WHO GIVES A RIP?

How do we actually care? We can start by letting you know first off that we attend to our shut-ins. We meet with each of them in their homes. We take "church to them," visiting and encouraging them in Christ. Typically, they are unable to come to church, but still desire to participate in components of church. So, we visit, encourage, take CD's of each sermon, read scripture, do devotions, take communion and pray for them. I want you to know that this simple regiment is so fulfilling to them. Each time I think I am going to go bless them and "I'm the one who gets blessed."

They are grateful that they have a church home that inverts the words and becomes home church. Also, we care about benevolence. The biblical mandate is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and give shelter as needed (paraphrase). We do just that. Sometimes it's food cards at Bashas, a referral to the Food Bank or helping them to find the Flagstaff Family Food Center that feeds everyone everyday from 4pm to 5:30pm, or referral to Salvation Army Thrift Store (on Cedar) or the Goodwill Store. Both provide jackets, socks, scarves, hats, gloves, boots, you name it. As we enter winter, these are a regular occurrence for us.

We've even been known to help others totally stranded and have given families a gift card at Wal-Mart for school clothing. Lots of things to "Give a Rip About." People have needs and we have resources. Pastor Phil allocates a portion of our operating budget to benevolence specifically for these needs. In addition, we screen very carefully, post on CharityCheck, and help with things like: gasoline, gas utility bills, rent assistance and bus fares. We even help with "unusual" cases on an individual basis, depending on the need and the circumstances that surround it. We like to say "Yes." We work with all of the social service agencies to see that people's needs are being met.

We help in other ways as well; Stephen Ministry, Celebrate Recovery, Anger Management, Divorce Care for adults and kids, translate sermons by the use of sign language, one-on-one finacial counseling, we provide a location for the blood bank to operate blood drives and help single women with car clinics to prepare their vehicles for winter and summer.

So, the bottom-line is; we really do give a rip. It's evident through the amount of money we spend, the resourses we use, the loving hand we extend and the prayerful time we spend with those who are less fornunate. In fact, we give a RIP, because, to us, it means Real Important People. Let's never lose sight that god created all of us and breathed life into us as well. When we learn to love others unconditionally, we exemplify what the Bible commands us to do.

Bless each of you as God provides for your every need.
Larry More...