Wesley's Sixth Annual Harvest
Sunday, November 8, 2008
10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
“Offer unto God a sacrifice of Thanksgiving and pay your vows unto the Most High.” ~ Psalm 50:14
Over the years, Wesley has had a history of successful fall fundraisers: for many years it was the Church Fair, and at other times it has been bean suppers or yard sales. For the past five years we have celebrated “Harvest” ~ a wonderful tradition of raising funds that comes to us from the Methodist church in Ghana and other places. We learned that people plan for a year what they will bring to the Harvest to be offered, others save their money for an additional thanks-offering for all the blessings in their lives. The day is a celebration of music, food, items for auction, a time of special offerings and choirs. Back home they raise a lot of money!
Our past Harvests were a huge success, and we are praying that this year's Harvest at Wesley will be even greater! The target of this year’s Harvest is $60,000, to be raised by events on that day, but also through the participation of guests and friends outside Wesley. Members of the Ghanaian Association have received special Harvest envelopes to invite their friends and neighbors to participate in supporting the mission of the church here and abroad. Those envelopes will be available for anyone who wants them each Sunday after church.
The Harvest Day itself will begin with an abbreviated worship at 10:30 a.m., which will lead directly into the Harvest. We will remain in the Sanctuary for the Harvest, as it is a continuation of our worship, including various choirs and special activities.
How can you participate?
During the Harvest, we will have many opportunities for giving (see the list below). You may participate in as many of them as you wish!
Kofi and Ama Offering ~ Do you know on what day of the week you were born? You will want to find out (see the calendars in the Narthex) and plan to offer your special offering in the basket for your day. The challenge is on to see which day raises the most!
Appeal for Funds ~ This is a tradition of call and response. The leader will ask all those who are prepared to make an offering of $50 to bring (or dance) it forward as the choir sings. Then $100, $200, $500, $1,000 givers are invited to do the same! It is a time filled with much music, and prayers following each group of givers.
Auction ~ The last event in the Harvest is an auction of items of value or interest people have brought to give. Back in Ghana, people save the best of whatever they have to bring for the Harvest (i.e. a basket of home-grown vegetables, a carpenter may bring a chair he made, a baker may bring a basket of home-made breads and jellies). There will be a variety of things to bid on.
We believe this worship service will not only allow us to finish the fiscal year financially strong, but it will draw us closer to one another as a church as we continue to learn from one another what it means to be joyful givers in many ways. If you want to know more about what Harvest means in the lives of people, just ask one of our Ghanaian members to tell you about their experiences of Harvest. You can't help but get excited as they share their enthusiasm!
As we continue to grow as a multi-cultural church, we are strengthened by the best ideas we bring from our own experiences of church in other places. We are grateful for the leadership of the Harvest Committee in planning this event. It promises to be a day you won't want to miss!
We believe strongly that God has great things in store for Wesley. And we also believe that God expects great things from Wesley in mission both here and abroad. Please begin to pray for the Harvest. Put the date on your calendar and invite your friends and neighbors to Wesley's Harvest, Sunday, November 8th.
For Christ, We Live!