JEFFERSON AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 160 Jefferson Avenue Washington, PA 15301

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Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church

In Remembrance… Memories of Love and Sacrifice

Memorial Day Sunday, May 27, 2012 Washington Park—Main Pavilion

9:45 AM Fellowship 10:30 AM Worship

12:00 Lunch Adults $6.00

Children 10 and under $4.00 Call for lunch reservations by May 20th

724-225-1448

Do no harm.

Do good.

Stay in love with

God.

The J. A. U. M. C. News

Onward and upward. The Call to Action. Congregational Renewal. Four Areas of Focus. 4 Steps Toward Vitality. No Excuses. Numbers Don't Motivate. It seems as though everybody is weighing-in on our denomination's plan to create vital congregations, inspiring

leaders and effective disciples.

Proponents defend it outright. Some defend it with reservation. Others are cautiously optimistic. Still others refuse to buy into it all together. Our resident Episcopal leader, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, has reflected on its good points, its bad points, his personal position and

his expectations about how we should respond.

As for me? To be honest, I'm not sure. I know we United Methodists need to reverse the trend in attendance, membership decline and diminishing financial support. How we do that remains the mystery. A surfing session on the internet will reveal a veritable smorgasbord of tools to grow the church, to revitalize and renew. Mike Slaughter, Adam Hamilton, Lyle Schaller, Jim Harnish, Eugene Peterson, N. T. Wright,

The Barna Group, The Alban Institute.

I'm not going to argue the Call to Action's net worth. A lot of blood, sweat, tears and prayers went into its inception. Quite frankly, there's a lot riding on its success. I'd be lying if I said it's easy for me to accept this new initiative. No, it's not about an aversion to change. What we are doing at the present time isn't transforming lives or making disciples. What I do know is that we (United Methodists) have been comfortably numb; numb to the changes in our culture. Our decline didn't happen overnight. It happened over time. How long it took is debatable and really makes no difference. It's a reality. Now we have to

deal with it.

I guess what puzzles me the most is our failure to listen to the One who said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” and, “...Go and preach the good news...” and, “Take up your cross, deny yourself...” A perplexing dilemma, isn't it? We have been given instructions by the One we claim as “personal Savior,” yet we have been

unable or unwilling to do what He asks.

The nature of the church in Acts has been bandied about by

some church leaders as what we need to model. “Look at the church in Acts,” they say. “That's what we need to look like, act like. They broke bread and prayed, gathered together in fellowship and shared everything they had, praised God and enjoyed each others' company.” But it's the last verse in chapter 2 that let's us know

who's in charge.

“...And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Those early, uncomplicated, un-doctrined

Christians grew because the “Lord added to their number...”

I am not suggesting for one minute that I am more learned than the theologians and consultants I previously mentioned. What I am suggesting is that we need to chart a course and stick with it. We can't continue to jump from program to program and hope, like all those individuals who play the lottery, that we will hit the jackpot. Nor can we become cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all congregations. I believe we need to study and understand the context in which we do ministry, then develop ministries that address the needs of the environment within the parameters established by the Call to

Action's mandate and the creation of Vital Congregations.

To me, what that looks like is reaching beyond the bricks and the mortar, the stained glass and pipe organ, the multi-media players and covered-dish dinners. To me, what that looks like is meeting the needs of those outside the church and creating opportunities for them to experience a fellowship of caring and

sharing inside the community of faith.

To me, the Call to Action looks like a vision that was cast more than two thousand years ago with the words, “Follow me.” Those words have been drowned-out by the more familiar, “Me first.” When we United Methodists understand that little pronoun “me” and its proper significance, we will be on the road to renewal and

revitalization and saving souls. Stay hungry,

Onward and Upward

Volume 2 Number 5 May 2012

1 Pastor’s Corner 2-3 Important Dates Page, Birthdays,

Events,

4-5 United Methodist Women News, The Lighter

Side, 8-9 Calendar, Buddy Can You Spare a Prayer

10-11 After the Storm, Beauty Within 14-15 The Followers, Thank you’s, Games

THE J . A. U. M. C. NEWS

May Ushers June Ushers

Team Captain: Dave Dulaney Team Captain: Ivan Ullom

Asst. Head Usher: Chuck Hawkins Asst. Head Usher: Rick Bryant

Wendel Gower

Joy Stark

Derek Maceiko

Lynn Bond

Carol Spencer

Ruby Calvert

CJ Jacobson

Russ Crupe

Paul Wherry Jr.

