Send Me: Since 2009 By: Alyssa Abiding Savior Lutheran (ASL) has been holding Send Me events since 2009. This year we held the 5th Send Me event. The idea of Send Me started with a youth at ASL that was attending a Ukandu Mission trip. The youth suggested that we have an event in the St. Louis area. Pastor McBurney and others had been praying to have a Send Me event, and God answered their prayers. The first event was held on October 10, 2009. Send Me has benefitted many organizations. Volunteers have helped many people. Send Me has changed people’s lives and brightened their day. It is a great way to bring people closer to God. Send Me has been a huge part of ASL and will continue to spread God's Word in the St. Louis area.
Before The Big Day!! By: Amanda The planning of Send Me is done by many people, but is mostly done by Mrs. McBurney and Mrs. Sell. This year Mrs. McBurney and Mrs. Sell had to place 325 people to serve God. Send Me took place on October 13, 2012. Send Me starts at 7:00 A.M. and ends with a dinner and church service, Send Me will be over at 7:00 p.m. When Mrs. Sell and Mrs. McBurney start to plan Send Me, they start 3 months before. When people signed up for Send Me they know that they will go around the city, serving God and spreading the word of God, and at the end, during the church service, the volunteers talk about what they did during Send Me. One reason people do it ,members of the church, families from the school, and nonmembers is to help spread the word of God.
1
1 2
<http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/files/original/article_financial_planning.jpg> <http://stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/planning/images/Planning-Terms_1.jpg>
2
Outside of the Box By: Natalie At Abiding Savior, we offer an amazing opportunity to serve other people, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s called Send Me. One of the many things that involved in planning Abiding Saviorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Send Me is the planning going on outside of the school! This process takes about 2 weeks, and it starts when the people in charge of this job receive the request form. The request form consists of plenty of information, including contact information, and the needs of others. Once the planners get the information, they use the contact information to call and make an appointment with the people responsible for maintenance. The planners also go to visit the job site which could be a church, charity, home, etc. The first thing they have to figure out is what the job is, and how long it will take to finish the job. How many people are needed to finish the job, what tools, materials and equipment is needed are others the planners of Send Me find out. Each job site can have numerous tasks to be performed, so volunteers will have to devote lots of time and energy.
Praise the Lord for Worship Services By: Joey S The worship services before and after Send Me each serve different purposes. Before Send Me the service is intended to help introduce the theme of why we do Send Me. The end of the day service helps people realize the purpose of it. The leader of the worship services is Pastor David McBurney. He wants us to focus our eyes on Jesus. This year, Life books were handed out at the beginning of the day to help people think about what and who we are helping and why we are doing it. Then at the end of the day, volunteers share what they did and share how God was glorified and how blessed we are. Pastor also encourages us to use our gifts and to grow in our relationship with Jesus. The worship services are held in the Worship and Family Life Center in the church. Through pastorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s word, people realize that when they are at their site they get blessed just as much as the people they are serving. Pastor gets his ideas for the message by keeping his eyes open to the Holy Spirit. He also listens for inspiration and looks up bible verses. His main goal is to keep our eyes focused on God and others but not ourselves.
People Involved in Send Me By: Peyton Send Me is a once a year event where people go help others. The people can help in Send Me by doing all kinds of things to help our community. People of all ages can work at Send Me. They can paint houses, construct buildings, and make lunches. They can also help by babysitting, going to Eckerts with college students from Asia, and they can also be on the evangelism team. One person who went on a Send Me event is Lyle. He said that “Send me is Awesome!” Joe, a sixth grader, said that, “It was fun and a good way to help.” Send Me is “a good way to show your faith.” (Katie - 7th grade) A lot of people from Abiding Savior go to Send Me. People go to Send Me to spread God’s word by helping others.
