Gearing Up for Angel Tree – The Body of Christ at Work

October 11, 2009 by 2 Comments

You may be thinking, Angel Tree already? It’s barely mid-October… True, but this is when the initial work begins for the church coordinators.

Since this is my first year as coordinator, I actually started my preparations even earlier. The past couple of weeks, I’ve been reading my packet of info and going through the box of materials left behind by my friend Amy who died in a tragic car accident in May. Her love for and ability in carrying out Angel Tree leave some mighty big shoes to fill. I’m happy to report, though, that I won’t be filling them on my own.

It just so happens that Angel Tree is one of the areas where our church family shines. Making Angel Tree a success takes an enormous amount of volunteers, and I am recruiting even more to do many of the tasks Amy managed on her own. All I had to do was mention the needs this past week to the ladies in my Bible study group, and several offered their services on the spot.

What a blessing to see the body of Christ at work, pulling together and functioning like God intends. And I’m just seeing the tip of the iceberg right now. The volunteers will really start rolling in when it comes time to buy the gifts and then wrap and deliver them. I’ve seen folks from every age group get in on the action. There’s something for everyone to do where Angel Tree is concerned.

So as I’m gearing up and hopefully getting the initial letters out to the caregivers in the next few days, what is your church gearing up for? Is there a ministry where your church family, as the body of Christ, shines? Tell us about it. It’s always a blessing to hear how the body of Christ is at work!

“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…” Romans 12:4-6a

Filed Under: body, church, missions, new thing, preparation, team

Angel Tree Summer Update

August 9, 2009 by 6 Comments

4948807592_c929696d09_zDid you know that Angel Tree is not just a Christmas ministry? That’s right. Organizations like our church who host an Angel Tree program can further our influence with families of prisoners by also participating in Angel Tree Camping as well as Back-to-School and other outreaches of our choice. Exciting, huh?

One of my May posts (A New Chapter) told how I came to be our church’s Angel Tree Coordinator this summer after the sudden and untimely death of our previous coordinator, Amy, who also happened to be a dear friend of mine. I thought you might enjoy hearing how our Angel Tree program has progressed this summer. As you can imagine, it has been bittersweet to carry on without Amy. She would be so happy, though, to know that prisoners’ families are still receiving our ministry.

Amy had already made the initial contacts for Angel Tree Camping when her accident occurred. After following up with those who showed interest, only one Angel Tree child along with one of his friends were able to attend camp with the kids from our church. At first we were disappointed with only two participating, but joy soon followed as both of these boys asked Jesus to be their Savior while at camp!

Since the camping program has proven to be the most effective way to see kids make decisions for Christ as a result of Angel Tree, it is every bit as important as the Christmas outreach — maybe even more so. If you have a chance to help with Angel Tree Camping in any way, I encourage you to do so. Some in our church donated money for camp fees and others provided needed items to put in the camping backpacks. Finally, our associate pastor, Stephen, bravely acted as sponsor for the boy campers that week. Thanks, Stephen! :)

In June, I sent Father’s Day cards to our Angel Tree prisoner fathers (also a plan that I knew Amy already had in mind). I’ve received three thank-you letters in reply, and two of those men desired ongoing communication and spiritual encouragement. Since it wouldn’t be a good idea for a woman to carry on ongoing correspondence, I’ve made the need known to the men of our church, and so far have one man willing to write to and spiritually encourage one of the prisoners. Pray for him as he reaches out to Adam. Please also pray for another man to hear God’s call to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a prisoner named Bill.

And then there has been Angel Tree Back-to-School. I knew I needed someone to take the reins on this one because much of it needed to be done in July, already a busy time for me since Don is on break that month. I asked my friend (and loyal blog reader!) Lisa if she would be willing to coordinate this project, and she gladly said “yes”. (Thanks, Lisa!) She has done a marvelous job contacting the families, enlisting volunteers to provide backpacks and school supplies, and making sure the children get the appropriate items. Just one more opportunity to touch these special kids with the love of Jesus.

One of the great things about Angel Tree is seeing the church pull together to reach out to hurting families. I plan to enlist major help for the Christmas outreach, so, fellow church members, many more opportunities to serve are ahead. And for those of you who aren’t local, you can help with your prayers. Consider yourselves asked! :)

Any other churches represented out there who participate in Angel Tree? Any doing summer outreaches? Fill us in — let us rejoice with you and pray for you, too!

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow… For we are God’s fellow workers…” 1 Corinthians 3:6, 9a

*Flickr photo by meddygarnet, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: church, giving, help, missions, team, thanks

A New Chapter

May 31, 2009 by 15 Comments

A few days ago, a new challenge took up residence on the landscape otherwise known as my life. God altered my horizon by calling me to a new ministry. Yes, another new chapter for this middle-aged gal :)

If you’ve been following my blog for awhile, you may remember that a little over a year ago, God moved me out of a prayer ministry I had led for my church for over 11 years. At the time, I could only speculate about His reasons, but I wondered if, as I said then, “it could also be that I’m about to enter into a new season of increased demand in some other area — something I can’t see yet but that He can.”

Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy. Months later, without remembering that particular post in the least, I actually wrote about increased demand as we entered such a season with Don’s mother. And now that that demand has eased as her health has somewhat stabilized, I find that God has placed another need, another task, before me.

