“I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason, I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1: 15-16
Presbytery Friends, Every morning I wake up grateful for the love of Christ being expressed through faithful disciples in our Lake Erie Presbytery. Every day my prayers are full of joy for your commitment and service. In my role as General Presbyter, I am privileged to see a broad view of church life in this presbytery. I see ordinary acts of faith expressed consistently year after year. I also see extraordinary expressions of loving service. Both often go largely unnoticed as dedicated Christians quietly serve in Christ’s name without fanfare or applause. With this in mind,, I will highlight a mission or ministry of one of our churches that valiantly reflects the love of Christ. I hope that you will join me in giving thanks for these ministries.
This month, Anita Applauds . . . the churches who give so generously to the mission and ministry of the whole Presbytery of Lake Erie. Every day I am proud of the way the churches of the Lake Erie Presbytery support the larger Church through their financial contributions to Per Capita and through their gifts in Mission support. Did you know that we are one of the healthiest presbyteries across the nation in terms of our Per Capita percentages? In addition, we have some churches who are very generous in their support of the Lake Erie Presbytery’s ministry goals. Sometimes we only celebrate the churches who are able to give the largest amounts (and we are grateful for these!). However, I want you to see the “Top Ten List” of churches who gave the most generously per member in 2024. You might be surprised. They, and the one individual who gives a mission support gift directly to the presbytery every year, are heroes in my book!
Lake Erie Presbytery’s Top 10 Honor Roll of highest mission contributors per member in 2024:
Nickleville – with an astounding $216.22 per member!
Tionesta – $111.11 per member
First, Warren – $108.69 per member
First, Oil City – $81.08 per member
Harmonsburg – $80. per member
Coudersport – $72.92 per member
Adamsville – $47.06 per member
Kane – $42. per member
North Warren – $41.38 per member
First, Harborcreek – $36. per member
As you can see, generosity has little to do with size and ability. Generosity is about grateful hearts wanting to share God’s grace with others more expansively. Generosity is about believing in something greater than yourself. I thank my God every day for generous people and pray that I might become more and more so myself!
Rev. Anita Berdhardt – General Presbyter / Presbytery of Lake Erie
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