MMMMMM ... the Good Food of Send Me By: Lyle On October 13, 2012, Abiding Savior Lutheran Church hosted a one-day servant event called Send Me, which saw over 300 volunteers serving God’s people in the St. Louis area. But in order to work, the servants need food for their souls and food for their bodies - the delicious food that Mrs. Kathy Arnold and 16 other people made for the day. I talked with Mrs. Arnold and her mother, Mrs. Koester, who were both cooks for the event about the great food of Send Me. First, on Friday, the kitchen team went shopping for the food and started to make the lunch trays and some of the breakfast items. Then, on Saturday (the actual day of the Send Me event), when everybody was at their work sites, the BBQ team started up the grills right away. The people in the kitchen started making the dinner, decorating the tables, as well as helped serve free lunches to people in the community lunches that day. The kitchen team then ate their lunches, worked on their Send Me devotions, and continued to make the dinner for the returning volunteers. Finally, when the closing worship service for the Send Me event was done, their team and many helpers took down the tables and set up the chairs for the following morning’s worship services. Mrs. Arnold told me, “There are so many helpers that aren’t on our team that help us when we look like we need help, and we love that!” Even though there are many types of food served on the day of Send Me, some favorites of the day are: egg casseroles for breakfast, Mrs. Koester’s awesome sugar cookies for lunch, and the pork steaks and potato casserole (my mom’s favorite!) for
dinner. Mrs. Arnold loves making the deviled eggs, while Mrs. Koester loves making her awesome sugar cookies. Mrs. Arnold told me that she feels like God has gifted her to prepare meals for others. Mrs. Koester thinks that the kitchen crew needs help so she helps them. Mrs. Koester said, “Without food there would be no Send Me,” and she is right! I thank God so much for these people that made the food for all of us who volunteered for this year’s Send Me event, not because they were forced to, but because they wanted to do what God called them to do to glorify Him. I hope you were blessed by them, too!
Yummy Lunches for Send Me By: Racquel Send Me is a once a year event that helps out the community in several different ways. One of the things in Send Me is giving away a free lunch. Volunteers can help in giving away these free lunches by simply signing up for Send Me. The lunches are for anyone here in the community of St. Louis. Mrs. Sell, a coordinator in Send Me, says “The best part to me is seeing the appreciative look of the people just because it’s not often that people receive something for free.” These free lunches are given to the community on the day of Send Me. Mrs Sell says “What we hope most to accomplish is getting people to go to Abiding Savior Lutheran Church.” Giving away these free lunches is a great way to show God’s love to our community.
Have Kindness on Someone Randomly! By: Madison Random Acts of Kindness is about how people of Send Me go to help others. In Random Acts of Kindness people go to places like a laundry mat and pay for peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s laundry and give them some pizza. Sometimes they go to Starbucks or some other coffee places and buy them coffee. When they do Send Me there are large amounts of people there to go and help. Sometimes they go door to door and spread the word of God. This year the Random Acts of Kindness team is going to pass out Life Books to everyone they helped and who did Send Me. At the beginning and end of this event they have church to praise God for letting them have the opportunity to spread the word of God. Random acts of kindness helps people in small ways.
3
3
4
<http://www.thinman.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/smiley-face.jpg> <http://valencia.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Random-Acts-of-Kindness-Day-2.jpg> 5 <http://www.daysoftheyear.com/wp-content/images/random-acts-of-kindness-day1.jpg> 4
5
Life Books Give a Better Understanding By: Katie S. Send Me is held every year and many people come to help the community. Send Me was on October 13, 2012 and many were helped in our community. One of the things people did during Send Me was giving out life books. Life Books help people get a better understanding of the Bible. The Life Book answers questions people have like “Why does God let bad things happen?” People say that “God will not force us to do what is right, He lets us make our own choices in life.” Abiding Savior Lutheran ordered 2000 Life Books and gave 500 books to Lutheran South to give to students and staff. The day of Send Me, many people received Life Books and now are learning about God, Jesus, the Bible, and God’s plan for us.
