Serving God Beyond the Church

Brighton First, in cooperation with many county churches, serves residents in emergency need. Churches are connected in ministry through Love INC. Members of Brighton First's congregation have many stories of reaching out to help others. The following article recently appeared in a Love INC news update. It is a story from a Brighton First congregation member:

A Bedding Ministry Volunteer recently shared the following story with us: A gentleman came to their church's ministry to pick up some bedding. At that time the volunteer offered to pray with the client before he left and the client declined.

A few weeks later the same volunteer saw the gentleman at the grocery store. He told her that when he had originally picked up the bedding items he wanted to say yes to prayer. When the volunteer heard this she asked if he would like prayer. He said yes and they ended up praying in the middle of the cereal aisle for him and his situation.

Praise God for the opportunity to give the gift of prayer wherever and whenever it is needed. And praise God for congregation members emboldened by the Holy Spirit to offer the gift!

Serving God Beyond the Church

Brighton First, in cooperation with many county churches, serves residents in emergency need. Churches are connected in ministry through Love INC. Members of Brighton First's congregation have many stories of reaching out to help others. The following article recently appeared in a Love INC news update. It is a story from a Brighton First congregation member:

A Bedding Ministry Volunteer recently shared the following story with us: A gentleman came to their church's ministry to pick up some bedding. At that time the volunteer offered to pray with the client before he left and the client declined.

A few weeks later the same volunteer saw the gentleman at the grocery store. He told her that when he had originally picked up the bedding items he wanted to say yes to prayer. When the volunteer heard this she asked if he would like prayer. He said yes and they ended up praying in the middle of the cereal aisle for him and his situation.

Praise God for the opportunity to give the gift of prayer wherever and whenever it is needed. And praise God for congregation members emboldened by the Holy Spirit to offer the gift!

Christian Charity Challenge

On Sunday, May 21, I preached about depending on God's Holy Spirit. I suggested that if we want to see the Holy Spirit in action, all we need to do is look to the transformational activities of God's people. When we depend on God, both individually and communally, the Spirit will move us to remarkable acts in the name of Jesus.

As 9:30 am worshiper left the church they found a woman with a small child at the front door, a cardboard sign in hand, asking for money. At the same time, there was a man and two small boys standing at the lower level entrance with a cardboard sign, also asking for money.
I heard from parishioners about our guests very quickly. I'm grateful for members of the congregation that invited the man and woman and their children in to receive food. I am grateful that the woman and her child accepted the invitation.


Here are thoughts that I've shared with congregation members this week. First, a gift is a gift. When we determine to help people in need, it is not our role to determine their worthiness or control how a gift will be used. If we are moved to give a gift, then we just give it, no questions asked.


Second, Brighton First has prayerfully made a decision to help those in need in a very specific way. We have served in partnership with Love INC for over 20 years. Love INC coordinates the efforts of 60 Livingston County churches to meet the emergency needs of residents. Love INC works with individuals and families who are in need of emergency shelter, food, laundry supplies, furniture, bedding and gasoline. Love INC also helps families with appliance and auto repair.Ultimately, we rely on the guidance of God's Spirit as individuals and as a community of faith to care for God's people. We pray that we act in ways that honor God and God's creation


The couple was asked to stop asking for money at the entrances to the church. When the man was approached, he gathered the family together and they drove away in a van.

How do we help the poor, especially the poor who stand before us and tell us their specific needs? Brighton First congregation members were faced with that difficult question on Sunday morning after hearing a message about depending on God's Spirit for guidance. 

Brighton First offers two ministries through Love INC, gasoline vouchers to a local gas station and bedding. We provide over $300 in gasoline per month for emergency needs. We give out bedding to families on a weekly basis.

People who need assistance stop by our church regularly. Church staff members assist those in need of resources by getting them connected with Love INC. There, intake volunteers assess their needs and send them to the churches with the appropriate resources. We are committed to treating all people in need with dignity and helping through the consortium of Love INC churches.

On Sunday morning, the man and woman who asked for money received the offer of food and the contact numbers for Love INC and the emergency aid number sponsored by United Way, #211. This is the way that Brighton First offers consistent, compassionate care to those in need. It may not be the ideal for those who have a heart brimming with generosity or for people who would prefer an immediate gift of money, but we believe is a response that gets important resources to those in need. 

Christian Charity Challenge

On Sunday, May 21, I preached about depending on God's Holy Spirit. I suggested that if we want to see the Holy Spirit in action, all we need to do is look to the transformational activities of God's people. When we depend on God, both individually and communally, the Spirit will move us to remarkable acts in the name of Jesus.

As 9:30 am worshiper left the church they found a woman with a small child at the front door, a cardboard sign in hand, asking for money. At the same time, there was a man and two small boys standing at the lower level entrance with a cardboard sign, also asking for money.
I heard from parishioners about our guests very quickly. I'm grateful for members of the congregation that invited the man and woman and their children in to receive food. I am grateful that the woman and her child accepted the invitation.


Here are thoughts that I've shared with congregation members this week. First, a gift is a gift. When we determine to help people in need, it is not our role to determine their worthiness or control how a gift will be used. If we are moved to give a gift, then we just give it, no questions asked.


Second, Brighton First has prayerfully made a decision to help those in need in a very specific way. We have served in partnership with Love INC for over 20 years. Love INC coordinates the efforts of 60 Livingston County churches to meet the emergency needs of residents. Love INC works with individuals and families who are in need of emergency shelter, food, laundry supplies, furniture, bedding and gasoline. Love INC also helps families with appliance and auto repair. Ultimately, we rely on the guidance of God's Spirit as individuals and as a community of faith to care for God's people. We pray that we act in ways that honor God and God's creation


The couple was asked to stop asking for money at the entrances to the church. When the man was approached, he gathered the family together and they drove away in a van.

