Dear FBC Family,

I am looking forward to Heave Ho Sunday this weekend.  Heave Ho Sunday has been one of my favorite Sundays of the year ever since we started “The Journey”.  It has been good for my own heart and for my family to give a special offering to our building fund each year for Heave Ho.  We have been blessed to partner together with so many families in our church in worshiping the Lord through this opportunity.

This year has the possibility to be the most significant Heave Ho we have had.  I am not thinking primarily financial when I say that.  Sure, there are big financial implications with Heave Ho.  Our debt is already down below 1.5 Million (project cost was 5 Million).  If each family participates, we will have the opportunity to wipe out approximately 5% of our remaining debt in one day and that would be huge!  However, the financial implications are secondary when I say this year’s Heave Ho could be the most significant.

The last 8 months have been very hard for our nation.  Job loss, stock market plunging, declining retirement accounts and rising unemployment have ruled the day.  Some have been VERY directly hit by this economic earthquake, while others have felt the residual trimmers.  Either way, nearly all families in America have less today than they did one year ago.

So, why is this good for Heave Ho Sunday?  It is good because this year’s offering will require a little more resilience, a little more sacrificial giving and a little more faith than years past.  It is one thing to give when times are good, something else to give when times are not as good.  I believe this year’s Heave Ho Offering has the opportunity to be a great time of personal worship with the Lord.

There are families in our church who will be able to give large amounts Sunday and my prayer is that they give in faith and with joy.  Other families will give smaller amounts, yet the prayer is the same...give in faith and with joy.  The challenge for this offering has never been simply a numerical goal, it is always about fellowship (shared sacrifice and blessing) and worship.  The priority is not simply fund raising, but it is to worship the Lord and I think that is a very exciting opportunity.

So, I want to ask you and your family to do 3 things this Sunday, May 3:

1.  Pray – pray for God’s leadership as to how your family should give for our Heave Ho Offering & pray for God to do great things through this special day.  Pray that our church will respond and worship in a way that shows Jesus is our Treasure!

2. Come – be in worship this Sunday.  Come ready to worship, excited to sing & study and come expecting God to move through the people of our church.  Be in worship and Sunday School and don’t let anything stop you from coming Sunday morning!

3. Give – be involved in Heave Ho.  Participate in the joy and blessing of knowing you are partnering with your church family be a part of something special.

God has been so good to our church and I am excited to see His Hand of mercy poured out again.

Pastor Michael