On June 7th we will hold our Annual Rummage Sale.  This is one of our three significant fundraisers in support of the ministries and missions of our church.
 Obvious is the fact that our profits are related to the number of treasures that we all provide so you are encouraged to probe into the dark corners of your garages, closets and attics to uncover those items that we will sell.  Equally important is the involvement of many in preparing for the sale by sorting, pricing before the sale and selling on the day of the sale.

Here are a few dates and details:
•    May 31st is the day for large item pick-up. (If you can help or need to have items picked up, call the office.)
•    The sale on June 7th will be from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
•    At 6:00 AM on the morning of the sale we will move large items outside.
•    On June 1st we will move items from the Fellowship Hall to the various rooms where they will be sold.
•    May 26th collection begins and you can deliver your items to the church.
•    On any day you can help sort and price so please come when you can.
•    It will be most helpful if you can sign up for the hours when you can help out.
•    On June 5th or 6th (watch for the exact date and time) we will set up the large tent.

Several years ago prior to our rummage sale I preached a sermon out of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount when he said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Mt. 6:19)  I said, “That’s why each year we hold a rummage sale; so that we can rid ourselves of our accumulated earthly treasures.”  
I know that next week when I clean my garage Jesus will once again come to mind as I remember that Jesus was right.  The odds and ends that I have treasured have little value at all.  My inclination to keep everything results in little more than having to park my car increasingly closer to the garage door.  It becomes apparent that if we don’t hold an annual rummage sale I’ll not be able to close that door.

Jesus knew that with the accumulation of stuff there comes the distracting necessity to protect, sort, polish, maintain, and shelter all of it with diminishing attention given to the matters that matter the most.

As the congregation of Arapaho United Methodist Church we do a noteworthy job of matters that matter the most.  We provide significant settings where people form and nurture a right relationship with God.  We fashion a broad spectrum of opportunities where we can serve God by serving others.  We fulfill our commitment to see to it that children are raised without a doubt about how loved they are by God and others, and how they have countless reasons to love themselves.  We explore ideas about God and the companionship of God.  The substance of our ministry is like treasure in heaven.

Interesting, I think, is the fact that the rummage sale doesn’t just give us an occasion to clean our garages and attics.  It also allows us the means whereby we transform that which we once treasured into treasures for others.  The items that we bring to the church for sale in the days ahead may no longer interest us but they will allow others to find them interesting and useful.  I am always pleased to see how many people find joy in “just what they were looking for.”  I see families able to afford good clothing especially for their children.

And, with the funds that we are able to generate we sustain the ministries of the church.  Each year we raise between $10,000 and $14,000.  Through the work that we do together in God’s name countless treasures are accumulated in heaven—just as Jesus said.  Please help as you  are able.

Shalom,
Jack