August Newsletter Article

This is the latest installment of my monthly newsletter article for Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Logan, Ohio, where I serve as pastor.

Service to others in Jesus’ Name is a trademark of the Christian life. Christians, confident of their place in God’s kingdom, granted to all with faith in Jesus Christ, look for ways to pass the love of Jesus onto others.

That’s why I’m so excited about this month’s Drive-Through Community Baby Shower at Saint Matthew. It happens on Saturday, August 22, from 10am to 2pm.

We’re asking Saint Matthew members to work at the church building on that day to receive contributions of baby formula and diapers to be distributed by our local health department and the county Board of Mental Retardation and Developmentally Disabled.

We hope to receive contributions of these items not only from members of Saint Matthew, but from people everywhere in Logan and Hocking County.

And that’s where your help is needed.

In May, you’ll remember we collected food for distribution by our county Job and Family Services agency. Getting the word out to people and so, ensuring the success of the project, was a bit easier than it will be with our baby shower. That’s because then, we left sacks with detailed instructions on people’s doorsteps. They couldn’t avoid knowing about that food drive.

This time, we can only ensure that the word will get out indirectly. We’ve sent out a press release and we’re buying several advertisements. Of course, some may hear about the project through our radio broadcast.

Those are helpful ways to let people know how they can provide baby formula and diapers to area needy families. But they’re indirect.

So, in the coming weeks, I hope that you will take every single opportunity you have to tell neighbors, friends, and family members about the Drive-Through Community Baby Shower on August 22.

Tell them we won’t preach at them.

Tell them that they won’t even have to get out of their cars.

They can just pull up to the back entrance to Saint Matthew between 10am and 2pm on that day and Saint Matthew folks will take their donations from them.

Those donations will immediately be shipped onto the agencies that can help our neighbors in need.

Don’t be afraid to ask others to help us help others share the love of Christ in a very practical way. People, even those not connected to Christ or the Church, love being able to do that.

And for us at Saint Matthew, it’s one more way that we can serve others in Jesus’ Name. It’s exciting!

Your Friend in Christ,

Pastor Mark