Secret Santa

Did you hear about the “Secret Santa of Kansas City”? I read about him in the Tuesday, December 15, edition of The Dallas Morning News. He anonymously distributed about $14,000 in one day to people in need around the city. His “elves” were handing out $100 bills to people at a thrift store. They gave $2000 to a cancer patient struggling to pay for medications. Altogether, the Secret Santa’s elves anticipate giving away between $250,000 and $300,000 this year. Actually, this is a new Secret Santa. The original was named Larry Stewart. His identity became known just before his death a few years ago. He handed out about $1.3 million dollars over twenty years. Like his predecessor, the new Secret Santa wants to remain anonymous.

Wouldn’t you love to have the money to share like that? Most of us want to be generous; the problem is our bank accounts often can’t back up those feelings of generosity. Well, I have got some good news for you. Did you know, every year our church gives away $75,000 in benevolence giving? We support everything from education to disaster relief, from fighting hunger and disease to sharing the love of God with those who have never heard of Jesus. We are able to do this because you join your giving with others in this congregation and then we join that with the giving of people in hundreds of other United Methodist Churches. Combining our gifts gives us the opportunity to make significant differences in the world in the name of the One who was born on Christmas morning.

So, here is your chance to be a Secret Santa. And the good news is, it is something everyone can do as they are able. You should have received in the mail your special Christmas Offering envelope. The money you give will help many in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem. Bring your envelope to church with you Christmas Eve night or the Sunday after Christmas or put it in the mail and send to the church. It should be above and beyond your regular offering to the church. This is a great way to feel the joy of being a Secret Santa and to lend a helping hand to someone in need.

Don’t forget our Christmas Eve worship schedule...
3 p.m.- Family Service
5&7 p.m.- Candlelight Celebration Service
6 p.m.- The Bridge
9&11 p.m.- Candlelight and Communion Celebration Service
(childcare provided at the 5, 6 and 7 p.m. services)

I hope to see you Christmas Eve night and have a blessed Christmas.