Social Action Ministry Team: Local and Glocal Missions

Being the hands and feet of Christ in our community.

Mark 12:31:  Love your neighbor as yourself.

Help for Homeless at Safe Harbor – Salvation Army Shelter: www.sabloomington.org  829-7399

On January 25, RJ and Kathy Whitworth and I cooked a meal provided with St. John’s programming budget funding  to the homeless at Safe Harbor.  As around 60 lined up for the meal, there was total silence after some shushed others to listen up so I could give the prayer.  In that moment, I realized God had command of that room.  Every hat was removed and head bowed.   The majority coming thru the food line showed striking humbleness and politeness in behavior, including the toughest looking in the group.  Even with a number of downcast eyes, they were thanking us.   It’s the residents’ job to do the after-cooking clean-up.  I toured the women’s wing with 16 beds in 1 room.  Men’s wing has 40 beds.  Dinner tables fold up along the walls to provide sleeping for what a resident estimated to be about 40 more.  More sleep in the enclosed entryway.  Bible study class is offered on Sunday mornings. 

 Praise God provided us with the right quantity food to enable many to have second helpings.  As I ate dinner with several, one man asked what church we represented.  He went on to tell me he and several other men were hoping for 3 inches of snow that night.  It would mean they could make a job for themselves in the morning going door-to-door offering to shovel snow in exchange for $10 to $20.  Only 1 inch means no job.  At the end of our talk, this homeless and jobless man told me…God is good.  A handful of residents came back later to tell us:  God bless you for this.  And, indeed, He did.   Can you or your small group lend a hand to grow this ministry?  God’s work..our hands.    Lynn Richmond, TicTocTrumpet@aol.com

Shelter Photos:  RJ & Kathy Whitworth serving dinner to homeless.  Women's dorm room of 16 beds.

Pray for the homeless:  for warmth, comfort, and hope for those without a home; for God to shine His light upon their path for guidance; that St. John’s members will answer the call to provide the time and food to increase our meal service from 6 times a year to a larger number offering new service opportunities. 

Martin Luther:  “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”

Pray for ministry of your Social Action (SA) Team:  Gracious God, inspire us to grow boldly this ministry into generous outreach of our church’s time and talents beyond our walls. Help us to reach out to our neighbors, build loving relationships, and seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in our community.   

Earth Day Weekend Apr. 25:  Go Green at church.  In Exodus 35:  materials used to build the tabernacle all came from recycled donations from the Israelites.  Creator God, you have called us to be stewards of your entire Creation.  Help us to be diligent in our duties that your church may prosper in the mission you place before it.

Pray for SA members to discern God’s will and be good stewards of our resources:  Pastor Elyse, Ruthanne Aves, Sue Stroyan-Bennett, Eric Johnson, Paula Porter, Jill Schulz, Laurie Dennis, RJ Whitworth, Lynn Richmond, Lois Brucker. 

Let Us Help You:  Find a Mission, Pick Your Passion:  Habitat for Humanity – May thru Fall; Blood Drives twice a year; Food Drives; Battery Recycling at Welcome Centers; Lutheran World Relief – ongoing; Hopedale Growing Project – fall; and more.  Glocal:  new buzzword meaning local mission outreach with global impact. 

Invite to join our Missions Team:  Meetings are first Tues. of month 5:15 – 6:15 pm.  Contact Pastor Elyse 827-6121.  Email:  pastorenelsonwinger@stjohnsbloomington.org. 

Please notify if you would like to be removed from email listing.