Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.Nov. 23, 2015
Christmas Care: Holiday Store Update
Drop off Gifts through Monday, Nov. 30!

Thank you for your participation in our SPD Christmas ministries!

Our first priority, time-wise, is the Holiday Store, where children from the inner city choose gifts for their caregivers, and experience the joy of giving. We expect 400 children to shop at the store on Saturday, Dec. 5, choosing at least two gifts each, so we hope for total of 850 gifts. As of this morning, we have 390 of those gifts, so we are nicely on our way, and are still hoping for another 460 gifts by Monday, Nov. 30. (Sunday, Nov. 29 would be even better, so we can do inventory and send shoppers out on Sunday afternoon.)
 
How you can be part of this joyful ministry:
  • Purchase gifts for women, such as watches, perfume sets and purses
  • Purchase gifts for men, such as basic tools (especially in tool boxes), shave kits, headphones, flashlights, etc.
  • For either men or women, small appliances such as toasters, griddles, etc.
  • For more suggestions, visit our website for a list.
  • Donate funds! Prefer not to shop? We will send out happy shoppers with your cash, check or Target card donations. If giving by check, make it out to SPD, with "Christmasing" on the memo line. If giving on-line, go to the SPD online giving form and choose the last option, "Christmasing," to make your gift.
  • Volunteer: Help us deliver gifts from church to Lutheran Social Services on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 6-8 p.m.
  • Help set up the store at LSS on Friday, carpooling from church at about noon. Contact Pastor VSP for details.
  • Help in the store on Saturday, Dec. 5. The first shift is 9 a.m. to noon, and second shift is noon to 3 p.m. Each shift begins with an orientation. You can be a personal shopper with the children, restock shelves, or wrap gifts.
We are about half way to our hoped for number of volunteers. Please note: an equal number of children will be with us in the morning and afternoon shifts this year. Email Pastor Strand Patterson to say you would like to help with any of the above, or sign up in the narthex.

Christmas Care: Gifts and Prayers Update
Ongoing now through Dec. 14

Sign up in Fellowship Hall or in the Narthex for the following:
  • Provide prayer and gifts for residents of local shelters (mostly from their wish lists)
  • Purchase books for children of all ages, multicultural and non-violent content appreciated. (We have 150 of 750 hoped for so far.)
  • Purchase gifts from a general wish list for Home Free Shelter moms and children living in the shelter (for families experiencing domestic violence).
  • Purchase gifts for a Home Free family, receiving Home Free services and living in the community (shopping for the whole family from their wish list). Contact SPD member Becky Griffin to sign up (bejagr@gmail.com).
  • Donate funds and volunteer for Christmas food baskets to be delivered at Messiah on Dec. 19. We expect to serve 500 families! Contact SPD member Kristin Carlson-Germain (kcarlsongermain@gmail.com) to sign up to help. 
Your gifts make a difference in the lives of those you so generously help. It's amazing what a simple Christmas gift and your prayers can do to raise hope and courage in this season of love and grace. 


Gifts will be sorted and bundled to make shopping easier for the children.





 
If you have questions about anything you've read here, or want to know more about St. Philip the Deacon and its ministries, please contact us at info@spdlc.org or 763-475-7100.