You're Invited!

Our Christian Education Committee has planned presentations after 9:00 worship in April to help us learn more about the organizations our Outreach dollars have supported. Grab your snacks and meet us in the sanctuary from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. There will also be Sunday School for the children! Please join us!

April 27—Woodstock Animal Foundation

For over 20 years, Woodstock Animal Foundation, Inc. has operated the  Woodstock Spay and Neuter Clinic in Lexington, KY. In addition to  providing high quality, low cost spay and neuter services they also  offer full service veterinary care by appointment Monday through Friday  and operate mobile programs in various counties around the state. 

May 25—The Alzheimer’s Association

"The Impact of Alzheimer’s & Dementia in our Community"

We will learn about the impact of the disease, the latest treatments, early detection, risk reduction, and local resources. We’ll discover ways that we can join the fight against Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

In late September, Hurricane Helene hit the coast of Florida as a  Category 4 hurricane and moved inland as a deadly storm, leaving  devastation throughout the southeastern United States. The storm caused flooding, especially in western North Carolina and  Tennessee, washing away whole towns and roads, leaving millions of  people without power, and driving thousands from their homes.

Hurricane  Milton hit Florida as a powerful Category 3 hurricane, bringing storm  surge, heavy rains, winds and tornadoes. Milton is one of the strongest  hurricanes to hit the area in decades. At least four people died,  and millions are without electricity. This storm is particularly devastating because many communities are only beginning to recover from  Hurricane Helene, which hit the Southeast just two weeks ago.
Lutheran  Disaster Response works with its partners to provide immediate relief,  such as water, food, clothing, gift cards, tarps and other needs. Since  many hurricanes also require a long-term response, Lutheran Disaster  Response provides support on the long road to recovery with disaster  case management, construction management, attention to unmet needs, and  emotional and spiritual care.
Please  pray for the safety of communities impacted by hurricanes, including  people in their paths and any emergency services personnel who are  responding. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their  time of need. Pray that God will deliver comfort to those who mourn and  strength to those working diligently to rescue survivors.
Your gifts will support disaster-impacted communities. Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response equip us to respond to those affected by hurricanes and related  disasters, such as mudslides, severe storms and flooding. These gifts  also empower us to respond to disasters whenever and wherever they  strike. Gifts to “Hurricane Response" will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by hurricanes, until the response is complete.

To give by phone, call 800-638-3522. Checks or money orders can be mailed to:

Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009

Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop, ELCA  

For eight horrific months war has raged in Gaza. Thousands of people have died, and thousands more are suffering. In recent days we have seen unspeakable images of violence in Rafah and escalating violence in the West Bank. Like the prophet Isaiah, we lament, "How long, O Lord?" (Isaiah 6:11).
 

At times a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis doesn't seem possible, yet as Christians we believe that it is. The psalmist assures us that God "makes wars cease to the end of the earth" (Psalm 46:9). At times it seems that there is nothing we can do, yet through baptism God calls us to be peacemakers. We live out this calling in many ways, including through prayer, advocacy and accompaniment.

As a church, we continue to:

• Pray for all people who are suffering and grieving, and for this war to end diplomatically in a lasting peace, rooted in justice and human rights for Palestinians and Israelis.  
• Advocate for an immediate, bilateral cease-fire and a halt in U.S. arms transfers to Israel, to prevent further loss of life; the release of all hostages and uncharged prisoners; and unimpeded humanitarian aid for all in need. We will continue to advocate for these priorities with the Biden administration and the U.S. Congress. 
• Walk with all who long for a just peace, including especially our Palestinian siblings in the ELCA, as well as Christian, Muslim and Jewish partners here in the U.S. and in the Holy Land.

As Christ taught, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9). Let us continue to hope and to live our faith.

Lutheran Disaster Response shares God's hope, healing and renewal with people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. When the dust settles and the headlines change, we stay to provide ongoing assistance to those in need. Learn more.

• Eastern Europe Crisis Response
• Horn of Africa Drought
• Middle East Crisis
• Middle East & Europe Refugee Crisis
• South Sudan Relief
• AMMPARO: Protecting Migrants

Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying our companions in Ukraine,  Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Moldova, Lithuania and the Czech  Republic, as well as such ecumenical partners as this Lutheran World  Federation and Church World Service, in their humanitarian responses to  the crisis created by Russia’s war against Ukraine. These partners  provide refugees with immediate and long-term support. Presiding Bishop  Elizabeth Eaton has joined other religious leaders from Europe and  around the globe in issuing an interfaith call for peace in the region.
Please  pray for those in Ukraine, Russia and neighboring countries that have  been affected by the war in Ukraine. May God's healing presence give  them peace and hope in their time of need.
Your gifts designated for “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” will be used entirely (100%) to provide support for people impacted by conflict in the region.