CELEBRATE: 16 churches have annually supported OGHS at least 20 years

NOTE: This article has been updated to include two additional congregations that have reached this milestone. First Presbyterian Church of Niles was inadvertently left off the list when this article was published. First Presbyterian Church of Lansing was left off the original list released by the Presbyterian Mission Agency. 

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Special recognition is being given to 16 congregations within the Presbytery of Lake Michigan that have consistently and faithfully supported the One Great Hour of Sharing by making annual contributions for at least 20 years.

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering — coordinated by the Presbyterian Mission Agency for more than 70 years — is collected during the Lenten season and provides a way for Presbyterians to share God’s love with neighbors around the world. Contributions support the Presbyterian Hunger Program, the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, and the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Those congregations that have made annual One Gift of Sharing contributions for at least 20 years include:

• Brooklyn Presbyterian Church
• Delta Presbyterian Church of Lansing
• First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek
• First Presbyterian Church of Dimondale
• First Presbyterian Church of Hastings
• First Presbyterian Church of Holland
• First Presbyterian Church of Holt
• First Presbyterian Church of Mason
• First Presbytery Church of Grand Haven
• First Presbyterian Church of Lansing
• First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw
• First Presbyterian Church of Richland
• First Presbyterian Church of Niles
• First Presbyterian Church of White Pigeon
• North Park Presbyterian Church of Grand Rapids
• Pennfield Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek
• Spring Lake Presbyterian Church

One Great Hour of Sharing is one of four churchwide offerings that the PC(USA) gathers each year to offer a visible witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The others include:

• The Pentecost offering gathered in the late spring to support young people and inspire them to share their faith, ideas and unique gifs with the church and the world.
• The Peace & Global Witness offering gathered in the early fall to encourage the church to cast off anxiety and fear, discord and division, and embrace our God’s mission of reconciliation to those around the corner and around the world.
• The Christmas Joy offering gathered during the early winter to provide assistance to current and retired church workers in time of need and to develop future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.

Updated information about each special offering may be found via the links above or by following the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Special Offerings page on Facebook.