Helping Congregants of FPC Lakeland
The congregation at FPC Lakeland has always valued being part of enriching our community and the world with exhibitions of the gospel. Our missions committee works with organizations across Lakeland and the globe to that end, and we are blessed to be part of such life-changing efforts. That will continue to be a major focus of our ministry.
With that said, FPC Lakeland also wants to ensure that those who call this congregation home are taken care of as well. For more than 15 years, we have had the Good Samaritan Fund which has provided short-term financial resources to those who are regularly connected to the church.
Nearly every person who requests help receives some sort of counseling as well as hope to pay their bills and put food on the table. Recipients of this fund come from a wide range of people who worship, study God’s Word, and find encouragement here every week.
Needed Changes
Because of the state of the economy over the last several years, the fund has become entirely depleted. So the Session has reformed a new fund to replace the Good Samaritan Fund. The new fund is based on the principles of Acts 2. In Acts 2:44-45, we read these words about the early church in Jerusalem, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.”
That example echoes to us today, and so the Acts 2 Fund is designed to help ensure the financial well-being of congregants at FPC by providing limited resources to those who need assistance to bridge temporary shortfalls. Recipients of help do not receive cash but submit their bills to us, and we pay them directly. They may also receive Publix gift cards with access limited to direct grocery items.
This fund is mostly resourced through directed gifts by individuals. You can help make sure your brothers and sisters in Christ keep their lights on, stay ahead of their rent, or have the basics to provide for their families.
How You Can Help the Acts 2 Fund
Please consider making an “above and beyond” offering to the Acts 2 Fund this week by either writing a check to FPC Lakeland with “Acts 2 Fund” in the Memo line or by using the links on our website or the Church Center app.
If you would like to see the full policy for the Acts 2 Fund, please click here.
by Pastor Zac Mc Gowen