Date Acolytes May 6 Michael Lucas

May 13 Haylea Maceiko

May 20 Patrick Bryant

May 27 Payton Janovich

Jun 3 Meredith Bryant

Jun 10 Abby Hollandsworth

Jun 17 Elizabeth Jenkins

Jun 24 Michael Lucas

IMPORTANT DATES PAGE Date Saturday Night Worship Leader

May 5 John Hoffman

May 12 Ted Gross

May 19 Patty McDaid

May 26 Lori Walters

Jun 2 John Hoffman

Jun 9 Russ Crupe

Jun 16 Myra Hatfield

Jun 23 John Hoffman

Jun 30 Patty McDaid

May Birthdays

2 Mary Lou James 2 Paul Conwell 2 Elizabeth Stark 8 David Holovak 8 Ayden Hollandsworth 9 Daniel Doman 10 Robert Day 13 Florence Reed 13 Marilyn Robey 13 Debbie Berry 17 Caitlin Conwell 17 Paul Stavovy 17 Derek Ross 19 John White 19 Donald Sickles 20 Jessica Combs 22 Wenda Brauchler 24 Ross Reed 25 Ruth Voorhes 30 John Stavovy 30 Mackenise Hawkins 30 Kelsey Hawkins 30 Joshua Hawkins

May Anniversaries 3 James & Sarah Coombs 16 Dan & Eleanor Doman 20 Jason & Chisty Hollandsworth 20 Barry & Patty McDaid 24 Don & Kim Sickles 26 Guyla & James Schnore 28 Wendy & Wyatt Briant

PAGE 2

EMAILS Please give the church office your current email address. We need it to keep you up to date in case of emergency or church cancellations.

PAGE 15 THE J . A. U. M. C. NEWS

GAMES

THE J . A. U. M. C. NEWS PAGE 14

The Followers

Thank you’s

AWESOME! That is what you hear from the youth these days. The concert was AWESOME! Casting Crowns drew in 14,000 Christians on March 31st, for their concert at Consol Energy Center. 36 youth and adults attended the concert and boy was I glad we took a bus. It would have been so hard to keep track of everyone. And the traffic, a mess. For some it was the first time to ever see a live concert. And the word has it, "IT WAS AWESOME". Once again, thank you for helping to make this all happen. Since then we have had 2 more fundraisers. We sold Oreo cookies and fudge, and our Pizza Hut fundraiser should bring in a nice profit. This money will finish paying for the retreat at Camp Allegheny in May. We have invited the younger youth to come, so I hope the parents will let them attend. It is such an awesome time. We also need to get working on our Relay For Life plans. It will be here before I know it. We have been asked to help with lunch at the park again. Memorial Day weekend we will worship at the Washington Park with West Washington. Lunch will be provided. Watch your bulletin for more details. I will be glad for summer break. We have a very busy May. Our last event in June, will be Kennywood. More details later. Until next time, have an Awesome month. God bless. The Followers.

I can’t express enough, the heart felt thank you’s to all those who helped with the Lenten Plays. Dave Dulaney, Rick Orton, Joy Stark, Beth Jenkins, Barb Rager, all of those who brought in crosses for props for the last day of the play. We are truly blessed by God. And you all are a blessing to me! Patty McDaid

SATURDAY,

May 19th

7:00PM

Movie “The

Hiding Place”

Hosted by the United

Methodist Women

PAGE 3 THE J . A. U. M. C. NEWS

Date Altar Flowers May

May 6 Otto Hohing by Cathy and Family

May 13 In Memory of loved ones by Florence Reed

May 20

May 27

Spaghetti Dinner Dates:

May 11

May 18

Mark your calendar!

We can use the help!

Ways to Contact Us Email: jaumc@verizon.net Fax: 724-225-1497 Church: 724-225-1448 Parsonage: 724-225-4940 Secretary Home: 724-678-0320 Snail Mail: 160 Jefferson Avenue Washington, PA 15301

EVENTS PAGE JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP

This is for kids grades 5th, 6th, and 7th. They meet each Sunday after church. Lunch is provided for both the junior and the senior youth groups. After lunch they break out into their separate groups for bible study, fun and laughter. Leaders are Barb Rager, Beth Jenkins and Rick Bryant.

