Gracanica Church Board of Directors would like to take this opportunity to thank all the supporters of Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Church! Your donations and all the time volunteered to help in so many ways is what sustains and helps us offer wonderful programs and with building repairs and maintenance of our beautiful Gracanica Church.
We earnestly appreciate your ongoing support and it is because of your support that we can continue with our mission as the Church. We also want to let you know we are here for you. If there is ever anything we can do for you and your family, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Giving As Worship
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In this time of the pandemic not only did we find ourselves locked in our homes, but we are also looking for different ways to worship God. Little did we pay attention to, but our regular giving as Christians into the treasury of the church is an expression of worship to God? Money has somehow become a taboo in the Church, but it has always been an important way of worship.
How is the giving a type of worship? Well, we must remind ourselves that our Orthodox Christian worship essentially is giving gratitude (Eucharist) to God, expression of love – from man, the creature, to his Creator. One aspect of giving thanks or offering love can entail the presentation of gifts.
However, we must also know that Almighty God, being entirely self-sufficient, requires no gift from frail humanity to sustain him in any way. He is not “served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything” (Acts 17:25; cf. Psalm 50:10-12; Romans 11:35). By the same token he is not in need of our prayers, fasting, love or anything else for that matter. But, following His directions, if we do all that out of true love, not expecting anything in return (not even from God, for it is said: Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you, Mt. 6:33),still we do it only hoping that God will accept our humble sacrifice. As much as it is hard to humble ourselves in good times, now at this time when the entire world is humbled, we realize how the change comes instantly and how humbling our reality can be.
Consider this: It is written that sacrifices to the Lord are “gifts” (Numbers 18:11; cf. Hebrews 5:1).
The Wisemen from the east worshipped the New Born Jesus, their devotion was manifested in the form of “gifts” (Matthew 2:11).
When the Philippian saints gave their money for the support of Apsotle Paul, God viewed it as “an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).
When Apostle Paul was asking for collections he said: “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have” (2. Cor. 8:12).
“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” That is a worship pleasing to God.
We earnestly appreciate your ongoing support and it is because of your support that we can continue with our mission as the Church. We also want to let you know we’re here for you. If there’s ever anything we can do for you and your family, don’t hesitate to reach out. You are a valued member of our church family. And your financial support is making a difference.
May God bless you and keep you and your family safe during these trying times.
Rev. Vladimir Vranic
Donate by Credit Card, PayPal, Pre-Authorized Debit and E-Transfer
Your donations can now be made by credit card or via PayPal. You may set up a one-time donation or a re-occurring monthly donation.
Your donations can be automatically debited from your bank account. Print and fill out the Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) Agreement Form, bring it to Church with a void cheque, or submit via email.
Donation or membership payments can also be made by e-Transfer to: treasurer@gracanicawindsor.com
Pre-Authorized Debit Form
Non-Electronic Donation Options
- Donations may be dropped off at the Church office at 1960 Meldrum Road
- Dropped off with a board member
- or mailed, please view the contact page
Questions? Email the treasurer