by Bill Kear
GATHER: Penn Hills Service Association
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Hebron’s goal is always to grow deeper in our knowledge of God and His Word; stronger by connecting with each other; and BEYOND by serving those beyond our doors. Addressing that third objective, Hebron’s Mobilization Team is currently hosting a church-wide BEYOND GATHER.
The GATHER benefits neighbors served by the Penn Hills Service Association, one of the missions our church supports. For over 50 years, under the direction of Ed Hoover, the PHSA has provided food, clothing, and other household items to those in need. Our prayer, our challenge, our invitation in this GATHER is for each one of us to bring non-perishable food items to Hebron each week through November 11. Particularly needed are canned goods – fruit, soup, and vegetables. Items are being collected at the main building and in the Barclay Building. Mobilization will then deliver them to the PHSA in time for their Thanksgiving giveaways.
Worship should be at the center of our lives. And that worship includes the willing, joyful giving of our resources. Those engaged in the Gather learn firsthand what it means to share what they have with neighbors in need. Further, they see that they are really serving Jesus. Let each of us look and see that “the Lord has dealt bountifully” with us. He has provided us gifts – not for ourselves – but for us to serve others.
According to what the Lord has given you, what can you share with neighbors in need? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, together, we could build a wall of non-perishable food items – a wall that would, through the PHSA, give comfort to those who are in need at this harvest time? Together we can be a blessing to the least, the last, and the lost … in Jesus’ name.
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| Andrew Churchill |
GATHER: Urban Impact
“For the Word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” Psalm 33:4
Urban Impact’s current Fall Newsletter identified their primary focus as a ‘build and release’ organization. Their purpose is to reach children and youth with the Gospel, disciple them to become strong in their relationship with Jesus Christ, and to successfully launch them into their adult lives. For over 25 years, UIF (Urban Impact Foundation) has been faithfully living out that calling in the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh’s North Side.
While sharing God’s Word is surely joyful, it is not always easy, especially in an environment where broken homes, addiction, and broken families are commonplace. Thankfully, the Lord calls willing, enthusiastic, and capable servants to these challenging mission fields. Andrew Churchill, our friend and brother in the body at Hebron, is one such example of a dedicated follower of Jesus serving at Urban Impact.
Starting in December, the Hebron Mobilization Team in conjunction with Hebron Kidz, have decided to organize the purchase, collection, and distribution of Youth Bibles to share with Urban Impact. Several details need to be ironed out, but look for specific information by mid-November. Hopefully you will feel led to be involved in some way, in what promises to be a wonderful Gather/Give event at Hebron for our ministry partners at Urban Impact.
The Word of God is indeed right and true; and what a joyful privilege it is to share the Word with young folks and families under the Urban Impact umbrella!
To find out more about the dynamic ministry at Urban Impact, please visit their website at www.uifpgh.org. There are so many diverse activities and programs they have in place to reach those in need!
