February 3, 2019

Love Offering on Sunday, February 17

I tell you the truth, when you helped one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were helping me! (Matthew 25:40)

Sisters, Brothers, Friends in Christ,

In my Doctor of Ministry project, I present a model of church growth for smaller congregations that I call Connection Ministry. It has two components: spiritual growth and community outreach growth. I will talk about spiritual growth in other newsletter articles. This week I want to talk a little about community outreach growth. The purpose of a community outreach ministry is to connect and build relationships with the people in a church’s community. As a church builds these relationships, it is seen as a relevant part of the community, and as a congregation who cares about and wants to be part of addressing the needs of people outside the church.

Here at Lynnhurst we are building relationships with our community in several ways including through our support of the South Louisville Community Ministries, PAL and the Boy Scouts. A couple of weeks ago a gentleman came to the office looking for food to feed his grandchildren over the weekend. I gave him the milk and OJ from our kitchen and a couple of cans of vegetables from our supply closet. I wished I could have done more to help him.

I shared this story with the Consistory. The Consistory has agreed to start a ministry that I am calling Helping Hands. Helping Hands will provide $10 gas and food gift cards to people who come the office looking for help. The church office will keep a file with a copy of each person’s state ID or Driver’s license, and allow families to get a gas and food card once every six months.

In addition, I encourage you to continue to put food items in the shopping cart in the hallway. These items are given to South Louisville Community Ministries food bank every week.

We are asking for your help through donating gift cards. We will have a Love Offering on Sunday, February 17. On that Sunday we will collect $10 gift cards from Sav-a-lot, BP gas station and Marathon gas station. Thank you for your help in serving and feeding our neighbors.

Blessings on the journey,

Pastor Monica