Peace Notes Winter 2018-19-Word of Peace Lutheran Church

THE
BIG GIVE
Opportunities to Give This Christmas
God tells us to give joyfully and out of a sense of thanksgiving, not from feelings of guilt or pressure. You are
never obligated or expected to give to everything that is offered. If you want to joyfully give your time, talent
and money to your church this Christmas, there are many ways to do so. Here are just a few:
NEW THIS YEAR! Christmas Care Kits for Westhaven Children’s Home in Jamaica
See article on page 10 for more information. Pick up a Christmas Care shopping bag in the Gathering
Area and fill it with items on the provided shopping list. Return the filled bag to church by December 10.
Volunteer—If you would like to volunteer this Christmas or any time, visit
wordofpeace.org/volunteer or stop at the volunteer desk in the Gathering Area. For more information,
contact Lydia Svenulski at (763) 496-2421 or svenulski@wordofpeace.org.
Local Christmas Relief—Financial donations will be collected December 2-10 and distributed to families
in need in our community. Giving envelopes and a credit/debit card reader is available at the Information
Desk, or you can give online at wordofpeace.org/give.
Adopt-A-Family—Help support families in need from our congregation by purchasing gifts for them
this Christmas. Choose a wish list item from the Adopt-A-Family wall in the Gathering Area and return
your donations to the church office by Sunday, December 2. Please be sure to include a gift receipt
along with the request slip. For more information, contact Jill Smith at (763) 496-2402 or
jsmith@wordofpeace.org.
God’s Global Barnyard—Donations are collected now through December 17 to support the ELCA
World Hunger Appeal. ELCA World Hunger animal projects offer hungry families food, funds, fertilizer
and a brighter future. Pick up a donation card near the Children, Youth & Family doors.
CROSS—CROSS is requesting gifts for children, teens, and adults, as well as wrapping paper and supplies.
Donations of baking supplies (flour, sugars, etc.), jarred gravy or gravy mix, boxed potatoes and
stuffing, and canned cranberries are also needed. Donations of non-perishable food items may be
dropped off at the CROSS Corner in the North Gathering Area. Fresh produce and frozen turkey or
ham should be delivered directly to CROSS.
Fair Trade Fair—Fair Trade gift items will be sold before and after worship on December 2 & 3 and 9 &
10. Purchase beautiful, handmade Christmas or special occasion gifts from artisans around the world,
while making a real difference and participating in a mission to eradicate poverty. New: Order online
by Dec. 17 and get items shipped to you by Christmas! Use this link: serrv.org?a=wordofpeace
Thank you for spreading the joy of our Savior’s birth by
GIVING BIG this holiday season!
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