How do we help the poor, especially the poor who stand before us and tell us their specific needs? Brighton First congregation members were faced with that difficult question on Sunday morning after hearing a message about depending on God's Spirit for guidance. 

Brighton First offers two ministries through Love INC, gasoline vouchers to a local gas station and bedding. We provide over $300 in gasoline per month for emergency needs. We give out bedding to families on a weekly basis.

People who need assistance stop by our church regularly. Church staff members assist those in need of resources by getting them connected with Love INC. There, intake volunteers assess their needs and send them to the churches with the appropriate resources. We are committed to treating all people in need with dignity and helping through the consortium of Love INC churches.

On Sunday morning, the man and woman who asked for money received the offer of food and the contact numbers for Love INC and the emergency aid number sponsored by United Way, #211. This is the way that Brighton First offers consistent, compassionate care to those in need. It may not be the ideal for those who have a heart brimming with generosity or for people who would prefer an immediate gift of money, but we believe is a response that gets important resources to those in need. 

Team Collaboration Creates Strong Mission

Ginger VanBlaricum displays twin bed cover
made from cloth shower curtains.

Every Tuesday morning, Brighton First hosts members of the community who are in need of bedding linens. Hundreds of people have been served through this ministry. Fortunately, we do not work alone, but are blessed by the collaborative assistance of many.

Our church is part of the church consortium, Love INC, whose mission is to spread Christ's love to the residents of Livingston County and to meet emergency needs. Several years ago, members of Brighton First agreed to be part of the ministry by supplying vouchers for gas and bedding supplies.

The bedding ministry is coordinated by Ginger VanBlaricum, Joanne Richardson and Carolyn Facione. They collect new and gently used bedding, make sure that it is clean and in good condition, and disperse the bedding to individuals and families.

We give thanks for the generosity of members of the Brighton First Congregation who have offered bedding, including sheets, blankets, comforters and pillows, for this ministry.

Members of Shepherd of the Lakes Church
sew bed quilts using scraps from Brighton
First's Prayers and Squares ministry.

We celebrate collaborative efforts that supply the bedding ministry. Several area churches hold bedding drives for the bedding ministry. Our United Methodist Women asked for the donation of pillows and bedding at an event they hosted. Our Prayers and Squares prayer quilt ministry sends sewing scraps to quilters at Shepherd of the Lakes Church and that group uses them and sheets donated by Bed, Bath and Beyond to make scrap quilts for the bedding ministry. Carol Glenn, a member of Brighton First, uses donated sheets from Bed, Bath, and Beyond to make pillow cases.

Recently, Milford United Methodist Church joined in the collaborative effort. There has been a shortage of twin bed quilts for men and boys. Ginger VanBlaricum, who volunteers at the Love INC warehouse, noted that the local Bed, Bath and Beyond store had donated many cloth shower curtains. She asked members of the Milford church if they could find a way to turn the shower curtains into twin bed quilts. They created beautiful bed covers.

In another creative effort to supply twin quilts, Ginger and Joanne Richardson are modifying sofa covers and creating bedspreads.

When families come to Brighton First in need of bedding, they choose from a large selection of colorful comforters and quilts, as well as sheets, pillow cases, mattress covers and pillows because of the collaborative efforts of the Brighton First congregation and many other community members.

Team Collaboration Creates Strong Mission

Ginger VanBlaricum displays twin bed cover
made from cloth shower curtains.

Every Tuesday morning, Brighton First hosts members of the community who are in need of bedding linens. Hundreds of people have been served through this ministry. Fortunately, we do not work alone, but are blessed by the collaborative assistance of many.

Our church is part of the church consortium, Love INC, whose mission is to spread Christ's love to the residents of Livingston County and to meet emergency needs. Several years ago, members of Brighton First agreed to be part of the ministry by supplying vouchers for gas and bedding supplies.

The bedding ministry is coordinated by Ginger VanBlaricum, Joanne Richardson and Carolyn Facione. They collect new and gently used bedding, make sure that it is clean and in good condition, and disperse the bedding to individuals and families.

We give thanks for the generosity of members of the Brighton First Congregation who have offered bedding, including sheets, blankets, comforters and pillows, for this ministry.

Members of Shepherd of the Lakes Church
sew bed quilts using scraps from Brighton
First's Prayers and Squares ministry.

We celebrate collaborative efforts that supply the bedding ministry. Several area churches hold bedding drives for the bedding ministry. Our United Methodist Women asked for the donation of pillows and bedding at an event they hosted. Our Prayers and Squares prayer quilt ministry sends sewing scraps to quilters at Shepherd of the Lakes Church and that group uses them and sheets donated by Bed, Bath and Beyond to make scrap quilts for the bedding ministry. Carol Glenn, a member of Brighton First, uses donated sheets from Bed, Bath, and Beyond to make pillow cases.

Recently, Milford United Methodist Church joined in the collaborative effort. There has been a shortage of twin bed quilts for men and boys. Ginger VanBlaricum, who volunteers at the Love INC warehouse, noted that the local Bed, Bath and Beyond store had donated many cloth shower curtains. She asked members of the Milford church if they could find a way to turn the shower curtains into twin bed quilts. They created beautiful bed covers.

In another creative effort to supply twin quilts, Ginger and Joanne Richardson are modifying sofa covers and creating bedspreads.

When families come to Brighton First in need of bedding, they choose from a large selection of colorful comforters and quilts, as well as sheets, pillow cases, mattress covers and pillows because of the collaborative efforts of the Brighton First congregation and many other community members.