In the fall of the year we make it our official business in the US and Canada to give thanks. And that tradition continues to endure even in a more and more secular world. Somehow there is widespread recognition that there is always a reason to give thanks.
For those of us who believe, there is no confusion as to who we are thankful to. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…” James 1:17. And those good and perfect gifts are evident even as we go through hard times.
This past year we have seen a deepening of the economic recession, although there have been some signs of hope. Certainly the stock market believes that brighter days are coming soon. It’s a little more unclear when you look at consumer spending, unemployment, residential foreclosures, and bankruptcies. But again, we know that God is in control, and He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. So, we look ahead with confidence.
On Sunday, March 7, 2010 our US Christian Reformed churches are scheduled to take an offering for CRWRC – Disaster Response Services. As we did this past year, we would like to make it a DRS Sunday – green shirts and all! More information will be available in January, but for now we ask that you get involved by helping with the planning – encourage your church to schedule the offering, help us arrange for a speaker, and plan on wearing your green shirt. Our Canadian churches are not included in the March 7 offering because of a scheduling conflict, but we ask that you also get your church involved in planning a DRS Sunday sometime in 2010!
Also, we have faithful volunteers who attend other denominations including Reformed, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and others. Please consider talking to your church leadership about getting involved and taking a special offering for CRWRC. We can also help to arrange a speaker if you would like. Give me a call!
We make it our business at CRWRC to bring God’s “good and perfect gifts” to a hurting world where sometimes the Father’s goodness is obscured by poverty, war, injustice and disaster. As I “officially” give thanks next week, I will be once again giving thanks for each of you. The world is blessed by the Father through your commitment. Thank you!
In His Service,
Bill Adams, Director
CRWRC-Disaster Response Services
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,