Churchgoers often are asked during the holidays to put a little extra in the collection plate for those who are in need.

But at a Depew church Sunday, congregants were given money instead -- and asked to reflect on how it could best be spent.

Envelopes, each containing a $100 bill and a letter of explanation, were distributed to families and individuals older than 18 near the end of the service at The Vine Wesleyan Church.

It didn't matter whether the recipient was a regular worshipper or a guest.

 About $8,500 was distributed. Families with college-age children received more than one envelope.

"As the Bible says, 'It's more blessed to give than to receive,'" the Rev. Christopher Baldwin, pastor at The Vine, said in a telephone interview after the Sunday service.

In a show of faith, the letter accompanying each $100 bill stated, in part:

"Traditionally we have taken a special offering at Christmas Eve and we have sent it to a Christ-centered ministry. This year the needs are greater than ever in so many places including for some of us [in] our own families.

"In lieu of taking a Christmas Eve offering this year we're going to give back to you so that you can meet a need in your own life or the life or ministry of someone else."

Envelopes were distributed before the closing song. Baldwin said he asked congregants not to open them before he had finished speaking; some people tucked them into Bibles or purses.

The pastor heard expressions of surprise from those who opened them on their way out.

"Some came back into the church and said, 'Thank you so much,'" Baldwin related.

Marilyn Dukat, of Cheektowaga, said that her family waited until going out for dinner to open their envelope. The pastor had mentioned that it contained money, she said, but the amount was a surprise.

"We just sat there, dumbfounded," Dukat said.

An offshoot of Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church in Clarence, one of the largest evangelical Protestant churches in Western New York, The Vine was established in 2005 with 100 people and has grown to about 170 members.

"God has really blessed us as a church," Baldwin said, noting that the congregation moved into its new home on Penora Street in September after spending years in rented space.

In years past, holiday offerings received by the church have been sent to places devastated by natural disasters, including Haiti and Myanmar. The decision to give money to the congregation was made by the church's administrative board, Baldwin said.

"Rather than just talking about loving others, the leadership of the church decided to equip its church with the funds to love practically," the pastor said. "We also just felt it was a great opportunity to get our people involved in being a blessing."

The Christmas Eve offering is the church's only formal collection. Otherwise, it maintains an offering box.

"You give as God enables or empowers you," Baldwin said.

Dukat called the twist on holiday church giving "a huge step of faith."

"It was a God-inspired step for the board to take. It was just a God-filled service today," she recalled, saying how people talked about how they were blessed by the Lord.

Dukat family members will pray about where the money will go and plan to add to it.

They are not alone in taking a gift from The Vine with such a thankful spirit.

Karen Fohl, of Lancaster, who attends the church with her husband, Rick, said: "It was a big surprise today, but it was very exciting." She described it as "a way for this church to touch the lives of people right in our community."

She and her husband talked about it, Fohl said, and plan to double the $100 and donate it to the Buffalo City Mission.

"I just know that there are so many people who are hungry and out of work," she said.

The envelopes also contained return postcards. Recipients were asked to respond, anonymously, about how the money was used.

Those postcards will be displayed on a "Giving Tree" in the church to remind the congregation of the people and ministries they've helped.

jhabuda@buffnews.comnull