{"id":1603,"date":"2020-11-19T20:44:26","date_gmt":"2020-11-19T20:44:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.presbyterianmission.org\/weekly-offerings\/?p=1603"},"modified":"2020-11-19T20:44:26","modified_gmt":"2020-11-19T20:44:26","slug":"christmas-joy-being-with-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/centernet.pcusa.org\/weekly-offerings\/2020\/11\/19\/christmas-joy-being-with-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Joy: Being With Us"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cMany hands make light work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTeamwork makes the dream work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There are lots of ways to say it \u2014 but working together really does make bigger and better things possible. And, lots of times, working together makes it more fun, too.\u00a0 In fact, there are times made better just by our ability to be together, to be with one another.<\/span><\/p>\n

That is something that really rings true, doesn\u2019t it? Being together. During these past months, many of us weren\u2019t able to be together in person. We have always been together in spirit, and in faith. But we missed seeing each other. We missed seeing faces\u00a0 we love \u2014 up close and personal. But that doesn\u2019t mean we haven\u2019t been together. And we definitely have not been alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a word that comes up a lot during this season we call Advent in the Church, and it points to the same sentiment, but about God: \u201cEmmanuel.\u201d Emmanuel means \u201cGod is with us,\u201d and, in Jesus, we Christians claim that God took on human form to be with us. \u201cGod is with us\u201d is more than just saying God is along for the ride. It states God values togetherness and relationship with us, leading us to value togetherness and relationship with one another. When we are all together \u2014 and even when we are apart.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"The Christmas Joy Offering is one way we join together as Presbyterians from around the country. We do this to meet the needs of vulnerable people we might not be able to meet as individuals or as single congregations. We might not be able to meet face to face with those who need the support that our gifts provide, but we are very much still together. <\/span><\/p>\n

The gifts we share connect us. They also change lives. Through the Christmas Joy\u00a0 Offering, we support church workers and their families who experience critical\u00a0 financial needs through help from the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions. We connect with the young people attending Stillman College, Presbyterian Pan American School, and the Menaul School, supporting the education and leadership development for students of color, who will soon be leaders in our Church and in the world. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGod is with us.\u201d All the time. During this season of Advent, as we approach Christmas, we can\u2019t think of a more perfect gift than that. Thank you for sharing those lessons and those truths, through your gift to the Christmas Joy Offering. <\/span><\/p>\n

Please give generously, for \u201cif we all do a little \u2014 together \u2014 it adds up to a lot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Let us pray<\/span><\/h4>\n

God, we are your Church, together. Because of your son Jesus, we are brought together to serve those who lead your Church but find themselves in need. And we are brought together with students at Presbyterian- related schools and colleges\u00a0\u00a0 equipping communities of color, who have the potential to lead your church and world in the future. In the name of the Christ, Emmanuel we pray, Amen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Join us<\/h4>\n

For more information and resources related to the Christmas Joy Offering, please visit the Special Offerings website.<\/a>
\n<\/u> This post is based on a regional Minute for Mission which can be found on our\u00a0website<\/a>\u00a0as a\u00a0script<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Please give generously to the Offering:<\/p>\n