Evangelism Team in Send Me By: Mallory The purpose of the Evangelism team in Send Me shows God’s love by helping others’ needs. The Evangelism team was started by Abiding Savior Lutheran’s Pastor McBurney. His point in making the Evangelism team was to spread the gospel to others. This team goes door to door asking their neighbors if they can pray for them. They also pray for God’s help in helping others’ needs. They look for people that are moving and help them pack or load their moving van. The team goes to gas stations and gives people cards for gas. Another thing they do is go around neighborhoods asking if people need help mowing their lawn. The Evangelism team goes to the neighborhoods around Abiding Savior. These people take their own time to help others in need.
Otis Woodard And How He Helps By: Joe Otis Woodard is a person who lives in the inner city of St. Louis, helping and caring for the lost and unfortunate people and their needs. The main place he helps is at Peace Park. At the park he gives families free food, clothes and shelter. His ministry is called Northside St. Louis. When Otis was poor and homeless he saw other people starving and gave his leftovers to them. He began helping people and this is how his ministry started. He’s been in St Louis for over 44 years and before that he was a Civil Right Activist in the South. Otis has helped a lot of people over the years. He lives right next to his park, he used to sit in his window and when people were shooting each other, robbing and and doing things they shouldn't Otis Woodard would yell through his window stop!!!!!! He has been shot at before; his house has been almost burned down. His kids had to jump through fire to get out, and moments later he realized he was on fire and ran out of the house tearing his clothes off. Today, some St. Louis Gangs protect over Peace Park and they respect Otis for what he does. Otis is also known for his colorful clothes and his style. Over the years he has helped the community in many ways adopting children, giving out free food and clothes. Otis continues his preaching at Transformation Lutheran Church and is a great man for how he serves the Lord. His creed is “The gospel begins after the benediction, go serve.”
A Church Near You! By: Zach Emmaus Lutheran Church is a Lutheran church with a strong foundation of Christian faith and they will welcome you with open arms. They are aware of over 2,000 years of Christian history (and it gets better). They have a strong education system! They also follow Jesus’ life to His birth, His cross, His resurrection, and His ascension into Heaven. They have great services filled with many holy words and phrases. They enjoy a small family atmosphere which encourages faith and love in Jesus Christ. They started as the “Jefferson Avenue Mission” in 1889, in a small two story building. They were an offshoot of Trinity Lutheran. One floor was a church and the other one was a school. A tornado in 1896 unroofed the school and demolished an addition. The present building was dedicated at Jefferson Ave. and Armand Place. A large school building at 2617 Shenandoah Ave. was completed in 1926. Emmaus Lutheran church would welcome you with open arms. Check them out!
All info was provided at emmaus-stl.org Pictures Google Images Contacts Email: emmausstl@gmail.com Mailing address: Emmaus Ev. Lutheran Church 2617 Shenandoah Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63104 (314)-776-1274
Telephone:
The Inside Look on the Packages By: Saffron College and military care packages provide happiness for college students and military personnel in many places. The care packages are sent all the way from Abiding Savior to many places like Las Vegas, Nevada, Annapolis, Maryland, Stratford, Virginia, and Mequon, Wisconsin. 26 students signed up to receive the packages. There were nine members of this Send Me team: five adults and four youth. They packed the packages with the supplies Abiding Savior church and school members donated. Some of the things sent in the packages were school supplies like highlighters, pencils, and other things. We also sent food like popcorn, candy and other snacks. We also sent devotion books and letters from Abiding Savior members. The items in the packages may have been small, but the people who received them were hopefully affected in a big way!
Christ the King Church Chicago: Helping Kids Everyday! By: Grace Christ the King Church was established as a mission congregation by Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in 1949 by Pastor Robert Schulze. There have been many pastors at the Church but the current pastor is Rev. John W. Brazeal. He and his wife Geri have been helping Christ the King Church since 1973. In the same year they established Christ the King School. The school serves kids as young as 2 years old to sixth graders and Mrs. Brazeal serves as principal in the school. There are extended hours that include both before and after school programs. A regular school day at Christ the King Church & School is from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the extended program hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. They have plenty of different programs, such as: Outdoor Summer Camp, Violin Lessons, Praise Dance Group & Choir, Cooking Classes, and Dedicated Computer Lessons. Christ the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Missions are centered on helping children deal with hard things in their life and to turn to Jesus.
