Your gifts will allow Crosspoint Lutheran Church, Lakewood, mentors to radically increase their support of West Elementary at-risk students and their families.

A $1,000 grant has already been committed by the district's Lutheran Church Extension Fund for Crosspoint's project. Then, the district itself will match the first $1,500 of additional #GivingTuesday donations, dollar for dollar.

So, keep watching for posts in the district's New Starts New Believers Facebook site as #GivingTuesday draws near. Share those with all your friends, tell them you'll be donating and invite them to join you.

Or if you are ready to make your gift right now, go to nidlcms.org, click on "Donate Now" and be sure to put your gift amount on the line for #GivingTuesday 2016. If writing a check is still your style, make checks payable to NID LCMS, memo it GivingTuesday and mail it to: NID LCMS, 2301 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL 60162.

Visit www.nidlcms.org for more information.

Luther South Alumni Memorabilia Scholarship Fundraiser
All Luther South alumni and friends are invited to participate in this fundraiser at the old Luther South (87th and Kedzie, Chicago). Trophies, yearbooks, sheet music, library books, band hats, band uniforms, choir robes and other items of interest will be available for a donation to the Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation (CLEF) Scholarship Fund in exchange for items received on the following dates:

• Saturday, December 3, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to Noon
• Saturday, December 10, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to Noon

Connect with classmates and take what perhaps would be a "final stroll" through Luther South. Print flyer

Bethlehem Experience Walking Tours
A Bethlehem Experience will be presented continuously on Friday, December 9, and Saturday, December 10, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 W Main Street, West Dundee. A Bethlehem Experience will include guided 30-minute walking tours of live acting scenes with a spiritual and social message. Christ lived and died for our sins and together we can live more fully in His Word. While the event is free, donations of canned goods for the FISH food pantry are welcome. Print flyer

Christmas Concert
First Saint Paul's Church Choir featuring soloists and orchestra will present their annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 18  at 4 p.m. at 1301 N. LaSalle, Chicago. Admission is free. Everyone is invited to join in fellowship with musicians and guests at a candlelight reception following the concert. Free parking is available at the nearby Franklin School parking lot, 2 blocks west of the church on W. Goethe St.  For more information and to print a parking pass, visit www.fspauls.org. Print flyer

The Staff of the NID is Challenging All Congregation and School Staff!
Help Feed the People of Haiti! The staff at the Northern Illinois District Office is supporting Lutheran Church Charities's efforts to purchase goats for the people of Haiti. $50 was raised from staff's personal donations to purchase a goat. Now they are challenging all congregation and school staffs to do the same!

In the hardest hit areas, many of the crops have been destroyed. Their second food source is trees and most of those were knocked down in the storm and are now useless. No one should ever have to dig through garbage and sewage looking for food. That's what is happening now! With your church/school staff donation of $50, you can help the people of Haiti (through Lutheran Church Charities) by purchasing a goat that will continue to provide an on-going resource for their families.

Donate to Lutheran Church Charities securely online at http://bit.ly/2fc03bF; or send your gift to 3020 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL 60062, or; call the LCC offices at 866-455-6466.

So...who's up for the #challenge?

Personal Church Communication
Benefits of a hand-written note:

• It creates a more meaningful connection - Getting a hand written note lets people know someone is paying attention.
• It helps people give with a joyful heart -  People want to feel good about supporting a church that cares about reaching out to the community and connecting inward with each other.
• Personalized communication has power - It grabs your attention when someone takes the time to write even the shortest note.

Source: ChurchJuice.com