Moment for Mission Archive

Today I’m going to be speaking with you about the Pentecost Offering, which begins next Sunday, the day of Pentecost. This offering helps children at risk, youth and young adults.

When God gave the Holy Spirit to the church at Pentecost, everyone heard the Word in his or her own language. Every single person heard. No one was left out. So it is with the Pentecost Offering that provides hope and promise to those who ordinarily might be left out – younger members of God’s family.

Children, we know, are often left out: especially poor children, children we deem “at risk.” Over half of the offering goes to help such children: to after-school programs, for example, and to the Child Advocacy Office of the Presbyterian Church. Each congregation keeps 40% of the offering to give to a local program for children at risk: in the past we’ve given to the LYT Youth Theatre program and for after-school scholarships. The Session will be deciding where to give our portion of this year’s offering next month, and we welcome your ideas.

The offering also goes for programs directed to the age groups most under-represented in the church: youth and young adults. It helps to develop youth leadership through gatherings such as the Triennium – Gladys Morris and Sarah Rundqvist from Rutgers attended the last two Trienniums. Through the Pentecost offering, young seekers and people who were drawn away from the church are invited back in.

Please give generously. Although we “officially” begin the offering next week, if the Spirit inspires you to give today, do so! Just be sure and mark on your check or your envelope “Pentecost Offering.”

Let us pray. We thank you, Oh God, for the blessing of children, youth and young adults in our lives and in our church. Help us to make a difference in their lives, and to spread the Good News of your love. Amen.