Times are tough, especially for Saddleback Church.
Pastor Rick Warren is hoping his Orange County parishioners will do some more giving this holiday season.
Warren says the evangelical megachurch needs $900,000 before tomorrow and is asking his flock to dig deep to help keep the organization out of debt.
"This is an urgent letter unlike any I've written in 30 years," Warren wrote in a letter posted on the church's website. "On the last weekend of 2009, our total offerings were less than half of what we normally receive -- leaving us $900,000 in the red for the year, unless you help make up the difference today and tomorrow."
A church spokesman said the seasonal Christmas donations were down significantly while the need for charity services the church is expected to provide is up.
"Basically, the church is having to do more with less," said A. Larry Ross. 10% of the parishioners are out of work according to the church website.
Warren delivered the invocation at the inauguration of President Barack Obama and generated controversy for his support of California's Proposition 8, which overturned gay marriage. Warren also gained attention for his work in Africa involving AIDS relief and other humanitarian activities.
