Special Offerings

Saint Mark Presbyterian Church participates in four special offerings each year.

http://www.pcusa.org/specialofferings/offeringcalendar.pdf

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) — Easter

Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives, and work together to strengthen their families and communities. Recognizing that the hope we have in Christ is lived out in our hope for one another, we respond with gifts that help our sisters and brothers around the world find the hope for a brighter future. 

The Presbyterian Hunger Program receives 36 percent of undesignated One Great Hour of Sharing gifts, while the Self-Development of People and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance each receives 32 percent. Most congregations receive the offering on Easter Sunday, Palm Sunday, or both, while many receive it throughout Lent. Give Here!

Pentecost Offering — May

The Pentecost Offering is traditionally received on the day of Pentecost. It provides a direct way to meet the needs of children at risk, youth, and young adults. Congregations are encouraged to keep 40 percent of the Offering to support ministry with children at risk in their communities. Give Here!

The General Assembly’s portion (60 percent) provides leadership development opportunities for Presbyterian youth and young adults and supports children-at-risk programs at the national level. Since 1998, Presbyterians of all ages have raised over $7 million for these ministries that benefit younger members of God’s family.

Peacemaking — World wide Communion Sunday in October

Support Presbyterian Mission Year-round

The Peacemaking Offering was created in 1980 to support the efforts of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to live out a deeper commitment to peacemaking as part of our faithfulness to God. It is one of four special offerings designated by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s General Assembly.

Most churches receive the Offering on World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday in October, however churches are encouraged to use whatever Sunday works best for them.

Each congregation is also urged to retain 25 percent of the Offering it receives to use for local ministries of peacemaking within the church and its community. Twenty-five percent is used by presbyteries and synods, and 50 percent is used by the General Assembly ministries through the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.

In accordance with the action of the 217th General Assembly, PCUSA encourages congregations to consider directing a portion or all of their 25 percent of the Peacemaking Offering as a faithful Christian response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

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You may also send your gift through your normal receiving agency.

Individuals may send their contributions to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Church Remittance Processing
PO Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

Christmas Joy Offering

Presbyterians have long celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ by giving generously to an Advent offering. A Presbyterian tradition for almost seventy years, fifty percent of the receipts to the Christmas Joy Offering are distributed to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs that provide support to retired and active church workers and their spouses and families. The other fifty percent supports Presbyterian-related racial ethnic education through the National Ministries Division of the General Assembly Council. See a list of the Racial and Ethnic Schools and Colleges here http://www.pcusa.org/resc/ The Christmas Joy Offering is usually received the Sunday before Christmas.

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Saint Mark Presbyterian Church

10701 Old Georgetown Road
North Bethesda, MD 20852
301-530-0600 | Map