Share the Joy

[PeacemakerJack 10,670]

There have been some great threads in this section of the forum lately. All of us understand that what initially brings us to Red Square are these little red tractors that we care about so much. Sometimes we are looking for help, sometimes to help others, sometimes to find parts or obscure machines, and the list could go on.  I came on here to document for future generations the restoration of a tractor that had been in my family for over 40 years. But I think what most of us have found, is a group of great guys that really are fun with whom to share our lives! Sometimes close enough that we can hang out in person, like my local circle of buddies here in Cheese country!  Other times we only get to connect via phone calls, texts, private messages, etc but we build friendships. I really have enjoyed this unexpected benefit to the RS.  

 

So, topics like @Professor1990 started about what we do for a living or some of the cool ones that @ebinmaine has started about pets, machines, life have really been interesting to me.  I have decided to share with you guys one of the coolest activities that our TeenGroup does every year called “Share the Joy”...

 

All of us know that humans can be pretty selfish and as a youth pastor, I’m looking for ways to challenge my teens to look beyond themselves to help others.  About 15 years ago, when I first started helping with the teen ministry at our church, the young youth pastor we had at the time instituted an activity that we continue yearly called “Share the Joy”. He challenged the teens to save up their own money, at least $5, and bring it prepared to buy gifts for a less fortunate family.  It showed them the true spirit of Christmas which is giving without expecting anything in return.  The activity blessed my heart so much that every new youth pastor we had after him, I’d encourage to keep it as an annual tradition. Once I became the youth pastor, I determined that we would always “Share the Joy” before Christmas! 

 

So, how do we determine what families to choose?  We look for a special needs case, and in today’s society you don’t have to look far to find those.  Last night was our annual “Share the Joy” and here is how it runs and who we chose...

 

We start with the selections. The families must have children because it is the parents that we are trying to encourage but the KIDS that we are trying to bless.  Here are the three families we chose:

 

FAMILY 1: they are acquaintances from the community. I had hired the father and his father in law to subcontract some work for me about 12 years ago.  Apparently, he had been going through some very difficult times in life lately and decided that life wasn’t worth living about a month ago when he attempted suicide. His family was home when the gun went off and I can’t imagine the trauma that they all went through that night and every day since. Dad survived and is recovering but has a long way to go. They have two older teens and two younger children. 

 

FAMILY 2: They are new to our church. A young family with two little children and one on the way. They have had a very Difficult year financially and moved up here close to her parents to see if they could get a fresh start. They know very few people here and are trying to get settled in. We felt that a special Christmas encouragement was in order.

 

FAMILY 3: The father if this family is the employer to one of our teen youth workers.  He is only about 30 years old but was diagnosed with a brain tumor about a year ago.  It was a scary time for the family but he underwent surgery and all went great.  About a month ago, he again started having some weird symptoms.  He went back in to see his doctor and he found another tumor, this time more aggressive than the first.  If things don’t change under the Great Physician’s hand, I don’t believe that he will be with us next Christmas.  He has two young children and a lovely wife.

 

Once we have the families selected, we write the age/gender of the children on the white board in the TeenRoom and as our teens come in to start the activity they write their name under who they would like to buy for. Sometimes we have to move a name around because everyone wants to buy for the 14 year old!

 

 

We keep it anonymous to the teens at this point. We don’t want their judgment clouded by who they are specifically buying for.  Next we all hop on the bus and go to a local retailer.  I tell them to sit by the other teens that are buying for the same individual as they are...

And discuss what to get. Sometimes they pool their money and buy an expensive gift. Other times they buy smaller individual gifts. We only give them 15 minutes to shop which makes it more of an adventure.

 

After arriving back at church, it is a wrapping frenzy, much like Santa’s workshop the days before Christmas 

The kids pick some really cool stuff. At this point we give them the first name of the child that they bought for to write in the gift but in the from spot they write “TeenGroup”.

