Encourage and build one another up

Photos by Donna Parcell, Chris Elliott, and Church of the Brethren staff

www.brethren.org/givingtuesday

By Traci Rabenstein, executive director of Mission Advancement

The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica: “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV). This serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of mutual encouragement and edification within the Christian community. It highlights the transformative power of words spoken in love and faith.

Edification, or building up one another, is an integral part of all that we do together. Paul’s instruction to “build up one another” underscores the importance of intentional and purposeful interactions within the church. When believers lift each other up, they create a culture of hope, perseverance, and joy (Romans 15:4-5). When believers engage in acts of kindness, service, and prayer, they demonstrate their love for one another and contribute to each other’s spiritual growth (Galatians 6:2). This process involves sharing wisdom, experience, and spiritual gifts to strengthen and mature one another (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Paul’s phrase “just as you also are doing” emphasizes the imperative of ongoing encouragement. The Thessalonians were already practicing mutual edification, and Paul challenged them to continue and deepen this habit. This underscores the importance of making encouragement a regular part of our life together. As we navigate life’s challenges and uncertainties as followers of Jesus, we need the support and encouragement of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Paul reminds us of the vital importance of mutually encouraging one another. As we strive to live out our faith, we build each other up through words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and intentional interactions. By doing so, we create a culture of hope, perseverance, and joy, and we demonstrate our love for one another as we journey together toward Christ.

On Giving Tuesday (December 3), join us in celebrating all that we do together as the Church of the Brethren. Together we grow courageous disciples, love and serve one another, extend generosity and witness, and steward God’s blessings. In all that we do together, we intentionally call leaders, connect with our neighbors, cultivate relationships, and encourage stewardship. Together we passionately live as the body of Christ. Together we build up one another and our neighbors near and far. Together we join Jesus in the neighborhood.

Make a gift now or on Giving Tuesday at www.brethren.org/givingtuesday.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

Thanking God for you!

Thanking God for you!
www.brethren.org/givingtuesday

A reflection for Giving Tuesday (November 30) by Matt DeBall, coordinator of Mission Advancement communications

“How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?” ~1 Thessalonians 3:9

The bond of love in the body of Christ knows no bounds.

As Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, he was serving more than 250 miles away in Corinth—a distance that would involve several days of travel. Paul surely longed to be present with them, but in the meantime, he wrote a heart-felt letter to share words of encouragement and gratitude with their community.

The places where we serve in the US (and around the world) might have far more than 250 miles in between; however, as we talk with one another (by letter, email, phone, or video conference) and hear stories of how each of us is growing in faith and love, we are held tightly together in the family of God.

Over the past year (and long before), we have witnessed your boldness of faith and your spirit of generosity through the ways that you care for your community, for the church, and for people who are in need everywhere. We also have felt your loving support for the missions and ministries of the Church of the Brethren.

Through your faithful partnership, volunteers are trained through Brethren Volunteer Service to be the hands and feet of Jesus. With your help, the work of the Emergency Disaster Fund ­­­rebuilds communities affected by disaster and brings healing to survivors. Because of your support, the Office of Global Mission continues to accompany our sisters and brothers around the world, and the Global Food Initiative works with partners to support agriculture and address food insecurity. With your gifts, Discipleship Ministries equips Brethren of all ages, the Office of Ministry cares for district leaders and set-apart ministers, and the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy bears witness to the peace of Christ in ecumenical and non-religious settings. In short, the ongoing work of our missions and ministries is because of you!

On Giving Tuesday (November 30), we will give thanks for you and celebrate all the work we are able to accomplish together. Join us (today or then) by making a gift to the Church of the Brethren at www.brethren.org/givingtuesday.

Through seasons of challenge and celebration alike, we give thanks to God for you and for the love we share across many miles.

Rejoice on Giving Tuesday

Photos by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, Jay Wittmeyer, and Emily Tyler

By Matt DeBall, coordinator of Donor Communications

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoice”
(Psalm 126:3).

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, Ruler of the Universe. We praise you for your steadfast love and for your mighty works in the world. Thank you for redeeming and restoring us, your church. Ignite our hearts to serve you and others more fully.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Rejoice and be glad! God has been faithful to us. Despite the challenges and hardships we face, God continues to express love to us in profound ways. Overwhelmed by the goodness of God, it seems natural that we would respond with praise and gratitude.

As we give thanks to God in this season, we continue a long tradition. The Israelites, after being rescued from difficulty and distress, were filled with gratitude and love for God. They rejoiced with heartfelt singing and joyful dancing. They gave of the best of themselves as an act of praise.

Like the Israelites, there is much for which we can be thankful. Through the provision and love of God, the Church of the Brethren continues to share the peace of Christ.

This year alone, God has done many great things among us.

  • Approximately 302 youth, young adults,
    and advisors served in 19 workcamps.
  • The Mission and Ministry Board has approved two new mission projects in Venezuela and in the Africa Great Lakes region (Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi).
  • More than 800 individuals attended
    Inspiration 2017 (National Older Adult Conference).
  • The Office of Public Witness helped lead a conversation with elected officials to raise concerns and propose ways to address the humanitarian and food crisis in northeast Nigeria.
  • 45 Brethren Volunteer Service volunteers
    faithfully served around the world.

And God will continue to do great things in the days ahead.
On Giving Tuesday (November 28), join us in celebrating the great things God has done by making a gift to the Church of the Brethren.

Thank you for rejoicing with us on Giving Tuesday!

To make a gift to the Church of the Brethren for Giving Tuesday, visit www.brethren.org/GivingTuesday .

Giving Tuesday 2016

A workcamp in Kyle, S.D., international mission work in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Christian Citizenship Seminar 2016. Photos by Jennifer Coale, Christian Elliot, and Kendra Harbeck.

A workcamp in Kyle, S.D., international mission work in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Christian Citizenship Seminar 2016.
Photos by Jennifer Coale, Christian Elliot, and Kendra Harbeck.

By Matt DeBall, coordinator of Donor Communications

“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).

God is generous. Though each person witnesses this quality in different ways, we all experience the abundant, unwarranted, and wonderful blessings of God. God is so gracious, providing all that we need, and in many cases, giving us more than we could imagine. As we give thanks to God, we also have the opportunity to share what we have received. The abundant gifts in our lives are not only meant to bless us and our families, but also the church and the world.

Though our culture is filled with consumerism and over-spending during the holidays, Giving Tuesday is a reminder that there is more to the story. As we give, we partake in the generous and gracious giving of God.

Through gifts to the Church of the Brethren, its ministries are able to provide:

  • Conferences to discern together the work of God in our midst and in the world;
  • Trainings for deacons, pastors, and licensed ministers to lead and care for their communities;
  • Opportunities to nurture existing relationships with international partners and follow God’s leading into new relationships;
  • Communications that inform, encourage, and inspire the larger church; and
  • So much more!

As we celebrate Giving Tuesday on November 29, we invite you to consider how God may be leading you to give to the Church of the Brethren. All gifts to the denominational ministries of your church support life-changing opportunities that share the love of God.

Learn more about Giving Tuesday or give now at www.brethren.org/givingtuesday.

(Read this issue of eBrethren)