A Note from Pastor Bruce - July 30, 2026
Dear Church Family:
One of the ministries of Pender UMC that I have come to appreciate greatly is the Altar Fund. As most of you know, the Altar Fund is dedicated to helping persons with emergency needs of many kinds. During my three years as your pastor, we have helped individuals and families with gasoline, food, electric bills, phone cards, motel rentals, and a host of other needs. Sometimes the needs are urgent and easily addressed, other times the need is larger and chronic. When it comes to physical necessities, there is obviously only so much a local church can and should do, so partnering with other churches and making referrals to government agencies is also a vital part of this ministry. In every situation, we offer prayer and spiritual support to those we help.
The Altar Fund ministry of compassion and mercy is not undertaken alone. Our church staff plays a vital role. Vicki, our administrative assistant, is a warm and attentive presence who receives requests and helps me in responding with Christ-like compassion to those in need. From time to time, I have witnessed each of our staff members (and some of you!) provide hospitality and care for those who come to us sometimes in desperate circumstances. Of course, all of this is made possible through the generosity of church members and participants who give regularly to the fund on communion Sundays and at other times.
Sometimes the needs of others and the call of God are extraordinary. In the past couple days, we were able to help a woman and her son move from a motel into a new apartment. Olga’s already tenuous life caring for an elderly woman was placed in jeopardy when the woman was hospitalized and could no longer pay her day by day. When she called us, she was distraught as her other son died recently. Her surviving son has been traumatized. To help her with her emergency need, Pender partnered with her United Methodist congregation. While her pastor was away on vacation, I prayed with her and encouraged her to trust the Lord with her flood of trouble. With the aid of our Altar Fund, the Lord provided for the material and spiritual need of Olga and James.
In his teaching about the judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-46), King Jesus made clear that his faithful servants are those who welcome and care for “the least of these” as if they were caring for him personally. It is a great privilege to give a shared and faithful witness to our Savior and Lord through the ministry of the Altar Fund that brings relief to some of the most vulnerable persons in our community. This Sunday is Communion Sunday, and all who worship with us in person will be invited to contribute to this vital ministry of God’s kingdom as a part of our disciple’s devotion. If you cannot be with us in person, you may also contribute on our Pender website.
The Lord has blessed us richly with all good things in Christ. May the Lord continue to bless us with compassion and generosity that helps others in such needful ways and demonstrates our love for Christ Jesus.
Pastor Bruce
From This Week at Pender, July 30, 2026 edition
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