For many years our church has gathered a special offering for Easter which has been used to support our denomination’s local institutions: Bethany Children’s Home ($1,000), Lancaster Theological Seminary ($1,000) and Phoebe Devitt Homes ($1,000). Any amount over the amount needed to fulfill these gifts is used to offset our offering to Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) which we have budgeted at $1,500. Please notice that this is a special offering which is in addition to our regular envelopes which support our General Fund or Building Fund. With that understanding, we hope you will give generously to our church and also to the organizations we support.
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. — Luke 2:8-11 (NASV)