UMW MEETING

May 21st

6:30 PM

West Washington Fellowship Hall

We will be joining our Sisters at West Washington at their “Cupcake” Tea. The speaker is Karen Ghrist, the District Spiritual Growth Coordinator. I’ve heard she is very en-tertaining. Come and join us!

TRUSTEE Meeting

May 6 12:15PM

Check out our webpage!

jaumc.org!

VBS Meeting May 15th 6:30PM

West Washington

PAGE 4 THE J . A. U . M. C . NEWS

Hi there! I pray you all had a glorious Easter. I spent Holy week in Franklin with Dave and

family. I watched our Katie, along with 17 other youth be confirmed by Bishop Bickerton on Palm

Sunday. That was a wonderful day! On Easter, Dave added an extra service, and the total attend-

ance for all three was 729 people! He is doing great work there, and I thank God for leading him in

what he was meant to do.

Our April meeting WAS time well spent. Patty had us making butterflies, while she told us

about the transformation and how lives are transformed around the world by ordinary women like us

who are inspired to help others.

The May meeting will be a part of the West Washington United Methodist Women’s

“Cupcake” Tea, on Monday, May 21st at 6:30 PM in their Fellowship Hall. The speaker is Karen

Ghrist, the District Spiritual Growth Coordinator. I’ve heard she is very entertaining. I’m sure we will

have a wonderful time, so come and join us.

If you are thinking about attending this year’s School of Mission, the dates are July 6-8 for

the weekend school and July 8-12 for the 4 day school. It takes place at Grove City College and

there are scholarships available for first time attendees. Talk to Norma SOON about them, if you are

interested. Deadline for registrations is June 22.

I guess that’s it for now. Enjoy Mother’s Day! Mary Janz

United Methodist Women News

EASTER PLAY BLESSINGS This year the 4th, 5th and 6th Junior Church class did something a little bit different for Lent. We did a 6-part play titled “Whose Cross Is It, Anyway?” Rev. Hoffman allowed us to take over the Call to Worship section of the service for 6 weeks. The play is about a cross being delivered by a JPS man (“UPS won’t be able to deliver for another couple thousand years.”). Though the cross makes its rounds to many people, only one accepts delivery. By blending biblical facts with contemporary society, the scenes reveal how people across all generations make excuses for not wanting Jesus in their lives. The best part, everyone in the class accepted Christ on the last day of the play. I would say the play did more than entertain, it taught them about Easter’s REAL meaning!

PAGE 13 THE J . A. U . M. C . NEWS

30’s-40’s Bible Study w/Cyndi Musgrave

Come and join us for fellowship and a

great learning experience with great friends.

1st Sunday of month– 9:45 AM

3rd Sunday of month-12:15 PM (Lunch provided)

And while you are learning, so is your child in a special class made just for them! Everyone is Welcome.

PRAYER REQUEST George and Vaughn Crouse, Kathy & Kinsey Dulaney, Lois Foringer, Tina Louili & Mother, Grandmother Dolores Marry, Grace Granna, Betty Morris, Barbara Ackman, J.D. Musgrave, Chris O’Dell, Audrey L. Farabee, Ronald D. Morris, Elmer Waldbaum Jr., Glenn Wright, Dr. Skitington’s family

Military: Stacy Borger Duritza, Faye Schreffler, Neilson Wahab, Scott Day, Matthew Berry, Ryan Begley, “Dark Horse” 3rd battalion 5th Marines, Tom Dickinson, Russell Crupe Jr.

PLEASE NOTE: These names will be on the list for 2 weeks unless you contact the office and request they stay on longer.

Prayers and Bible Studies

REMINDER!

Newsletter deadline….

18th of each month!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL July 13-15th I hope you kids are in the mood for camping because we will be creating SonRise National Park at West Washington this year!

We decided to do a weekend camping experience complete with s’mores, music, crafts, games and some visiting wild life to make the camping experience complete. MARK YOUR CALENDARS for a great time! Bring a friend or two and remember…”It’s gonna be a cool, cool summer…” Pre-register by June 1st for a special surprise!