With the death of my friend Amy, I, along with my church, am feeling her loss in many ways. One of those is the role she filled as our Angel Tree coordinator. You might not think Angel Tree would be on our minds right now, but Amy reached out to prisoners’ children through Angel Tree Camping as well as the Christmas outreach. She had already sent out the invitations for kids to participate in our church camps and had received several positive responses. And thus, the immediate need for someone to fill her role…

The interesting thing? I had talked with Amy a year or two ago about how the Lord had started drawing my heart toward ministry to those in prison. I didn’t know why because we don’t have a prison in our area, but I knew Amy had a similar interest so it was natural to talk with her about it. As I remember, we just decided to keep our common interest in mind if an opportunity presented itself.

Within a couple of days of Amy’s death, I thought of the Angel Tree need, and the question soon came to mind, “Lord, were you preparing my heart to step into Amy’s role as our Angel Tree coordinator?” I began praying about it and asked a few friends and family members to join me in asking God for clear direction. I definitely didn’t want to take on a big job like this if it wasn’t His will for me — or take on something He had in mind for someone else. I wanted His will alone.

God is so good, so faithful, to guide us when we ask for His leading. His Word promises that as we trust in Him, He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Just a few days ago, He gave me the direction, the confirmation, I needed to know that He indeed is calling me to the Angel Tree ministry.

I admit it scares me a little — okay, maybe more than a little :) It will be a challenge to figure out where Amy was in the process by just looking through her materials. I also don’t know what the future holds with Don’s mother and when my schedule may swim out of control again. And to be honest, it would never be my natural choice to take on another big commitment during the holiday season.

But you know, God knows all these things. And still He called. I must trust Him and rest in the fact that He will “equip [me] with everything good for doing his will…” (Hebrews 13:21). He is the one who will accomplish His purposes. He will empower this ministry, just as He did when Amy led it.

And so a new chapter begins for me. I sure could use your prayers. Anyone game? I appreciate each and every one of you!

“See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

Filed Under: missions, new thing, prayer, trust

Sweet Giveaway

January 31, 2008 by 20 Comments

6428296851_a53a4c3385_zSince February is almost upon us, I thought I would kick off the Valentine’s season with an extra sweet giveaway. And no, I’m not just teasing you with a picture of Godiva chocolates — the giveaway is for a $10 Godiva gift card! It’s just enough to get you a few pieces of heavenly delight. If you get into the store and decide you need more, you’re on your own after the $10 limit :)

To be included in the drawing, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post by noon Feb. 13th and follow these guidelines: Be sure to include your name as well as an email address if I don’t know you personally. In your comment tell me your favorite chocolate treat or dessert. If chocolate is not your thing, you won’t be penalized :) Just go ahead and mention your favorite sweet indulgence. I think mine is our family’s chocolate sheet cake with homemade ice cream. I will announce the winner sometime between noon on the 13th and noon on Valentine’s Day. (I sure have fun with these giveaways — hope you do, too!)

I got to play a part in a different kind of “giveaway” on our mission trip to inner city Ft. Worth. Meals, clothing, and toiletries are given away regularly at Beautiful Feet, but our team always brings extra items to give away — full care packs, gloves, Bibles, etc. This year a group of ladies had made tote bags with shoulder straps, and I got to help hand those out between Sunday morning services. The bigger ones, more like duffel bags, proved to be quite a hit because they were large enough to hold a pillow, blanket, and a back pack — a very important feature to those who are homeless and have to carry everything they own.

Everyone showed great appreciation for these duffel bags, but one gentleman in particular touched me deeply with his reaction. After receiving his bag, he sat down and watched as we gave out the others. He had the biggest smile on his face and kept saying “What a blessing this is! What a blessing this is!”

I think this man’s biggest happiness came from seeing others receive their bags. What he didn’t realize is how much I felt humbled and blessed to be in his presence and the presence of so many other inner city folks who freely praised and worshiped God in spite of their impoverished situations. What a treasured experience to fellowship with this part of God’s family — my family — and to be a blessing to them.

Why not try a giveaway yourself during this month for love? Is there someone you could bless in a special way? Don’t forget — when you do this, you are also blessing God.

“God…will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10

*Flickr photo by Daniel Y. Go, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: blessing, chocolate, giveaway, help, missions

Beautiful Feet

January 27, 2008 by Leave a Comment

We just got back from our mission trip to Ft. Worth. Whew! As you can imagine, we’re pretty tired, but I thought I would take a minute to let you know that things went beautifully. Imagine a team of over 90 people going 90 miles an hours from Fri. evening until noon Sunday, reaching out in love to homeless and inner city folks while also helping with construction projects and other needed jobs at the mission. What a rewarding experience. People told us that we blessed them, but you know how that goes — we feel like we’re the ones who got the bigger blessing.

A few years ago after one of our mission trips to Ft. Worth, I wrote a poem about the inner city church where the team serves. Hope you enjoy seeing Beautiful Feet through this poem. In the coming weeks, I may share a few more glimpses of the trip, but for now, here’s a taste of what we experienced this weekend.

Beautiful Feet

There’s a place in Ft. Worth called Beautiful Feet
A place known by all who live on the street,
A hot lunch for free can be found there each day
After food for the soul is served up some way.
You see it’s not just a place, instead it’s a church
Where many find themselves beginning their search
For some shred of hope, a way out of their pain,
For love and acceptance instead of disdain.
Beautiful Feet is a light in a dark lonely world
A beacon of hope like a flag unfurled
For God’s people show love to one and all,
For Jesus is the One upon whom they call.
There are those who serve faithfully day after day,
And those who come yearly to work, share, and pray.
Each one sees God’s power heal and redeem,
The lost and the hurting become part of the team.
Each year Kansas comes the talk is who is blessed more
Those in Ft. Worth or the Kansans galore.
They truly feel like family, the bond is oh so sweet
For God is the Father at Beautiful Feet.

Filed Under: blessing, church, fellowship, help, missions, poem, team
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