watershed: a community church in Stoughton, Wisconsin

The watershed family experienced a beautiful day today. During our regular gathering time, we divided into small groups and gave each group $30 and one hour to go out and serve or bless someone. Adults and children alike headed out to make a tangible difference in someone's life, honoring them and sharing the love and grace of Christ with them. Afterward, we gathered back together to share our stories and pray together for the people and needs of Stoughton.

While there are needs around us everyday, it's easy to move past them or fail to recognize them. Today's groups discovered the following opportunities, and we noted that each of these things happened with people or circumstances we already knew about, but had not yet acted upon. None of these were planned in advance. Isn't it great to see how much we can do when we invest a little attention and time?

• The farmer that rents one family's land lost his 13 year old daughter in an accident in one of their barns a month ago.This weekend they are taking that barn down. The group bought a meal and went to visit the family, sharing in the difficult moment the family is in.
• A friend is expecting a baby next week. As a young single mom, she has several needs, and the group helped provide for some of the ongoing needs like diapers, wipes, nursing supplies, and a special gift for the mom.
• One family connected with the Salvation Army in Madison to help provide food for people in need.
• Several people from the watershed family have developed a relationship with the people at Head Start in Stoughton. One group provided some fall cleanup at their building, and provided some pumpkins for the kids and staff to decorate together.
• We are friends with a young man who has some special needs. His food and health needs are provided for him, but his minimal income makes it difficult to meet all of the other needs in his life. He mentioned that he needed clothes for work, so we were able to help him get several new clothing items, and a new "Wisconsin" hat, of course. :)

Isaiah 52:7 announces: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" It was a remarkable day - bringing the good news of our God in both words and tangible actions.

How could you make someone's day beautiful tomorrow?