St. Andrew's Year of Service
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In this issue...
Changing the System
Service in Action
Help for a Family in Need
Youth Serving at Camp Allen
Outreach Organizations
Compassion Logo
Visit Compassion International

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Visit the National Marrow Donor Program

Heifer Logo
Visit Heifer International

FPCC Logo
Visit Family Promise of Clear Creek

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Visit Episcopal Relief and Development

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Christian Helping Hands
Resolutions for Our Year of Service
 
Christianity is practiced. These are traits of the followers of Jesus. God encourages our practice of them and God will help us to do them. Make these the foundation of your Year of Service. (from sermon 2/14/10)
 
Avoid judgment of others unlike me. Find out who they are and what they yearn for
James 2:1-6
 
Die to live. Take care of Jesus' business with others outside family and church. God will take care of you.
Luke 9:23-25
 
Sow generously. Give of your time, talent and treasure to make the Gospel a reality in the lives of others.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
 
Don't take it with you, send it ahead. Invest in eternity. It is your ultimate destiny.
Matthew 6:19-24
 
Embrace variety, Live in unity. Work together to be the Body of Christ for a broken world using your unique gifts, given by God.
1 Corinthians 12:4-12
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
2535 E. Broadway
FM 518
Pearland, Texas 77581
281-485-3843
www.standrewspearland.org
 
Year of Service Update
#9
April 22, 2010

Dear St. Andrew's Family & Friends,

Our Year of Service has been a wonderful time for me as I continue to get reports on all the thoughtful actions each and every person is taking in their daily lives to serve others.
 
This year's Campaign of Kindness was a great example of how we can all serve others and help make this world a better place.
 
I do want to encourage you to continue to stretch - go beyond our Acts of Kindness and truly find somewhere to serve. My hope is that the acts of kindness will now have become a part of who we are as people and as a congregation and now I would love to see us step out and truly serve on a higher level.
 
Service does include the chance meeting of someone and reaching out to them, but it also goes further. It includes a conscious effort to seek and find where you can serve, making a plan and following through.
 
This week I challenge you to pray about where you can serve. Open your eyes to the service opportunities surrounding you. Take a chance and open yourself up to a new experience. Then let us know how it goes.

 
Changing a System to Help People Give 

When Shannan Murray attempted to drop off 15 bags of clothing to the Star of Hope Mission, she was very disappointed when they told her they could not accept the clothing at that locationa and she would have to go downtown if she wanted to donate. She left with her bags of clothes and an idea about making things easier for others.
 
Shannan contacted the VP of Development for Star of Hope and expressed her concern that if this policy was in place, many opportunities for donations would be lost.
 
The great news is the VP listened and Star of Hope Mission reversed their policy and they began accepting donations again this past week, including the Murray family's 15 bags of clothing which will be put to good use.
  Service in Action

  • Bettie Dru Bowman won a prize at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Pig Races and when she noticed a young girl who had been crying, she gave the girl her prize and made her day.
  • Allison Curl encountered an elderly gentleman in a hotel lobby who could not find his family. He was afraid to cross a tile floor area to speak with the hotel staff because of a fear of falling. Alison assisted the gentleman and he made it back safely to his family.
  • Judy Bettencourt has agreed to serve on the PTA Board at Challenger Elementary as their Fundraising Chairman for 2010-11. She expects to have her hands full but is looking forward to serving next year and she hopes for a lot of support when it comes to ordering cookie dough ;)
  • The Lusk family encountered a family in the Kroger parking lot who had spilled a gallon bag of coins on the ground. The helped them gather the coins which was very helpful because one of the couple could not bend down due to a recent surgery.
 
 Help for a Family Whose Home Burned Down

Piper Stewart donated her bunk beds to a family whose home burned down over Spring Break.The Stewart family decided that they wanted to do more so they contacted St. Andrew's and we put the word out and many of you answered the call with donations of your own.
 
The Stewart family delivered donations from their family and friends and from St. Andrew's. The family who received these gifts was very grateful.
 
Youth Serving at Camp Allen 
Jeremy Carrette and Stephanie Woodward have both been asked to serve on the staff for Happening for their second time. He will be a family guide and she will be a cook. Their job there is to help new Happeners to get just as meaningful of an experience as they had, to share their thoughts about God with them and help them to be more comfortable talking about religion with each other. They lead the youth in prayer, and then help them to be more comfortable praying out loud themselves. As a cook, it will be Stephanie's job also to make sure that they feel as at-home as possible and get a good meal. Like workcamp, it's a great way of serving others while growing in your own way at the same time.
 
** Happening is for Youth in grades 10-12 to find out more about Happening - visit their website 
Share Your Acts of Service

Help us spread the word about acts of service in which you participate. Send your reports (AND PICTURES) to debbie@standrewspearland.org