All pictures and information was from- http://www.ctkluthchicago.comcastbiz.net/5501.html
The Amazing Metro Vision Ministries By: Bradley F. Metro Vision Ministries is an organization that adopts families that are in need, that have lost their loved ones or ones that have been very injured and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t move around that easily. The people that work there depend on donors to continue their support and contributions on helping the organization. The nursing home is a warm, loving, and caring environment that allows family and friends to visit them and treats people to their special needs. It provide furniture to sleep on, watch TV on, to eat, and just to enjoy with. It also provides clothing and a large variety of items to use.
This organization distributes warm hats and Christmas
stockings for the winter, and Easter baskets for the children, families, homeless, and for many nursing homes.
Metro Vision Ministries also has a chapel service on every
Wednesday in the beginning of the morning for inspiration and prayers for special needs.
Metro Vision Ministries also has many needs like getting more furniture, clean
bedding, new or gently used towels, food, furniture for businesses, Easter baskets and candy,and help for monthly expenses. It also needs pots, pans, and skillets, decorations for different seasons , place settings and new silverware, and clothing for adults and children. Metro Vision Ministries provides a warm, loving and caring environment for people who need help.
The Church of St. John’s Lutheran By: Patrick St. John Lutheran Church, in St. Louis, Missouri, helps people get to know God. St. John’s mission statement is to call people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, move them into active discipleship, and equip them to be efficient and effective witnesses and disciples. St. John’s Lutheran is located at Chippewa and Morganford which is in the city of St. Louis. They were a German church of 8 members organized in 1865. In 1955 they reached their peak membership of 950 members. Since the neighborhood has changed dramatically and the membership has decreased, they have been challenged in their ministry. They have joined with other LCMS churches to form “Partners in Urban Ministry” to reach out to their neighborhoods. Send-Me has also come to their aid in their mission work and has helped St. Johns over the years.
St. Vincent de Paul By: Jacob St. Vincent de Paul is an organization with two types of service. They go to jails to talk about Jesus and help people with their health. The way they get the people is that they have 143 churches that form the St. Louis Council. This Council has hotlines that received about 2400 calls a month. They have a service that helps with utility, food, and emergency assistance. If they discover an unmet need they go to their network of charity and look for ways to help. The way they get their donations for their charity is through the thrift stores. They believe their direct service renews hope and lifts spirits.
The St. Vincent de Paul logo
All info is provided by = http://www.svdpstlouis.org/
BASKET OF HOPE: AN EMOTIONAL CANCER CURE By: Leigha Basket of Hope is touching the hearts of one cancer patient at a time. Basket of Hope is a wonderful organization that delivers baskets full of items such as: games, toys, pre-loaded Mp3s, activities such as coloring books that teach about God and much more that would make a child happy. Basket of Hope all started when Christina Brunette, the daughter of Angela Brunette found out she had a serious tumor on her spinal column. Angela decided that when people are in the hospital, they needed some joy. Every year Baskets of Hope gets thousands of letters from supporters such as: parents, cancer patients , and parents whose children have passed away.
When a
cancer patient opens up one of these special baskets they can rely on God and know He is there to help.This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Send Me partnered up with Basket of Hope to save the world! (more just like certain parts of MO not the entire world.) Today Christina Brunette is healthy and visiting cancer patients everywhere.