PAGE 12 THE J . A. U . M. C . NEWS

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

After the Rain by Aaron Jeoffrey I cover my heart Turn from the wind Button my coat Here comes the storm again What can I do but to trust in Him 'Cause I know the deeper my faith runs The stronger I become And the thunder, it may shake me But I always know that... Chorus After the rain You can look to the sky again The clouds will give way To the light of the sun After the rain You know that you've made it through And you'll finally see the joy from the pain After the rain Everyone needs Everyone hurts Everyone feels The weight of the world sometimes But don't let the wind sweep your heart away 'Cause even the roughest waters cleanse so when they come again Let them serve as a reminder You can always know that... (Repeat chorus) Can't you see the hand of Jesus Reaching out for you You never have to face the storm alone

Salvation by Faith “By grace you have been saved through faith.” Ephesians 2:8 NASB. All the blessings which God has bestowed upon men and women are of His grace, bounty, or favor—His free, undeserved favor, altogether undeserved, we have no claim to the least of His mercies. It was free grace that “formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed unto him a living soul,” then stamped on that soul the image of God and “put all things under his feet.” The same grace continues to us at this day life and breath and all things. There is nothing we are, or have, or do which can deserve the smallest thing from his hand. “All our works, You, God, have wrought in us.” The-se, therefore, are so many more instances of free mercy: and whatever righteousness may be found in us, this is also the gift of God. The gift of God is that you have been saved through faith. Neither this faith nor this salvation is owing to any works you ever did, will, or can do. “For we are His workmanship” (v.10) shows that salvation is by faith, and that faith is the gift of God. Grace is both the beginning and the end. This lays the axe to the very root of spiritual pride and all glorying in ourselves. Grace, without respect to human worthiness, confers the glorious gift. Faith, with an empty hand, without any pretense to personal merit, receives the heavenly blessing. John Wesley, Classic Insights Renew My Heart, China, Bar-bour Publishing, Inc., 2011

Hands and Feet Ministry You don’t need a lot of money or a lot of time to do ministry and be God’s hands and feet while you are doing it. Here are some ideas to get you thinking on being a disciple of Christ: 1. Volunteer somewhere (even if it’s one hour) 2. Help with the Spaghetti Dinners at church 3. Donate time in the church office 4. Volunteer to fold or stamp something 5. Bring a canned good in on Sunday 6. Recycle (anything you do on this is GREAT!) 7. Sit and read to the nursery at church 8. Be a teacher helper at church or school.

PAGE 5 THE J . A. U . M. C . NEWS

Do no harm.

Do good. Stay in love with God.

The Lighter Side

It’s in the Bible One day a little boy opened the big fam-ily Bible and was fingering through it. As he turned the page, out fell a leaf which had been pressed in it. He picked up the leaf and ran to his mother, “Mom,” he said. “Look what I found! I think it’s Adam’s underwear!”

King of Glory Six year old Mike was listening to the sermon with his mother. When it got to this part: “He is the King of glory,” Mike asked, “Is Glory His wife?”

The Collection Plate A little boy was in church for the first time. He watched as the ushers passed around the collection plate. When they got to his pew, he told his father, “Don’t pay for me, Daddy. I’m under five.”

Did Noah Go Fishing? A Sunday School teacher asked her class if they thought Noah did a lot of fishing while he was on the ark. “Of course not,” said one little boy. “How could he? He only had two worms!”

The Good Samaritan A Sunday School class was learning about the Good Samaritan. To make the story vivid to the children, teacher told the story in detail, describing how the Man was beaten, robbed, then left for dead. Then she asked the class what they would do if they saw someone on the side of the road, beat-en and all bloody. A little girl replied, “ I think I’d throw up.”

Who’s the Higher Power? A Sunday School teacher was teaching her class about the powerful Kings and Queens of the Old Testament. “But there is a higher power. Does any one know what that is?” she asked. One little girl said, “Sure, Aces.”

Be Not Afraid After church one day, a mother asked her daughter what the Sunday School lesson was about. The daughter replied, “Don’t be scared, you’ll get your quilt.” The mother was perplexed and couldn’t figure out what her daughter could be referring to, so she called the teacher and asked her what the lesson was. The teacher said, “Be not afraid, your Comforter will come.”

