Christmas 2019

Merry Christmas!

Elvis has left the building

Everyone around the church was charmed by the request on one of our giving trees:

A 72-year old lady wanted to receive a cardboard cutout of Elvis for Christmas.

Not only one, but seven! Elvis cutouts were delivered by our fun-loving volunteers. Before the delivery, the Elvises (Elvii?) struck some poses around Mount Calvary.

We Care for our College Students

Our College Care packages continue to be a real blessing to our students away from home! Thanks to all who baked, shopped, packed, and mailed to have these boxes sent. Thanks also to our Sunday Schoolers for the special cards and messages. Read some of the heartfelt “thank yous.”

“Thanks so much for organizing this! My daughters received their care packages today and were so appreciative of all the thoughtful snacks and other items as well as the cards that were signed.  My younger daughter cried when she read the homemade card from the little  girl, that someone she didn’t know made that for her and was sending blessings.

With a grateful heart,”

“Thank you all and the staff for my Christmas box! Perfect timing so I can snack on those cookies over break!:)

 

And also, according to the sunday schooler who wrote my card, you’re getting me a new Honda (see attached pic)!”

 

“(Student) just picked up her care package and cried! She loved the card made by Maggie- 2nd grade!

Thank you for continuing this! Came at the perfect time as she is a little stressed and homesick! ♥️”

Holy Smoke! Mount Calvary Lutheran BBQ Ministry – Reminiscing over a great year in 2019

Reflections:

Oh, the fellowship with team members, their commitment to this ministry, the joy of great food in the service to others – my reflections are difficult to distill down to a few words. Nonetheless:The mission is simple.The use of great BBQ to pull people together in Christ-centered community and fellowship.

We strive to get our guests to use a meal as a background to spend time with others. From February through November the Holy Smoke! Ministry team participated in 13 events. 2019 found us cooking for four outreach events, such as Families Moving Forward and Thursday Community Meals. Five events focused on Mount Calvary as a congregation including the Cribbage Tournament, Men’s Beer and BBQ, Palm Sunday Sabbath Luncheon, the 2020 fall preschool year kick-off and a post 5 pm worship service BBQ celebration. 

Three events focused on fundraising including the Get#Livin’ Music Festival and Rib Cook-off (their mission is to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention), our second-annual fundraiser for Many Hands-Many Meals and finally a barbecue to assist our neighbors at Excelsior Congregational Church raise much-needed funds for their mission outreach. Finally, one event was a celebration of team members, a July all-team BBQ.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the participation of great team members, the support of a marvelous church body and the presence of the Holy Spirit for guidance. Blessings to all and again, thank you for your ongoing encouragement and support.

Vance Brandt