They enjoy the whole atmosphere of this activity—lots of singing, laughter, and joy!

most have told me that it is their favorite activity of the year! Once all gifts are wrapped, we practice three or four traditional Christmas carols acappela and then head out for our destinations

 

It is hard to describe the spectacle that ensues when over 25 teens invade a house bearing gifts! Santa doesn’t have anything on us! We may not have a flying sleigh, just an old church bus. We may not sneak in and out at night—quite the opposite really! But the gifts are anonymous and often fill the area under their tree. I of course have called to make sure that the families will be home.  Then we arrive, singing as we enter, place the gifts, I say a few words of encouragement, give a card to the family signed by all teens and workers, then I pray with them, we sing two more carols, wish them merry Christmas and we are off to our next stop. 

 

The last stop of the night was at our gentleman with cancer. He was apologetic but couldn’t invite us into the house for fear of catching something. He starts chemo next week.  The Lord had caused it to snow lightly and the air temp was a perfect 25 degrees with no wind. We stood out there in the glow of those Christmas lights watching the tears well up in the eyes of the wife as we sang Silent Night in harmony.  I thought to myself, “Now this is Christmas in the spirit of that Holy Gift come down from above about 2000 years ago to a stable in Bethlehem!”  

 

Before we knew it, the night was over but I pray that we were an encouragement to those families dealing with struggles this Christmas season. I also hope these teens never forget this special activity and make it part of their adult lives in some way, shape, or form.

 

God Bless them, EVERY ONE!

Edited December 21, 2017 by PeacemakerJack

[19richie66 16,880]

Awesome story Jack! 

[slim67 2,730]

This is what God wants and what Christmas is about. It's got to make you feel good inside.✝️

[PeacemakerJack 10,670]

Amen and amen!

[stevasaurus 22,229]

Thank you for sharing that Josh.  It is pretty special that your whole group gets to meet the people you are helping. 

   Buying for "Toys for Tots" and pulling a couple of cards off of the "Giving Tree" at the Mall is something everyone can do to help and get into the spirit...but what you guys are doing really makes it personal and very special. 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you.

[ACman 7,505]

Awesome thing you’re doing @PeacemakerJack ! I’ve been here for a hour now trying to figure out how to word the thoughts in my head as I’ve been on both ends of the stick. 

 

It can be a simple thing. One year my family went to our local outreach and asked about any elderly people on the list. The lady behind the counter said you know we have two that have asked for the same thing now for couple years now . One was a Kings James bible with enlarged print and the other was a lady’s fall jacket. That year they got their wish. Just a simple jester can bring a smile to one person or a whole family. So during this holiday season if you have the means to help please do . The gift of giving is the best gift of all and the best feeling you can have .

 

Merry Christmas and spread the joy and happiness this season!

 

 

[slim67 2,730]

When you here stories of other people's misfortunes during the holidays it certainly makes me grateful to have what I have. I think a lot of people don't ever think that their situation could be worse. I realize I am never going to be rich but embrace that fact and enjoy the simple things in life. 

 

[stevasaurus 22,229]

See Slim...you are richer already.    Merry Christmas.

[dclarke 4,011]

Thanks for sharing this, Jack. What an awesome thing to do! 

[Ed Kennell 35,629]

Thanks Jack.  What a great program that of course benefits the receivers, but will also benefit the youthful givers for the rest of their lives.

                            Please relay our thanks and Christmas Greetings to your Youth Group.

[slim67 2,730]

3 hours ago, stevasaurus said:

See Slim...you are richer already.    Merry Christmas.

Thanks Steve and for all you share here on Redsquare. to you as well.

[953 nut 51,541]

9 hours ago, PeacemakerJack said:

 I thought to myself, “Now this is Christmas in the spirit of that Holy Gift come down from above about 2000 years ago to a stable in Bethlehem!”

   Thank you so much for sharing this. This is one of the best threads ever! As a child I remember doing a similar thing with our youth group and know it helped shape my life.   

Once the holidays are over I will share an ongoing activity at my church which will be wrapping up. All I can say now is that I had high hopes and so far it has exceeded my wildest dreams.  More later.