PAGE 6 THE J . A. U . M. C . NEWS

In Remembrance… Memories of Love and Sacrifice

Memorial Day Sunday, May 27, 2012 Washington Park—Main Pavilion

9:45 AM Fellowship with pastries and beverages 10:30 AM A Community Remembrance Service: Jefferson Ave & West Washington United Methodist Churches sponsored Rev. John Hoffman leading the service A service to memorialize those departed & to honor those still living. Recognition of Mothers and Fathers, Special music and open Communion. An offering will be taken. A portion of the offering will be donated to the Cemetery of the Alleghenies for the Veterans.

12:00 Noon Picnic Lunch, Served by the Youth Group Menu: Fried Chicken Baked Beans Salads: tossed, macaroni & potato Desserts Bread/Rolls Drinks Adults $6.00, Children (10 and under) $4.00 RSVP to one of the church offices by May 20th phone: Jefferson Ave 724-225-1448 West Washington 724-222-2280 (Please leave message with your name, phone number and number attending) Email: JAUMC@verizion.net or Westwashington@verizon.net Or put a note in the offering plate on or before Sunday, May 20, 2012. Please wear Red, White and Blue. Hope to see you there! If you need transportation please call either of the church offices.

PAGE 11 THE J . A. U . M. C . NEWS

BEAUTY WITHIN

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this

mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

Jokes about beauty abound. A male comedian once said, “Beauty is only skin-deep, but ugly goes all the way to the bone!” To which a female comedian replied, ”Of course beauty is only skin-deep. That’s deep enough. What do you want-an adorable pancreas?”

All joking aside, what do you believe? Is Beauty only skin-deep, or is there a deeper, inner beauty? Can real beauty exist as both an outward and inward reality at the same time? How can we become beautiful both on the inside and outside?

Today’s bible verse provides the answer. Look at it again. Pay particular attention to the

final phrase: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

That glory –Christ’s magnificent and beautiful glory—comes to reside within us when we first believe. As the Holy Spirit plants faith in us, our hearts respond. As faith grows, it prompts us to all kinds of service, to many deeds of kindness. We grow more beautiful, inside and out.

The inner beauty God gives shows itself in outward acts of beautiful service for others.

This beauty, both inside and out, is real and true. Look for it in your Christian Sisters. See the twinkling eyes of the volunteer who reads to the blind. Look for it in the gentle hands of a loving Mom who cares for her neighbor’s children as well as her very own. Notice the tired feet of the woman who delivers meals to shut-in’s. Yes, the reader’s eyes may look a bit tired, the Mom’s hands may be a little chapped, and the feet of the meal delivery volunteer may be somewhat swollen, but these eyes, these hands, these feet are all beautiful. Amazingly beautiful! Inner beauty, given by Christ, is not cosmetic. It’s as real as God’s promise and God’s work in us!

Prayer-Lord God, make me beautiful inside and out today as you work through me to love

and serve those around me. Amen.

PAGE 10 THE J . A. U . M. C . NEWS

Sauce & Soul: Canonsburg Church Serves Up Food and Fellowship

Canonsburg– The congregation at Canonsburg First united Methodist Church is all about serving the community. And with its free spaghetti dinners, the church is succeeding. “we don’t just feed then food, we feed their souls, too.” said Matt Adams, a members of the congregation who helped spearhead the outreach. Since September, the church has been offering the dinners the third Friday of each month. The meal consists of spaghetti, a salad, bread, beverage and homemade desserts. All of the food is donated by area companies, family and friends, and everyone who “works” the dinners volunteers their time. Pat Tonsetic and Dee Stegman begin preparation at noon, and throughout the course of the day and evening, nearly a dozen volunteers are involved. “We have an amazing group of people,” Stegman said. Tonsetic agreed. “We never know who will show up,” she said, ”but we always have enough volunteers.” Occasionally, they even receive unsolicited , but much appreciated, help. At the second dinner, for instance, a woman Tonsetic affectionately calls the church’s dessert angel” walked into the church carrying two cakes.

“she didn’t want to give her name,” Tonsetic said. “She just wanted to be involved in her way.” Sandy Mutchler, another member of the congregation, also bakes desserts for the dinners. The church adopted the idea from Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church in Washington. The Washington church has been hosting free spaghetti dinners since 2000. It’s dinners are held the second and third Fridays of each month. The Jefferson Avenue congregation also provided first United Methodist with some direction, and was even kind enough to share their “secret” spaghetti recipe. “They taught us how to do it, and they told us how much we’d need,” Tonsetic said. “They said it took them a year to kick it off.” The dinners in Canonsburg have been drawing an average of 80 people. Some diners are members of the congregation, some are senior citizens from the local high-rise and, Tonsetic said, there are quite a few bachelors. “We’re trying to do more for the community,” Adams said. “There’s always someone out there who needs it. Some people seek the company too.” As more people become aware of the dinners, the church is hoping to increase its numbers. Jefferson Avenue has been known to serve between 200 and 300 meals.

