In this first month of a new year, it is a good opportunity to think about …giving! A lot is said in the Bible about giving (check out the list of Bible verses), and that is what prompted me to begin a ‘branch in the church tree’! I call it “Seasons of Giving.”
Allow me to explain. Each season of the year will have a ministry focus. In the fall the focus was ; Harvest. We collected donations from the people in the church I belong to and sent the money to “Samaritan’s Purse (samaritanspurse.org/) for Operation Christmas Child.” They use the money to fill shoe-boxes with toys, toiletries and a gospel message. Then it is shipped to a child either in the US, or overseas in third world countries. Often, this is the only gift this child will receive for Christmas! Also, as we prepared for the gift giving season, a Christmas sale was held and handmade items were sold during the ‘Christmas Experience and Craft Expo’. The money raised there was sent to several ministries we support through the year including; Samaritans Purse, Deeper Still, Changed by the Word, prison ministry, Keystone Rescue Mission and Kenya.
Winter season will be; “Warmth!” Collections will be taken of coats, hats, scarves, gloves and new white socks for our local homeless mission; Keystone Mission, in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, PA. (KeystoneMission.org) This Mission has been pairing a homeless guest with a ‘life coach’ who will gently guide them to better life choices through interpersonal relationships. I am expecting to have a couple of weeks to sell our hand made items again, and, of course, you can donate directly to the Mission. Check out the address on their web site. Justin Behrens, the CEO and Executive Director of Keystone Mission has an awesome vision for the Mission, and opportunities to become involved.
Ahhhh….just the thought of Spring brings a smile to my heart! Grass peeking up through the cold soil. Birds chirping as they look for housing material, the smell of fresh clean air is just motivational! That is why Spring Giving Season is…Life! I hope to recruit a person from our local “Options Women’s Center” in Scranton to come to a meeting in spring. She will talk to us about women’s issues, and the very sensitive topic of how to heal after an abortion. Please keep checking here, and the church web site for the dates and times of this event. You can check out their website at; optionswomenscenter.com. Options supports and empowers women who are faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Parenting classes and baby items are also available to families in need. We will be taking donations for them as well as having our sale of items to benefit the Center.
Soon the heat of summer gets us running to the pool in our swimsuit! Unfortunately, one segment of our population who will not see a swimming pool is our incarcerated! Yes, I know they are in their for a reason. I also know that our Lord Jesus said not to forget about them. When we have done something for them, we are doing it for Jesus! We have two local hero’s that regularly go in and out of the prison giving hope where there is none to be found! These two hero’s are Miss Anna Young and Pastor Tom Duggan. Miss Anna has been ministering to the women in the Lackawanna County Prison for over 30 years. (Project Re-Entry) She ministers directly to the women, and provides them with toiletry items at different times of the year, as well as the Life giving Word! She is also instrumental in helping them when they are released to establish a home plan etc. Pastor Tom Duggan also ministers in Lackawanna County Prison, to the men. (Changed by the Word Ministries). During covid-19 there has been no visitation, no Bible studies, no gifts! Please pray for this segment of our community. Giving Season, Summer is Hope! The plan for ‘Summer Hope’ is not established yet, but I do know when the plan is set, I will let you know!
Almost everyday I receive a request for money for great causes. From cancer, to vets to police and on and on. The four I have sited here have an added element. See, while every solicitation we receive is expressing a very real need, once that need is met, the problem is still not solved! The ministries I have listed fill a need, and go a step beyond, bringing the life-changing good news of the gospel of Jesus to those who may not have heard it, and are at a spot in their life when they need it most.
If you can, please give. If you cannot, please pray.
Press the reply button, or message me, or email me for more information! donna_liples@yahoo.com
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