Care Packages for our College Students

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God will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13.

This is the verse that began Pastor Dave’s 2018 letter to our college-student members. Copies of the letter were included in boxes that contained snacks, novelty items, home-baked cookies, and personal care items. 100 of these boxes were mailed to college students at the beginning of December, just in time for finals. These gifts from their church are intended to provide our kids a little boost during a stressful time of the year.

This tradition began about six years ago, when some Sunday School moms began to think about a way they could care for, and keep in touch with, Mount Calvary students away at college. “It all started with collecting leftover Halloween candy,” said Brenda Lund, our Faith Formation Assistant, and the coordinator of the program. “We sent the candy, along with a card, a letter from Pastor Dave, and a few added treats.”

The program has evolved so that now the boxes include nut-free options and just the right mix of healthy and not-so-healthy treats. A sweet card from the Sunday School kids is always included, along with the letter and a novelty item from Pastor Dave. This year’s box included Kleenex, Chapstick and toothbrushes too!

Treats are donated by families of the students, and fresh-baked, chocolate chip cookies are contributed by the Women of Thunder Bible study members. Parent volunteers then gather to pack the boxes and get them ready for mailing. “It’s a double ministry,” said Brenda, “because it also gives parents a chance to see each other and reconnect.”

Thanks to all who contributed or helped pack and mail boxes. They were much appreciated by the students! Here is a sampling of the responses we received from both students and parents:

I would just like to say thank you for the box of snacks and goodies I got from the church this week. It has helped deal with the stress during this stressful time in college.

(Student) asked me to share how much he appreciated getting the care package. What a great ministry! Special shout out for the customized, nut-free packing. 

Thanks so much for doing this!  My kids have always loved receiving the boxes and feeling the connection to church, especially at this time of year!


Thank you all so much for putting this together, this absolutely made my day and turned my week around for sure!!

We are so proud of our students, and loved seeing many of them home for Christmas!

A Message from Pastor Dave 1-4-19

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In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”
 
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. Matthew 2:1-12
 
Happy New Year! The quirky little story about the three dignitaries from the East who follow the star to the manger of Jesus is among the more well-known stories from Jesus’ life. Perhaps because of all the Christmas pageants, perhaps because of the Christmas Carols (“We Three Kings,” etc.), even those who are least familiar with the story of Jesus have heard the story of the wise men who come to visit the baby Jesus.
 
They are not, however, kings. The Greek word that describes them (magi) can be translated either as “wise men” or “astrologers.” They were likely part of a Persian or Babylonian group of priests who studied the heavens looking for signs from the gods. They interpret the appearance of a star to signal the birth of a new, world leader and they set out to find who and where. When Matthew elected to include them in his telling of the story of Jesus’ birth, he is calling attention to the truth that the gift of God’s Son is a gift for the whole world! These non-Jewish leaders are drawn by God’s initiative through a means of God’s choosing to draw them to the Christ. What we know is that they come, they worship, they leave their gifts, and being warned of the harm King Herod intends to do to this newborn king, they return home “by another road.” After they leave, we never hear about them again.
 
In a wonderful vignette from the book The Shack, fictional character, Mac, asks Jesus if it is true that all religions are the same and that all roads lead to God. Jesus responds, “Most roads don’t lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you.” I believe that. I believe God chose one particular road and one particular life through which to make Himself most fully known. Jesus is that Way and Jesus is that Life. But I also believe that God never ceases in His efforts to gather and love the people of this planet and is at work in ways we would have never imagined. God is there on whatever path or road you may be walking this day and eager to hold your attention and finally your heart. Be alert and aware, people of God! When God draws you in, it is never the same road home. Make it a blessed and faithful New Year!