However, First United isn’t complaining. “We felt we had a need here in Canonsburg,” Tonsetic said. “There are a lot of people who are struggling. If we can serve one person, we’ve done our job.”

Jordan Higgin prepares a takeout during the free spaghetti dinner in march at Canonsburg

First United Methodist

PAGE 7 THE J . A. U . M. C . NEWS

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Buddy Can You Spare a Prayer It has been more than 25 years now, But I remember the day I met a homeless man while returning some books to the library. I was feeling sorry for myself. I was going through a divorce, and had moved from my home by the ocean in Southern California back east to be near my family. I had only been back a couple of months when my mother had a massive heart attack and died. How could she have picked now to do this when I needed her so much? The day was sunny, but I felt only darkness, even while soaking up the full sunshine of the morning as I walked to the library. My father, devastated by mom’s death, now needed me more than ever. In desperation I began taking care of other elderly people in the area, starting my own business and working six days a week. As I approached the front door of the library, I saw a man sitting on a stone bench. He was smoking a cigarette. His clothes were filthy, his face unwashed and unshaven and there was a stench of stale nicotine in the air. “Can you give me a dollar, lady?” he asked rather gently. I stopped, not wanting to just walk by without answering. Emotions came up in me after months of my own losses and I fired back a quick reply. “I’ll give you a dollar, but you are going to have to earn it.” He stared at me as if I had said something crazy. I didn’t give him a chance to ask what he was supposed to do. While trying not to drop the books, I fumbled in my purse and pulled out a one dollar bill. Handing it to him I said, “I’ve had a really bad day and you’re going to have to pray for me.” A tender expression came over his weathered face. “Okay, but will you say one for me too?” What was wrong with the world? I thought. He had his dollar. I didn’t feel like I had anything left to give anyone. “All right,” I replied. “I’ll pray for you.” I thought this would settle the issue as I turned to walk away. “Will you pray for me now?” His soft words floated in the air, stopping my world. The books in my arms almost fell to the ground as I heard him say it. What was this turning into? Inside, though, I heard the quiet voice of God speak to my heart. I knew I had just said I would pray, and now I was being put to the test.

“All right,” I told him as I went to sit on the bench. “I’ll pray for you.” Without another word he took the cigarette out of his mouth and crushed the lit part into the dirt. He out what was left of it into the front pocket of his shabby shirt. Removing the dirt cap from his head he got off the bench and knelt down beside me. He closed his eyes and waited for me to pray. To this day I will never know what people thought as they came in and out of the library, observing me praying for this humble man in his tattered clothes who knelt beside me. In my eyes he was no longer just a homeless man, but God’s helper sent to me. In his asking me to pray, something happened. He gave far more to me than I could have ever given him. The years have gone and the hurts have healed. New ones come and go, but the lesson I learned that day was forever sown into my soul. Don’t pass a man or woman on the street who may be reaching out to you and think by helping them, you won’t be helped in return. Many wonderful things in life do not come wrapped in the packages we think they should be. God used a carpenter and not a king to save the world. This gentle man, forever in my heart and mind, gave me something special to carry with me for the rest of my life. Whenever I say to an-yone, “I will pray for you,” the picture of him kneeling on the ground comes to mind. The lesson was not just about keeping my word in praying for him, but knowing that when I walked away, I had sensed he has stopped and prayed for me as well. I cannot measure the return I received that day by sowing one dollar and a prayer into this man’s life. For those who feel they have nothing left to give or are a burden, we are all people with a purpose. These are two questions we must ask ourselves every day as we walk this earth. The first is, “Did I walk past a person today who could have changed my life, because he/she did not look the way I expected?” The other question is , “Do I have so little that I have nothing to give someone else?” Maybe if I could go back in time and be a wiser young woman, it would have been me asking this raggedly clothed man, “Buddy, can you spare a prayer?” Written by Kate Prado Submitted by Myra Hatfield

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