One thing I would like to do better is to end my days being thankful. So tonight, I want to give thanks for the heart of my brothers and sisters at Calvary. It is a blessing to be able to witness so many of my friends who are truly developing the heart of Jesus.

Over the past few years we have seen many wealthy and “important” people walk away from our church, but God has graciously sent people to replace them who may not be blessed financially, but who exhibit a rich love in their relationships with each other and a deep compassion for the world around them. After all, when he saw the widow give her two mites at the temple, Jesus reminded his followers that it was not the size of the offering that mattered, but rather it is the heart of the giver.

Over the past few days I have a great opportunity to repeatedly see people exhibiting the heart of a joyful giver.

Today, we had people coming to our building all day (as late as 8pm tonight) to pick up gifts for delivery to children as part of project angel tree.

Someone dropped off a coat today because they wanted to make a contribution to our teen’s local warming project (which they are doing for the second year in a row).

I’m privileged to be part of a LIFEgroup which adopts several families every year to provide clothes, gifts, and food for the holidays.

I was approached yesterday after first service by a lady who desired information about getting involved in our monthly supper house ministry.

A recent new attenders at our church has been purchasing books for radio bible class and making them available for free. People are taking them all each week!

I can’t remember the last Sunday I’ve been at Calvary when so many people have expressed love and gratitude to me as did this week.

Our church’s children modeled intergenerational ministry as they spent their Sunday School hour having a bingo party with our Keenagers.

I was approached this weekend by two different people who have a heart for connecting people and want to launch new LIFEgroups.

To cap it off, on a day when our church united, despite a concerted effort to divide the congregation, to approve next year’s budget; our people gave one of the largest offings of the year* (over $10,000 more than our average giving)!

I could go on. If you want to see more, check out our facebook page to see the rich love being shared there on a regular basis! I am truly thankful to be part of a church full of people with such big hearts!

*this is especially amazing because the second Sunday of the month is almost always one of our lowest offerings of the month.