Calvary Lutheran Church

Jacksonville, NC

Phone: 910-353-4016                                                            

E-mail: calvarylutheran@embarqmail.com

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PRAISE GOD!  Again Calvary has opened their hearts and shown the true meaning of “CHRISTMAS LOVE”

  The Board of Stewardship and the Human Care Ministry Board combined their energies in organizing the adoption of a Christmas Family.  A former Calvary member Ms. Starr Peele, an Assistance Organizer for the Salvation Army provided us with a family.  The father of this family is a recent widower raising 4 young children ages 10, 4, 3 and 2.  He works in the timbering business (hard work, long hours).  Fortunately his sister takes care of the children while he works.  It was a blessing to be put in contact with a family that is struggling to keep coping with their life and thanking and praising God for their blessings.

 It was decided that Calvary would put up an “Angel Tree” for members to choose what gift they could provide for the children.  Thanks to new member, Judy White, for preparing the “Christmas Tree Angels”. Thanks also to all the members that filled in the ages and sizes on the angels while waiting for soup and sandwiches (you really worked for your supper). The angels were taped on the wall.  (A learning experience; tape does not attach things to our concrete walls very well.)

After a few trials and errors, our tree was ready for the congregation to pick and choose.  It WAS very successful. The response to this appeal was overwhelming.  This congregation’s capacity to open their hearts and show love for those less fortunate is a reflection of the love that our Lord has blessed “HIS” children with.  Isn’t it great to know our service has been done as a reflection of the gift freely given to us?

Our family was invited to come to the church on Thursday evening, Dec. 20th, to pick up the gifts.  I personally packed a 55 gallon plastic bag up to the brim (it should have been red instead of black).  There were enough gifts left over to cover one of our white tables.  The Council meeting was interrupted so those in attendance could transfer the gifts and hustle like Elves doing a different phase of God’s work.  The sister’s SUV was filled!

I have no idea how the children reacted to our Gifts of Love, but I do know how this Family of Christ responded to a need.  It is not the first time you have opened your hearts and I know it will not be the last.

May the blessings of this New Year be so many you lose count of them!

In His service,

  Stewardship & Human Care Ministry

Two Vital Components of a Stewardship Ministry:

    1. We return a tenth to God in recognition of His divine ownership, but to Him belongs the nine-tenths also: this entrusts to us to administer.

    2. The mission budget of a congregation is often referred to as its spiritual thermometer. When churches invest heavily in the work of saving souls the world over they give evidence that they have caught the spirit of the Master.