW has been working in Haiti and has established relationships with two groups there. One of the groups seems to be untouched while the other one, an orphanage, has been leveled. As UW looks for ways to serve, we may have an opportunity to help support them financially and perhaps by sending a team with them.
Isaiah 58:10 says"Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day."
Let me encourage you to be in worship this Sunday and to invite a friend. Studies show that when things like this happen, people are more willing to attend church if invited by a friend. I will be speaking on the subject "How Can God Be In An Earthquake?" I hope you can join us as we worship together.
See you Sunday,
David |
Our mission is to develop devoted followers of Christ, connected in a unique community, with a passion for serving others.
We value...
...bringing people to Christ by overcoming obstacles and loving them as they are
...actively nurturing spiritual growth
...recognizing that every person is important and has a role to play
...serving the church, local community, and beyond
...strengthening families and developing the next generation
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