This is Church!
This was a cool Sunday. People went out caroling to Seniors at retirement villages. The choir is preparing for a great outreach. The Lee Strobel event was announced. People asked tough questions at gathering. The connections service brought in massive amounts of gifts for Compass. The Access services saw lots of single moms have their financial prayers answered. This is the church. This is what we should be doing.
If you weren't in Access, God prompted me to suspend the message...and invite single moms to come to the front. We prayed for them and then I invited people to come forward to just give them money...cash...no organization, just give some dough to whomever God leads you to. And a few checks came as well. The women faced the crowd and tears welled up in their eyes. You could tell that they needed it and felt a touch from God through the body of Christ.
The givers were blessed too. Lots of tears throughout the gym. God was at work!
Here are some of the cool stories:
* A thirteen year old girl had recieved $100 from grandparents to spend on Christmas presents. At 10:45 she decided to pull it out and give it all to a single mom.
* A mom came up to me after the services with her three daughters. One of the daughters spouted out "one guy gave my mom a check for $1000!
* One single mom was facing legal challenges and immigration issues as well as normal single mom issues. God had provided for her a car and housing already this week and she was praying for $ for legal fees. God took care of her Sunday morning!
Do you have any other stories of praise to share? Feel free to post them anonymously (like the ones I wrote above) in response to this blog!
If you weren't in Access, God prompted me to suspend the message...and invite single moms to come to the front. We prayed for them and then I invited people to come forward to just give them money...cash...no organization, just give some dough to whomever God leads you to. And a few checks came as well. The women faced the crowd and tears welled up in their eyes. You could tell that they needed it and felt a touch from God through the body of Christ.
The givers were blessed too. Lots of tears throughout the gym. God was at work!
Here are some of the cool stories:
* A thirteen year old girl had recieved $100 from grandparents to spend on Christmas presents. At 10:45 she decided to pull it out and give it all to a single mom.
* A mom came up to me after the services with her three daughters. One of the daughters spouted out "one guy gave my mom a check for $1000!
* One single mom was facing legal challenges and immigration issues as well as normal single mom issues. God had provided for her a car and housing already this week and she was praying for $ for legal fees. God took care of her Sunday morning!
Do you have any other stories of praise to share? Feel free to post them anonymously (like the ones I wrote above) in response to this blog!
posted by Mark Ashton, Lead Pastor at
12:48 PM
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8 Comments:
I was at the Access service and I can honestly say I have never been so touched by the calling Mark had to have the single moms come forward ( I was one 30 years ago) and the people that so lovingly went forward to help them.
God at work is so right..We are a blessed community to have CCC and Mark as out lead Pastor to send love to those in need.
Just yesterday I told my granddaughters best friend's mom to call me anytime she needs help with her daughter--some place to come when she is working and her older brother has his activities..I wish she would have been there this morning!
Thank you Mark..
I thought it was beautiful Mark. In years past each of those women could have been my Sister or my Mother, both of whom found themselves without a Husband and limited resources to raise their children due to pitiful or non-existent support. Thank you Mark for your obedience to the Lord.
Out of respect for my Father, I will sign anonymously.
Mike G
The spirit is a moving at CCC! I hope and pray that everyone felt the ripple effect of giving that Sunday started. Absolutely amazing. I happened across a couple last Friday that needed a ride home with their two children and cart+ full of groceries at WalMart. {They were ditched by a cab driver} Sunday's giving momentum just kept going and my husband and I went to visit them Sunday afternoon to ask about other ways we might be able to help. Don't stop. Say "Yes" to the Lord and pay attention to the little opportunities that are put in your path. You may just be changing another's path. God is Good. Amen.
I was one of the single mothers who came up front. My son was the little boy in green that walked on stage and gave Mark a hug.
I have never seen in all my life people who didn’t know you just come from their seats to say with no words that life will be ok. For a little 4 year old to tell you not to cry. “Happy tears. Tears of Hope Thank You. For I have never been more moved in my entire life. A year of New beginnings.
I observed Access at 10:45 yesterday. I was moved, but not only because I have a relationship with one of the single moms that went to the front, but because of how the church came together as a body of Christ to help these women.
I watched countless people of all ages make their way to the front.
I watched husbands and wives look at each other, simply nod, and without talking, make their way to the front to give whatever they could to a single mom or two in addition to encouraging words and a hug.
I watched people walk down the aisle with wallet in hand and come back with their hand wiping away tears.
The applause toward the end gave me goose bumps. It was all part of the applause of heaven.
The boy with the “10 spot” that hugged Mark at the end was a perfect way to end Mark's unplanned God prompt. (just think)... to be a child and see the world through their eyes; to discover the world like they do and learn about God at such an early age - I think we can all try to look at God through a child's eyes, to remember or to imagine all over again. The wonder of it all.
I know the 15 or so single moms that were up front that day won't forget this Christmas for a long time. Hopefully they'll reflect each year around Christmas and whenever they need to and remember yesterday.
If you have comments about 10:45 Access, please comment here. I personally would love to read everyone's experience; from the single moms to the attendees’ of that service. It was a service to remember, not only for me - but for everyone that gave, witnessed, and received.
When God prompts us to act, we should do so. Amazing (for lack of a better word) things do happen!
I pray each of us can open our eyes, ears, and heart to God prompting us, even when it interrupts what we had planned to do. Especially when...
God bless... and may we always have single moms (and single dads) on our minds to say countless prayers for them!
I too, was a single mother that came up front and not only did I receive prayer but was also given gifts beyond comprehension. I couldn't stop the tears in church and throughout the day - tears of joy. I was deeply moved and I truly felt blessed. Thank you Mark and everyone for your prayers and generosity!
God Bless.
As a single mother in church yesterday morning, I cannot thank everyone enough for the blessings I received. Blessings not only financially, but emotionally as well. I could never have imagined going from a place where I felt so inwardly alone to a place where I felt loved by so many. I will truly remember this Christmas for the rest of my life. Thank you again and God bless you all.
God is so good. We are blessed to be surrounded by so many people who the Lord brings forward and into our lives. To know He is here and see His love at work helps me sleep at night and able to face tomorrow. Mark, thank you for being so open to His direction.
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