Palm Sunday is the start of Passion, or Holy Week, for Christians across the world.
For one church in Arlington it was the opportunity to show its passion for giving back to the community.
Palm Sunday services at Lake Arlington Baptist Church (LABC) were like most services, featuring songs and sermons.
But being handed $100 bills after the service, that was certainly a first.
"I really didn't think it was real at first," said David Tribble, a LABC parishioner.
It's not a reward, but rather, as Sr. Pastor Eric Herrstrom said, it's a chance to do something rewarding.
"This is a way that as a church that we can give back into our community and invest in people's lives that have needs," Herrstrom said.
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The church gave out $25,000, splitting it among 250 families, to invest in the community. While some were a bit surprised the church's overage fund was so ample, they quickly took to the idea.
"God tells us to give and you will receive," said Jan Warneking. "And we will all definitely receive one way or another. I just think it's really a great thing."
Many in the congregation already had ideas on how to use the money the second they were handed their $100 bill.
"We will meet up with people, give them gas money to come to church," said Pam Embry. "Whatever they need."
"We have some people in mind, but we're just going to keep praying about it and see where God leads," Erin Tribble said.
Wherever the money goes, Pastor Herrstrom hopes it will lead his congregation and others to follow the path of generosity.
"If they can learn how to give away the resources they already have, even after we’ve seeded that, then this giving trend will go beyond the $100 we give them today," he said. "We want them to continue to be generous and servant minded and give way beyond this week."