[PeacemakerJack 10,670]

1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said:

  Please relay our thanks and Christmas Greetings to your Youth Group.

I’ll be sure to pass that along Ed!  Merry Christmas and God Bless

44 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Once the holidays are over I will share an ongoing activity at my church which will be wrapping up. All I can say now is that I had high hopes and so far it has exceeded my wildest dreams.  More later.

 

I can’t wait to hear this! Please share it here unless you would prefer to start your own thread.  I love hearing stories of how others are ministering to those around them whether in their family, church, community, city, or beyond.  

 

Thank you ALL for your kind comments...

Edited December 22, 2017 by PeacemakerJack

[oliver2-44 8,837]

Your group brings the true meaning of Christ-Message alive. Thanks for sharing

[ebinmaine 62,982]

D.) All o' the above...

Well done Sir Peacemaker, well done.

Share a Thank you to all involved there from me as well.

 

[953 nut 51,541]

On 12/21/2017 at 9:08 PM, PeacemakerJack said:

I can’t wait to hear this! Please share it here unless you would prefer to start your own thread.  I love hearing stories of how others are ministering to those around them whether in their family, church, community, city, or beyond.

Our church leadership has maintained a fiscally conservative budget process in recent years and over the past four years we have been blessed with a substantial surplus of funds at year’s end. We have always found community groups that needed financial assistance and been able to step in and meet the need as a local outreach effort. This year we did something that made some people’s jaws drop.

Let me share a bit of data about our community first. Located in the Bible Belt, Franklin, NC is the county seat and has a population of about 4,000. Macon county is a sparsely populated area with a total population of 34,000. Our church has one of the larger congregations in the county (not the largest by any means) with a regular attendance of 300 to 400 weekly.

Several weeks ago the scripture reading was Matthew 25:14-30, essentially it is Christ’s parable that reminds us that God expects us to use our talents and abilities to further His kingdom. With this in mind our pastor asked everyone who was willing to take on a “Kingdom Assignment” to step forward. He then proceeded to hand a crisp hundred-dollar bill to each person. There were three stipulations. This is God’s money, it is to be used to further the kingdom of God and we were to report back in three months with news of what had been done.

$37,000 was distributed that Sunday and the congregants were left with emotions ranging from awe to total disbelief.

Some folks purchased materials to make items to sell and used the proceeds to fund community activities that are near to their hearts.

Several small groups formed over the next few days to develop action plans. We have a community food bank which several churches support. The faction I became a part of felt inspired to match “God’s Money” with our own (after all, God gave it to us) and help the food bank. A couple of us approached the manager of one of the large grocery stores and he agreed to match us dollar for dollar on purchases there. We then bought basic food items that were on sale for Buy One Get one free. There were ten of us and we delivered a thousand dollars’ worth of groceries to the food bank eight times. An unanticipated witnessing opportunity developed each time we shopped. People would ask what we were doing with all those groceries (FIVE OR SIX GROCERY CARTS FULL EACH TIME) and when we told them, several said they too wanted to provide food.

Other groups enlisted community support for needs ranging from a domestic abuse center, homeless shelter, veteran’s assistance and so many other worthy local causes. Drinking water wells in Haiti, Christmas toys for children in hurricane ravaged Puerto Rico and medical clinics in Africa also benefited from the “Kingdom Assignment”.

Some banded together to raise funds for a not-for-profit cancer center that had saved their lives!  They organized a Benefit Bluegrass Concert with one local band and another one you may have heard of, Summer Brooke and the Mountain Faith Band. With the support of millions of viewers, MFB advanced to the 2015 semifinals of America’s Got Talent. MFB reduced their normal rate from $ 8,000 to $ 1.000 and ultimately donated the fee back to the fund raiser.

The concert was not advertised, just word of mouth and we had a standing room only turn out. Our fire marshal is a friend of mine and sort of looked the other way because we were well over capacity. When the plate was passed we collected donations of more than twelve thousand dollars.

These are but few of the efforts to use God’s Money to further the kingdom of God.

