Thanks:Giving — Our Deacons
“We wish to give all honor to our gracious and loving Lord who has touched the hearts of other members to contribute and worked through us to distribute some of His grace. In other words, you are most certainly welcome and it is our pleasure to serve!” — Greg Dutton, Orangewood Deacon
We sometimes forget that the gospel is more often proclaimed and received through our actions than our words. There is something to embodying gospel, living out what it means to be forgiven, and engaging people from this posture of grace and freedom. The purest example of this is set for us in the incarnation of Jesus, God’s Word made flesh, that through His life, death, and resurrection we might inherit abundant life and share this good news with others.
In many ways, we consider our deacons to be the first responders in sharing the gospel through action. Those who are elected to serve in the office of deacon are agreeing to a commitment, “of sympathy and service, after the example of the Lord Jesus; it expresses also the communion of saints, especially in their helping one another in time of need”(Book of Church Order 9.1).
Our church has been blessed abundantly, but there is no shortage of needs within our congregation. In other words, there is no shortage of spaces Throughout the years, we have had individuals and families weighed down by medical bills, mental health counseling costs, home and automotive repairs, and more. Our deacons have developed a fund that is separate from general giving that is designed to alleviate the financial burdens that overwhelm members in our congregation.
This year alone, the Deacons fund covered $49,000 in financial needs across 14 families. This is an incredible tangible act of grace that was made possible solely through your generous giving. Here are a few words from members who have been impacted through you:
Saying thank you doesn’t feel like enough. I find myself again in this position where I am not capable of returning the generosity that was so freely given to me. This radical kindness is just one of the many ways God is putting to death all self-sufficiency in me that I might know him as a safe father who sees my need and longs to be gracious to me. All I have to do is ask. Thank you, all, for considering me and my ongoing needs and for the tremendous spiritual impact you are making on those in your congregation. — Anonymous
Thank you so much! I am so grateful for the support during a difficult season. Please let me know how I can thank the church for helping me! — Anonymous
I will never forget how amazing Orangewood has been. — Anonymous
We want to continue to strive to be a church that is committed to intentionally supporting one another through all seasons and stages of life. Would you join us in this work of love, where we embody the gospel and care for the financial needs of our members?
We are quickly approaching the end of the year and currently running low on funds. As a way to keep this work going, we are allocating a portion of the gifts received from the Thanks:Giving giving opportunity to the Deacons fund. The deadline to give is Nov 30, and you can give by clicking on the Thanks:Giving button on the Church Center homepage or by visiting orangewood.org/thanksgiving.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. — Ephesians 3:20-21