A NOTE FROM SHARI SWANSON
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. - Lamentations 3:22-23
Over the last few weeks, God has been reminding me of His faithfulness throughout my entire life. One time that has really stood out was when He directed me to attend BCC in the fall of 1994. I had two littles (ages 1 and 3) and was navigating my way through my mom’s battle with Leukemia while working part-time. Little did I know things were going to get a whole lot harder. About six months after we started attending BCC, my now-deceased husband was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Six months after that diagnosis, my mom lost her battle with cancer.
To say it was a difficult time is an understatement. And, I didn’t really have a relationship with Jesus, which made the devastation even worse.
When we received my husband’s initial diagnosis, we told family and close friends, but didn’t even consider telling the church. I remember feeling such fear and anxiety and wanting to be so strong for my husband, as well as my daughters. The Sunday after my husband’s surgery, I did ask for prayer and figured that was where the support would end. I could not have been more wrong.
BCC rallied around my family in ways I didn’t even know I needed. Meals were provided, errands were run, home repairs were made, childcare was offered, and prayers and visits from pastors and an elder were made. We had so much support that when my husband had to have a second surgery, BCC was the first phone call I made. Then, when my husband lost his battle, BCC showed up with even more amazing support. I honestly would not have made it through without this church.
I tell you my story to ask you this: Would you be willing to be part of our care team that supports people when they are struggling?
Perhaps you love to cook. Would you be part of our meal team?
Maybe you are really handy with home repairs. Would you like to offer your talents to those in need?
Do you like to encourage others? You could join our care team to make phone calls, visit people and/or write notes to those who need a kind word.
Does your heart go out to people who are grieving? We have a place where you can walk alongside someone who is in that season.
Do you have a passion to pray for others? You could sign up to be part of our E-Prayer team and receive prayer request emails
As a family of believers, we need the love and support of one another, so if you are feeling your heart stirred to be part of our care team where we can support one another in real tangible ways, please email me sharis@beaverton.cc.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. - 2 Corinthians 1:4