Preliminary estimates indicate that the total dollar amount of direct support is greater than $ 90,000. In prior years a few of the leadership of the church had decided where God’s money should go, this year the entire church body made that decision. I am so proud of our congregation and their acceptances of this challenge.

Oh, by the way, it appears that we will have a substantial surplus again this year, God knows what needs to be done. We just need to listen and follow through!

[PeacemakerJack 10,670]

Now that is “Sharing the Joy”!  May God bless you and your church for all that was done this year and may it continue to Grow in years to come.  Thank you for sharing the details, I’ve read it quickly after TeenGroup tonight but I’ll take time to really digest the above post after lunches are packed and the kids are in bed tonight...

[19richie66 16,880]

Wow......Awesome project Richard. Sounds like all involved did very well for others. And when you help others with the right intentions and an open heart, you are blessed as well. 👍

[PeacemakerJack 10,670]

It is really hard to believe that it has been a WHOLE YEAR since the last “Share the Joy” activity.  Tonight we have selected two new families that we are going to try to be a blessing to and share the True Joy of the Christmas Season with.  I will have more details to follow and try to record this event at least somewhat in real time for posterity’s sake!

[PeacemakerJack 10,670]

teens are arriving and the tables are set with wrapping paper and bows...

Because it is anonymous to the teens, we give the gender and age of the children (yes, we believe and teach that God created them male and female!) 

 

The teens sign up for the children that they would like to buy for...

[PeacemakerJack 10,670]

It was a shopping frenzy at our favorite big blue box store...

The kids were finishing all the deals, toy guns, games, a bike, stuffed animals, etc 

 

Lots of decisions to be made but no time to be made.  

@Coulter Caleb in there with his buddies deciding on a toy! 

wrapping is next!

Time to get the group pic and head to our destinations 

[PeacemakerJack 10,670]

Its hard to describe the emotions that arise in someone who has had tough times, financially, emotionally, physically, when a group this size invades their space for a few precious moments and brings Christmas spirit to them!  

 

We we just finished the first stop and are now traveling to the second...

 

 

Ill tell you about the families situations tonight when I’m not bouncing in the bus!

 

For you gearheads—we are the in an early 2000’s International with the legendary DT466 backed by a manual gear jammer with a Blue Bird conversion!

 

Very much enjoying the Christmas carols while traveling to our next stop....

[PeacemakerJack 10,670]

Made it to the last stop safe and sound!  And then got everyone back to church.  Here’s the story of the two families that we chose this year:

 

FAMILY #1:  They had 3 children ranging in age from 8-17.  However, back in the fall their oldest girl decided that her life wasn’t worth living and ended it.  After hours of searching for her, her father found her body.  It is hard to quantify the loss that they felt and are continuing to feel.  As we brought the gifts in and I struggled to speak because of the impact that it was making on them and on me, I was once again reminded of the verse, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”  The mother was crying as we sang, “O come all ye faithful” and “Silent Night”.  Then we prayed with them and were on our way.

 

FAMILY #2: they have only been in our area for a little more than a year.  They have five children ranging from 2-9 years. The dad has been struggling with his job situation this year and has been trying to get his new business off the ground.  They have been really tight as of late and it was great to be able to say some words of encouragement, sing a few carols, pray with them, and fill the underside of their Christmas tree with presents.  

 

Our kids spent over $500 of their own cash to be a blessing to these families. I know it is something that those touched by it won’t soon forget.   

 

Thanks for taking the journey with me.  

 

Merry Christmas

[953 nut 51,541]

7 hours ago, PeacemakerJack said:

Thanks for taking the journey with me.

                                                                                         

Thank you for taking us along. We are all inundated by "News" that ranges from bad to horrific on a daily basis,  we are blessed that you have shared some good news with us. Please share our appreciation of a wonderful journey with the fine young women and men from your church.

Also, the youth pastor ain't too bad either.    

[19richie66 16,880]

Great to see some Christmas cheer spread  amongst those who need it most. What a great thing it is that you all do. Yeah that youth leader is an alright guy.👍