On the corner of Washington boulevard and Maple avenue is a church. A simple church of simple people doing simple things in a hard world. There are mothers and fathers and children and teens and a few college students too. There are blue collars and white collars and some in need of a collar, if you know what I mean.
The church was robbed twice in the last two months. The church doesn’t have enough parking. The church doesn’t have enough cushioned seats for their three Sunday services. The church doesn’t have a fancy cafe or large bookstore. The church doesn’t even have a smoke machine or fancy lights to make the worship service inviting and mysterious and contemplative like all the other churches in Los Angeles do. Nope, the church has nothing other big churches have.
Except… love.
Every Sunday morning and Wednesday night the children pile into classrooms and parents pile into the sanctuary and college students look around for faces without signs of aged weathering to learn next to. They sing together, learn together, laugh together, cry together, and give together.
The church on Washington boulevard and Maple avenue doesn’t have much, but what they do have is love. Love for God, love for each other, and love for others.
On Sunday the small church had big dreams to love others as Christ has called them to love. Love in thought, in deed, and in action. So they did. Moved by the stories from friends in Japan and the conviction impressed in the ethos of the church’s foundation, they gave.
The church who has so little, gave so much.
The church with no budget, gave.
The church with jobless attendees, gave.
The church with families losing their homes, gave.
The church with children in need of insurance, gave.
Because though the small church doesn’t have much, there are people who have less. And so they gave. And gave. And gave.
The simple church of simple people doing simple things collected thirty thousand dollars in one Sunday morning for those in Japan who lost their jobs. Their homes. Their children. Their lives.
Why? Because love requires action. And my church—the church on 931 Maple avenue—acted. We acted valiantly.
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. —1 John 3:17-19
amazng grace… this churcH taught me to love unconditionally
I am eternally grateful
Now take it to the desert and love out loud to people who need it 🙂 xoxo
What a beautiful story … of love … for the Lord … and for all that the Lord shows them to do.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Mama D! So… can we officially call you a baker's dozen?
You are blessed and so is your church!
I'm proud. So, so proud.
That is so awesome! Can people still give if they could not make it on Sunday?
Absolutely! If you mark the envelope with JAPAN all proceeds will go to relief aid 🙂
Thanks Santos!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that i'm part of this SIMPLE Church……My home away from home. Thanks for sharing B. I LOVE & MISS you. PC
You just told the story of 2 Corinthians 8 – for this generation. For this day. And it is still a beautiful and compelling story.
LOVE this post and it makes me proud to be a part of this awesome church.
I really, really, really love this post : )
Beautiful.
I love that God is present in your church. He doesn't need smoke machines and neon lights and bookstores. He just needs us to dedicate our lives and live for Him! How can we not?
Wow. I didn't have any idea of how much we were able to contribute as a church! I am so proud to be a single thread in the beautiful tapestry that is our simple church. May the Lord use our 'widow's mite' in an amazing way for Japan!
how amazing. God is so great to provide. I will be heading to AFRICA this summer and I almost didn't want to write a support letter. I felt like this country is suffering and people are broke (including myself). Why would I ask someone for money that they don't have to give to an irresponsible young fool like myself who is constantly broke. But God has a plan. And sometimes He just wants us to cast our nets as wide as possible knowing that HE is the one you provides the catch. It is the faith and the obedience of serving GOD above ourselves or what we are comfortable with that allows Him room to work. I am thankful to have read your encouraging post girl!! You should follow my blog :).
♥cheche
When I got your dad’s tweet, I just sat in my room and cried. I was moved, I felt conviction for not giving enough, I felt overwhelmed with Joy knowing the good that money can do there. But God reminded me that through Him, all things are possible. He reminded me that He provides and that He is eternally faithful. And that despite the economy and us literally.decreasing financially, HE is increased. I am grateful to be a part of this simple church. Praise God.
Ds, and some sangrados recite by one while another swears by another.
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