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The children of Emmanuel participated in a Noisy Coin offering during children's sermon for several weeks this summer. They were given stewardship lessons based on the offering liturgy: "We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us -- ourselves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake ofhim who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord." The stewardship emphasis for bringing our offerings was on: JOY; THANKSGIVING; what we have been given by God - our SELVES; our TIME; our POSSESSIONS; all gifts from God because He LOVES us. God is asked to accept our offerings given in this manner, because JESUS died on the cross for our sins to put us right with God. The children used small metal buckets to collect donated coins from the congregation members - and yes, it was noisy at times! The children brought the offerings forward and dumped them into two larger metal buckets labeled "Joy" and "Thanksgiving" (again, it was noisy!). After a total of five hours of coin counting by two volunteers, here's what the children collected during Noisy Coin - about 21 pieces of pocket lint/small paper, 1 Chuck E. Cheese coin, and 1 small key-perhaps from a diary! Also, the children collected 4,519 pennies, 460 nickels, 666 dimes, 729 quarters, and 6 one-dollar bills for a Grand Total of $323.04 (see picture - that's what it looked like)! On September 21, a check was presented to Salem Food Pantry for $323.04, representing this stewardship gift from the children and members of Emmanuel for our Noisy Coin offerings. Emphasis for children's sermon that week was how our stewardship helps others in need. To contact us:
Phone: 330-332-5042 Fax: 330-332-4405 Email: lutheran251@sbcglobal.net 251 S. Broadway Avenue Salem, OH 44460 |