Society of Saint Andrew of Big Island, Virginia, United States "Advent Devotion-'New Respect Brough Peace'" for Tuesday, 2 December 2014

How Respect Brought Peace   Read: John 14:25-27 “I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught. When I came as pastor to an inner-city church, we surveyed family needs in the community. Our survey indicated interest in a food pantry and a Bible study at the church. We were taken aback when, at our first food distribution, the clients were pushing and shoving to be first in line, afraid there would not be enough food. In our Bible study we stressed the concepts of dignity and respect for all persons. Our staff made a point of learning the names of all the clients and spoke to each by name. As we focused on the dignity of each person, a sense of God’s peace settled upon the clients, who quickly came to realize there was enough food for all. Soon they were calling each other by name and greeting each other with joy. We also invited them to help, rather than just waiting in line. Some began to help fill the food bags. Within a year clients were bringing friends and paying their first $2.00 for a bag. They found dignity in being asked to give back as they received their food, and gradually a mutual sense of respect grew between the staff and clients. That corner of the world became God’s kingdom of peace, as we learned to work together. Prayer: Heavenly Father, this Advent season help us see all people as your children, and help us develop relationships in which everyone receives and everyone gives. Help us bring peace to all our activities by treating each other with dignity and respect. In the name of your son, the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen. ~Nora Ramirez   Winter Haven, FL

December 2 - TODAY!   Your Donation Will be Matched Today... By Potatoes! Today, on #GivingTuesday, December 2, every dollar given to Society of St. Andrew will be matched with 10 pounds of potatoes. For 24 hours, every gift made to Society of St. Andrew will have even greater impact! With this generous in-kind gift matching, every $1 given (by phone, online, or postmarked check) will put an astonishing 80 servings of healthy food on the table.   Donate Online Today   Click here to Donate Call us Today - you can pay by card over the phone. 800-333-4597 Send a Check - mark it "#GivingTuesday, and send it to: Society of St. Andrew 3383 Sweet Hollow Road Big Island Virginia 24526 United States   Feed your spiritual hunger during the weeks leading up to Christmas with these daily devotions from Society of St. Andrew, offering scripture readings, meditations, and prayers focusing on the coming birth of Jesus, the “Prince of Peace.” And as you feed your spiritual hunger, we invite you to give generously to feed the physical hunger of nearly 50 million low-income Americans through the gleaning and food distribution ministries of Society of St. Andrew. Through your faithful giving, as you are fed, so will our hungry brothers and sisters be fed. Every dollar you share will put 50 servings of healthy, nourishing food on their plates this winter. May God’s light shine brightly through you in this holy season.

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