Supporting vulnerable people and disadvantaged

families since 1826

1st Kings 19 1-4

When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, travelling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

1st Kings 19 5-9

Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.Then the angel of the LORD came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.

Raking Leaves

• Is it pointless?• Thankless task• Never-ending

The difference we make

• Easily disheartened• Is it all in vain?

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)

More than words

• Gospel is more than words• Living Prophetically “Revealing Gods’ heart”

• Prophet Hosea - Faithful to the unfaithful• Blessed Teresa of Calcutta - Missionaries of

Charity• William Wilberforce - Abolitionist• William Booth - Salvation Army• David Naismith - Glasgow City Mission

Glasgow City Mission

• Established 1826• More than just a soup kitchen• Food is mainstay of our services• Hot meal each evening (Mon—Fri)• 150 people are fed• 20% rise in use of service

Our Service Users

• Addictions• Mental health issues• Street prostitution• Suffered family breakdown or bereavement• Lost job / business collapsed• Ex armed forces• International asylum seekers and refugees

Day time Programme

Child & Family Centre

• Based in Govan

• Key objective: – play a role in breaking the poverty cycle.

• Five staff members and volunteers provide:

– a nursery to 36 children

– a parent/toddler group to a further 20

– a wide range of parenting classes

Why?

• Social Action isn’t a subset of the gospel

• Anticipation what is to come in full• First fruits of the Kingdom

• “faith if not accompanied by action is dead”James 2:14-17

You can help

• Church Toolkits• Fundraise• Come for a tour• Regular Food donations• Legacy• One-off Giving / Regular Giving• Volunteer • Pray

Film

Original Edited

Supporting vulnerable people and disadvantaged

families since 1826