We passed the plate for the first time at City Church on December 18th.
But instead of people putting money in, they took money out. Some people got $10, others $20, and some pulled out $50.
Over the next two weeks, we have challenged the people of City Church to take the money they were given and use it generously in our city to bless someone else and point them to Jesus.
So, here’s how this will go. If you received some money, comment on this post ANONYMOUSLY and let us know 3 things.
1) How much money you received
2) How much money you added to what you received
3) What you did with the money
While we want you to decide what you do with the money, in case you get stuck, here are a few helpful suggestions to get your generous juices flowing.
- The Murfreesboro Housing Authority has a number of teenagers (13-17 y/o) that will not receive anything for Christmas. Their project manager has asked if someone can provide giftcards. Gift cards need to be dropped off with Sheena Kingat 415 N. Maple St. by 4 pm on Tuesday 12/20
- Buy coffee for the person behind you in the drive-thru at Starbucks for the next two weeks. Leave a City Church inviter card with the drive thru attendant and ask them to pass it on to the person behind you with their coffee and a “Merry Christmas” wish.
- Find a hungry or homeless person and have dinner with them while you listen to their story.
Don’t forget to post a comment when you give your money away to let us know what you did and how it went.
Now, let the stories begin.
I was given $50, added $50 to that and gave the money to a needy coworker. This coworker recently lost a brother, and has since taken in his 2 teenage children, on top of raising 3 of her own. They are struggling financially this Christmas, and my work has “adopted” them to help pay for gifts and food this Chistmas.
I was given $10. I added another $5. Yesterday, I was invited to attend a concert at the Schermerhorn by Keith & Kristyn Getty for free. Afterwards, I purchased one of their CDs for some friends back home that don’t have much money for expendables such as music cds. Music is something that is supposed to be enjoyed, and is definitely a gift anytime it is created. So, I hope the music on the cd makes their Christmas a little bit more special.
I was given $10. I added another $10 and bought a wal-mart gift card. I mailed the card to a needy student (anonymously). She is about to have a baby and had said that she had no crib. Thought that could help.
As a family we received $30.00. We matched that and donated it to SOZO to pay for a student for a semester. SOZO is a Christian based teen group that is for any youth (6th- 12th grade) that needs a safe place to talk through life.
I received $10 and added $8. I bought a woman breakfast outside of my workplace who was hungry and gave the remaining amount toward a fund for a co-worker going through his second round of chemotherapy.
I received $20 and added $20 to it to purchase 2 gift cards for teenagers from the Murfreesboro Housing Authority. Our kids got in on it too, delivering the gift cards in person.
I was given 10 dollars, and my friend added her 10 dollars, and we bought a jacket for a 14-year-old of a single mother who were in need, as part of an angel tree project a group of us decided to do.
My husband and I were given a total of $20 and we added $20. This morning we ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel and left the $40 as the tip for our server. We have no idea if he was a man in need or not but we thought it would be an unexpected blessing for an often thankless job.
I received $10 and added $20. I gave the money to a homeless man selling the Contributor newspaper. The Contributor is a newspaper that is about the homeless community. The newspaper is normally sold by a homeless person which gives them a way to generate some sort of income.
We received 10 and 10, we decided to add 80 to make it 100. We purchased four Kroger gift cards and took them to the Salvation Army in Murfreesboro that is currently housing homeless families. The Salvation Army will use the gift cards to assist in their Christmas dinner they will be providing to the homeless. God is Great and thanks for involving us with such an inspirational gesture for the community.
I was given $10 . I added 70 to it. I used 40 dollars in the chick-fil-a drive through for the cars behind me. And the other 30 dollars I did the same thing at sonic except in the pull in. I have never been apart of something like this from a church, it was truly a blessing to actually give to someone that you dont even know. Praise God for His blessings.
Our family was given $20 total and we added $20. We decided to buy goodies for the elderly and we’re going on Christmas Eve to deliver them to a nursing home. We’ve also made cards for them.
I received $50. I got a chance to tell my waitress about Jesus today (on Christmas Eve) and left the $50 dollars as her tip.
I received $10 and added $40 and bought a Target gift card for a young man who is off drugs for the first time in a few years and has nothing really. Hoping it will help him start over a bit. Gave it to him anonymously, with a note telling him God gives second chances through Jesus.
We received $10.00. We added $40.00 and sent it anonymously to a grandmother we know who works two jobs to support her three grandchildren who live with her.
We received 20 dollars and donated it to St. Jude’s
I received 10, we donated 30 dollars in groceries to a needy family to have Christmas dinner.
I received $20 and put $45 with it. My sister and her family have been struggling the last few months with her husband being in Afghanistan, I took her and her two small children to eat so that I could minister to her and her husband in a simple, practical way.
We received $20 and used this money to tip our server well on our date night!
I received $10 and put $7 with it to buy a coworker lunch who is going through a rough patch.
I received $20 added $30 to it and sent it to a family who has to move because their home is no longer safe for them to be in.
We copied someone else on a previous post. On Christmas Eve night we went to eat at a mexican restaurant and left the tip for our waiter. We received $30 and added $30 for a $60 tip on top of the tip we left on the receipt. We also left a City Church card wishing him a Merry Christmas.
I received 10$. I added $22.17 to the $10.
I picked up the check for a family at a restaurant. They have a lot going on. They’re believers’. I just wanted to bless them.
Our family recieved $30. We added $10 and were able to give a platter of food to a group of guys who have been connected to us through using the Walnut House. We hope that they know we care for them even through such a small gesture.