Shepherd's Heart 10/25/24
I love everything about the fall season including sunny days, cool nights, and watching the leaves change to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. I love wearing my boots and cozy sweaters and enjoy fall favorites like hot apple cider and donuts. This time of year, I also have joyful anticipation for the season ahead. My heart is always filled with the spirit of Thanksgiving when we are invited to reflect upon what God has generously given us. Breathe in our lungs, a warm house, food on the table, abundant resources, and the greatest gift of all, Jesus! In response, our gratitude overflows as we look outwardly to share our abundance with those around us. The spirit of Thanksgiving provides a glimpse into the Kingdom at work. So how do we participate in the work God is already doing in this season? Let’s begin with a simple shoebox.
FOR OUR WORLD
It is shoebox season, and you can pick up your Operation Christmas Child shoebox starting this Sunday. These are distributed worldwide to children living in extreme poverty in over 100 countries. It is fun for all ages to fill a simple shoebox with toys, school supplies, and personal care items as a tangible expression of God's love. Especially, realizing for many of these children, it will be the only gift they receive. Each child is also provided with "The Greatest Gift" a colorful, child-friendly presentation of the Gospel in their language. Now that is a gift with eternal impact! Return your shoebox by November 17.
Another opportunity is to help fill a bag of food! On the other side of the world, in Nairobi Kenya, are 240 children we care deeply about at Cherish Watoto. Their school year is coming to a close after the November national exams. While approximately 60 children live at Cherish, most of our students return home to their families in the surrounding slums until the new school year begins in January. We were devastated to learn that most children would go without a daily meal as families in Nairobi struggle to live on about $2.00 a day. We want to close this gap! This season, help us fill bags of food which will be distributed to each family during the holiday break. This impactful gift is truly life-sustaining and an opportunity we believe that God has invited us into.
FOR OUR NEIGHBORS
And right here at home, we partner with incredible organizations to help neighbors in need. This Thanksgiving we will be working with Bridge Communities to help stock their pantry with critical need items not covered by WIC/SNAP cards to benefit homeless and low-income families in transitional housing programs. And, at Christmas, we partner with DuPage Care Center and Lutheran Social Services to share God’s love with some of the most vulnerable in our community so they do not feel forgotten this Season.
Friends, I look forward with joyful anticipation, to the season ahead! Our collective gifts are making a tremendous impact in our community and around the world. What a joy to partner with you in this and any season! Look for details about each giving opportunity in the weeks ahead.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1
With joy for the journey!
Jeannine Allen
Missional Engagement Executive Minister
FOR OUR WORLD
It is shoebox season, and you can pick up your Operation Christmas Child shoebox starting this Sunday. These are distributed worldwide to children living in extreme poverty in over 100 countries. It is fun for all ages to fill a simple shoebox with toys, school supplies, and personal care items as a tangible expression of God's love. Especially, realizing for many of these children, it will be the only gift they receive. Each child is also provided with "The Greatest Gift" a colorful, child-friendly presentation of the Gospel in their language. Now that is a gift with eternal impact! Return your shoebox by November 17.
Another opportunity is to help fill a bag of food! On the other side of the world, in Nairobi Kenya, are 240 children we care deeply about at Cherish Watoto. Their school year is coming to a close after the November national exams. While approximately 60 children live at Cherish, most of our students return home to their families in the surrounding slums until the new school year begins in January. We were devastated to learn that most children would go without a daily meal as families in Nairobi struggle to live on about $2.00 a day. We want to close this gap! This season, help us fill bags of food which will be distributed to each family during the holiday break. This impactful gift is truly life-sustaining and an opportunity we believe that God has invited us into.
FOR OUR NEIGHBORS
And right here at home, we partner with incredible organizations to help neighbors in need. This Thanksgiving we will be working with Bridge Communities to help stock their pantry with critical need items not covered by WIC/SNAP cards to benefit homeless and low-income families in transitional housing programs. And, at Christmas, we partner with DuPage Care Center and Lutheran Social Services to share God’s love with some of the most vulnerable in our community so they do not feel forgotten this Season.
Friends, I look forward with joyful anticipation, to the season ahead! Our collective gifts are making a tremendous impact in our community and around the world. What a joy to partner with you in this and any season! Look for details about each giving opportunity in the weeks ahead.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1
With joy for the journey!
Jeannine Allen
Missional Engagement Executive Minister
Posted in Shepherds Heart