Responding to God’s
gift of grace in Jesus Christ and energized by the Holy Spirit…we give. As our mission statement points out, giving
is an integral part of Abiding Presence, and God is changing the lives of
others because we give.
Through your gifts, a young girl in Ethiopia was able to
meet Lane Hoggard, a high school student of Abiding Presence. Lane traveled with other missionaries to
Ethiopia with Water to Thrive and they were able to complete Abiding Presence’s
second water well. Lane took her water
jug off of her back and walked with her to her home. He met her family and drank clean water with
them. With the time and energy saved by
this well, this young girl can now go to school, and always have clean water to
drink. Not only was her life changed,
but Lane’s as well. Your giving made
this happen.
The quilters of
Abiding Presence give of their time and talents to craft beautiful quilts for
Lutheran World Relief. In a recent meeting with a LWR representative, I found
out that Abiding Presence is one of the top givers of quilts and health kits in
Texas.
When I worked at New Like Children’s Treatment Center in
Canyon Lake, TX, I witnessed firsthand what these quilts can do for those in
need. At this treatment center for
at-risk teenage girls, young ladies would enter with only clothing, but were
given a quilt from a neighboring Lutheran church. For so many, this was the first quilt they
received, and for others, it was the first gift given to a life that had so
much taken from it. Their lives are
forever changed.
The Stephen Ministers of Abiding Presence take communion to
the homes of parishioners who are not able to make it to worship. Stephen Ministers are trained lay leaders who
also give one-to-one care in times of crisis, which means they travel to homes
of the sick, visit hospital rooms, and pray for and visit families who have
lost loved ones. Your gifts help to
train and equip these saints and lives are changed.
The Abiding Presence food pantry gives assistance for those
who have found themselves without. So
many people come through and receive an HEB bag packed to the brim with
food. Recently, I sat and talked with a
young man who was struggling so much.
With that bag of groceries, he was able to eat for a few more days and
his tears said it all. Because you give,
Abiding Presence is able to meet the needs of the hungry, living out the Gospel
message! Lives are changed!
Abiding Presence seeks to use the gifts received wisely,
much like your family does. We
prayerfully consider where the resources of the church be will spent and
given. Because you give, lives are
changed.
On October 7th, during the Sunday school hour at
breakfast, you have the opportunity to listen and be involved in a discussion
about how we are changing lives. The
Stewardship Ministry Action Team is hosting an Abiding Presence Stewardship
Awareness Presentation. You are invited
to be involved and witness firsthand how Abiding Presence prayerfully considers
the missions and ministries chosen to support with the gifts received. All are welcome!
Pastor Steve
Almost 500 years ago, Martin Luther nailed the 95 thesis to a church door with hopes of reforming the church. History tells us that Luther did not sway the Catholic Church, and a group of clergy formed a new denomination called Lutheran. Around this same time, Martin Luther wrote both the Large and Small Catechism to instruct and educate this new community of faith. At the center of these documents are the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostle’s Creed, and the Ten Commandments. We still use the Small Catechism today!
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