Jesus blessed a child's lunch and 5,000 people were fed. One Great Hour of Sharing gives us the opportunity to give to others in need and to teach our children that their gifts can make a difference to others and to themselves. One of our core values at FPCA is that " We do not exist for ourselves alone. We follow Jesus example by giving of ourselves in serving the community." Our community may be Alabaster ? it may be California- it may be Bosnia Herzegovina.

Great things happen when people give generously in the spirit of love and hope. Each day we have opportunities to serve; to receive and to give. The disciples questioned whether five barley loaves and two fishes could serve such a great amount of people but were blessed when they saw what God was able to do with a child's small lunch.

Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with other denominations through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God's love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance, and community development that help people find safe refuge, and work together to strengthen their families and communities.

This year the One Hour of Sharing will go to help Afghanistan, Bosnia Herzegovina, and the United States. With support from OGHS, Church World Service will help communities in California that were destroyed by wildfires and areas in the southern states ravaged by the hurricanes.

This week we received our "fish banks" with the goal of each family giving one dollar per day . What we offer can do more than we expect or imagine when it is put to God's purposes. It is remarkable what your gift will do.

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