Here is a prayer you may want to pray for cancer patients of all kinds. Dear Lord, Please be with any kids or adults who are suffering from cancer. Please guard and protect their families and know that you are there and that you have a plan for their loved one. Even if it means that you call them to be with you. Guard, watch, protect, and send your angels to be with all. In your son Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name Amen. Please tell anyone that is suffering from cancer or has a cancer patient that God is there he has a plan and he loves us.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT MINISTRIES BY: ELENA International Student Ministries is a non-profit organization that works hard to share and show God’s love to everyone, no matter their race, culture, or religion. ISM helps students not only learn about God, but they help the students make lots of new friends. Their new friends help the students by picking them up from the airport or taking them on group picnics or bible studies. Many volunteers help the students just by having a conversation with one of them. These students come from many different countries, and they cannot always speak or understand English. Just by having a nice, friendly conversation, you may have made someone’s day.
A couple years ago, Mr. Enger and his daughters, Amanda and Anna picked apples with ISM students during Abiding Savior’s one day servant event, Send Me. After they picked and bought the apples they sat down to talk and enjoy a delicious picnic on the hill. “They loved to have conversations so they could practice their English!” said Amanda. Amanda helped brighten someone’s day just by having a few simple conversations with them.
This year Abiding Savior volunteers helped the ISM students by carving pumpkins at Village Lutheran Church in Ladue, MO. For some students, this was their very first time ever carving a pumpkin! The volunteers did not just become friends and talk about God with them, they also taught them about Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customs and traditions. They took their own time off their own day to help these people. So what about you? What can you do to help?
Wonders of Camp Wartburg By: Maddy Camp Wartburg is a camp owned by Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s authorized by the American Camp Association. Camp Wartburg has been a camp since 1963. Their campgrounds are open year round for retreats and camp. This camp helps children get a better view of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creation and everything He has done for us. Camp Wartburg provides many great activities like: canoeing, hiking, swimming, horseback riding, creaking, and much more! They are even making a new pool house! Camp Wartburg is a great place to connect with God and the amazing things He has done for us.
What Christian Friends of New Americans is all About By:Chris Christian Friends of New Americans is an organization that helps refugees when they first come to America. The leadership at CFNA make sure that refugees have enough supplies for them to work with. A lot of people from Christian Friends of New Americans help out our Send Me volunteers during Send Me. Before and during Send Me people from CFNA are right there working with our Send Me crew. CFNA is very thankful to our Send Me helpers because they helped clean CFNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peace center. Send Me volunteers made a lovely kitchen countertop for the serving island. They also put in a replacement sink and drywall in the basement to make it a useful room. The volunteers also did sidewalk repairs, painting, and waterproofing. The peace center is an old brick building that needed repairs and yard work. During the event some of the refugees even helped. Send Me volunteers help CFNA help refugees that enter America.
Feed My People By: Kaitlyn Feed My People feeds people with more than just food. They adopt families in need, give computer training to give people a
chance to get
a job, and the best one is feed people in need.
People in
need who do not have the money to feed their family
or who need
other things in the community are the people who Feed My People serves. Feed My People started in 1982. By 2003 it had become a well-known organization by helping more than 85,000 people. Coming up is a race for food that will raise money to buy food for the community in need. Volunteers are not forced to help Feed My People. No one has to volunteer, but if someone wants to support they can donate to or from individual schools, churches, and community groups. They also have a thrift store and give household items and clothes for affordable cost. Feed My People is still helping people spiritually and physically.
Humanitri Helping Families By: Katlyn J. Humanitri has been helping families in hard times, using faith and responsibility, for over 25 years. Humanitri started in 1987 and they have served over 2,000 communities and neighborhoods. They help families in hard times, the homeless, sick, and injured. They haven't let down a family yet! People are taught new skills as needed, so they can do things on their own. Humanitri also helps the homeless find jobs and build new homes for them. Even though Humanitri does not have a school they still are known for helping others. They bring the word of Jesus Christ to the people who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know Him. If you were homeless, incarcerated, in poverty, or going through a tough time, Humanitri helps. Humanitri has always helped people in a way that can change a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life! They help people around the world with troubles they face!