Liz Murphy- Central Region
A Heart that Sees Others
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
October 18, 2014 will mark the 6th year that
Prince of Peace (PoP) Lutheran Church,
Springfield, VA
has held its “All For 1” community sale.
Each year over 5,000 gently used items are collected, stored in a donated moving van,
and sold to the church’s surrounding neighbors for $1 each, regardless of each item’s value.
The name “All For 1” refers to the blessings shoppers receive through the opportunity to purchase quality items at this $1 price tag and to the opportunity volunteers have to serve the “one”, Jesus Christ.
Our shoppers are people served through our ethnic outreach ministries,
people receiving services through our local county public schools’ and human services’ social workers as well as church neighbors
in the greater Springfield area.
Our volunteer teams are the
praying, hauling, lifting,
shelf building, item sorting,
display rack assembling, furniture pick up,
item displaying, sign making,
counting & cashiering,
time and $ accounting,
refreshment serving, unloading,
packing (again), and vacuuming saints.
They make this 6 week prep and Sale day
a tangible expression
of Jesus Christ’s love for all of us.
It is truly a Spirit-led event.
Our shoppers are able to clothe their families,
furnish their homes,
and select quality books and toys
for their children at a price they can afford.
“This is a ministry that tires one’s body and nourishes the soul.
It is amazing to see how much stuff
we have donated to us
and how thrilled people are to find their
$1 treasures”, says a dedicated server.
“Thank you for the opportunity to serve”
is another frequent comment.
Our donors are members of Prince of Peace,
families enrolled in our preschool,
and friends and neighbors of both groups.
“Through this ministry,
we are able to “let go” of our stuff,
to part with items that we no longer need,
or have in abundance” explained one giver.
Over and over again through this ministry we have seen how the Holy Spirit connects
our donors with many of our shoppers.
On the day of sale,
the Holy Spirit did His best work-
connecting a furniture donor
with an excited family of 4.
Our donor backed up to the outdoor selling area to unload (with the help of many) a large armoire.
The eager family ran to the furniture and asked “How much?”. They were thrilled to hear the incredible price of $1.
Their joy quickly faded as they realized they had
no means of getting it home.
Our donor had not yet left the area.
Overhearing the discussion, he quickly offered to drive them and the furniture home.
The giver and receiver had come together.
Both had been richly blessed.
God, our ultimate partner in this ministry,
is inspiring us to take the “trailer sale”
to another level-
to create a “virtual trailer”,
whereby we would connect donors and recipients with specifically needed items throughout the entire year by using our www.allfor1sale.org website. Perhaps this may include:
item picker uppers and deliverers.
For more information about starting your church’s “All For 1” Ministry, feel free to contact Liz Murphy at
Murphyzil@verizon.net.
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly. Peter 5:2-3
Blessings,
Liz
Liz Murphy is a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Springfield, Virginia.
She lives out her favorite Micah 6:8 verse:
"He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy
And to walk humbly with your God?"
