Tomorrow is going to be a blast at Connellsville Church of God. Judy Deans will be sharing in concert at 10:45. Judy has a beautiful singing voice and a beautiful spirit to go with it. We are very fortunate to welcome her.
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Come prepared to give generously for the love offering we will receive to support Judy's ministry.
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That brings up a story.
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Many years ago when Janelle and I were traveling and sharing concerts across the country, we did a Sunday morning service in a little Virginia country church. Our financial arrangements were a love offering plus $50 to defray our expenses--call it gas money. Before church the pastor handed me an envelope with $50 in it. I presumed the love offering would be received later in the service. There was an opening song, and then the church's regular tithes and offerings were collected. Then, a little later, as it was the first Sunday in November, a "meat offering" (a love offering to help cover the cost of the turkey for the church's upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner) was received. Soon it was time for us to sing. When we finished, the pastor dismissed the service... no love offering.
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Keep in mind. We were traveling, and a long way from home. We did have another concert, but mind you ONLY one, on this leg of our journey. I spoke with the person who set up the date to make sure he understood the arrangements included a love offering, and he assured me he had explained it in detail to the pastor.
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Come Tuesday morning I felt it would be appropriate to call the host pastor to see what exactly was going on. When he answered the phone I explained my dilemma, and asked if he understood the arrangements. His response (use your best Virginia drawl): Well, Brother Tim, we had to take up an offering to help pay for our Thanksgiving turkey; I didn't think it was fair to my people to take up two love offerings and, frankly, I THOUGHT THE TURKEY WAS MORE IMPORTANT.
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Now, picture the phone still in my hand, and my chin on the floor. What could I say? All righty then; God bless and have a good day. But to this day, when walking through the grocery store, I always feel a little resentment toward those Butterball turkeys in the freezer aisle. :)
