Does your Church help elderly with bills?

Yes we do, I would hope that any church represented here would help any member of their flock that has financial trouble.

 

I don't know, as we don't advertize help like that to the entire congregation as it really isn't anybody's business. I do know, however, that our Church is good to help anybody in need, regardless of their age.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Like Joseph, I'm not sure. I do know occasionally we will take up a special offering because someone has a need, but that person or need aren't identified.

I do know that, shortly after we moved into our new building that is in a more prominent location than our old one was, we had people start coming in "off the street" asking for help. We helped a few of them with money and/or groceries.....then it's like they told 2 friends, and they told 2 friends, and so on, and so on.....before long, it seemed like every Sunday somebody would wonder in (usually during the service), asking to talk to "the Preacher". So, I believe we had to just totally stop giving these kind of hand-outs.

But back to the original question, yes, I believe if an elderly person in our congregation needed help with their electric bill, our church would help all they could.

 

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

In our church we have a very close knit senior group that really goes out of their way to care for one another.

 

Yes- but not only the elderly.

We have a special "Benevolence Fund" which people can contribute to. This is one of four separate funds at our church (the others being the General Fund, the Building Fund, & the Missions Fund).

This is by far the smallest of the four funds; but for the past several years contributions to this fund have averaged over $10,000 monthly. This money is spent at the discretion of the pastors to directly help people in financial need- for various reasons. It may go to help pay the rent/mortgage, pay utilities, buy groceries, etc. for those who've lost a job, single mothers, the elderly, etc.

We also provide job or financial counseling when needed. Additionally, we solicit (and in turn receive) the donation of several cars each year. We ensure that they're in reasonable running order, and then provide them to people as may be needed.

In our experience, the people who've been helped by the Benevolence Fund once upon a time are frequently its biggest supporters once they are back on their feet financially. I think that having directly experienced the benefits, they feel a special blessing from then being able to share in providing those benefits to others.

 

We have a fund for anyone in need.

 

Yes.

As well as the destitue and unemployed. It also operates a food bank giving out several thousand dollars worth of food each month.

 

Yes, but on a case by case basis and it isn't made public.

 

Were I attend church we have the chance to participate in a food co-op program and can purchase food items of almost any type for about 10 cents on the dollar.
During the last year the church here was recognized as one of the top two providers to the needy in our area.

Members (then attenders, then those in need) can ask for assistance for any need they have and we will consider it and meet their need if we can.
The second time they ask, we require a meeting with a deacon(s) who is trained in finances to make sure that they are making wise decisions with the money God gives them.

We encourage those who are not able to make ends meet to use our food bank and save their available money for other expenses.

Rob

 

I do not know. We have a Clothes Closet, though.

 

Of course.

No publicity is necessary.
Word has a way of getting around in a town of 30,000.

 

Yes, our benevolence fund has quadrupled in the last two years. We have a strict investigative procedure for non-members. We need to do more, but have just about topped out of funds.