Alpha Center: “Emily’s Story”
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- Written by Alpha Center Alpha Center
- Created: August 16 2022 August 16 2022
The Alpha Center is a nonprofit Christian Medical Clinic in the heart of Fort Collins and takes pride in providing compassionate, exceptional medical care to those in need of a pregnancy test, options education, STD screening, professional relationship counseling and sexual health education. The Alpha Center does not provide nor refer for abortions. All services are offered at no cost, thanks to the generous support of many individuals, businesses and churches in our community.
Each month, Alpha Center will share a (anonymized) client’s story with us so we can see the impact made by our support.
24 year-old Emily* called our scheduling line stating she wanted an abortion, and the scheduler was able to get her in for an appointment. However, before she came in for her appointment, she changed her mind and decided she wanted to parent.
During the appointment, we were able to pray with the patient, and she was very emotional and grateful for the prayers. We also were able to confirm how far along she was in her pregnancy and let her hear the heartbeat. She was very happy for this.
At the end of the appointment, she shared that she had already established prenatal care and stated that she was so happy she found us and that she was thankful for the prayers and for our services. Praise God that she has chosen life for her baby!
The Board of Human Needs finds opportunities for the members of Saint John’s to provide a Christian witness by helping people in the community struggling with daily necessities.
School Supply Donations for Laurel School
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- Written by Linda Funke Linda Funke
- Created: June 28 2022 June 28 2022
Saint John’s will once again be supporting Laurel Elementary School students with donations of school supplies. Laurel has a large population of students in need, and your donations are used to ensure these children have the right supplies as they begin school and throughout the school year.
The supply lists will be available soon at the Welcome Center. Supplies will be due back to Saint John’s in mid-August. We are also glad to accept monetary donations. You may drop your gift into the offering plate, just be sure it is marked for “Laurel School or “School Supply Drive”. Checks should be made out to Saint John’s.
Thank you for helping us meet this need in our community.
The Board of Human Needs finds opportunities for the members of Saint John’s to provide a Christian witness by helping people in the community struggling with daily necessities.
Alpha Center: “Madelyn’s Story”
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- Written by Alpha Center Alpha Center
- Created: June 08 2022 June 08 2022
The Alpha Center is a nonprofit Christian Medical Clinic in the heart of Fort Collins and takes pride in providing compassionate, exceptional medical care to those in need of a pregnancy test, options education, STD screening, professional relationship counseling and sexual health education. The Alpha Center does not provide nor refer for abortions. All services are offered at no cost, thanks to the generous support of many individuals, businesses and churches in our community.
Each month, Alpha Center will share a (anonymized) client’s story with us so we can see the impact made by our support.
Madelyn came in for her first appointment at almost fourteen weeks pregnant, and she was unsure of who the father of the baby was. At 21, she didn’t feel ready to be pregnant and struggled with the options available to her. She mentioned that although she prays a lot, she feels far from God and very alone.
During her initial appointment, our Intake Specialist prayed with her and helped her get connected to food assistance. At her second appointment, the following week, when asked what her intention for the pregnancy was, she said “After seeing the image of my baby on the screen last week, I cannot have an abortion. I am going to either parent my child or put it up for adoption.” While she herself is adopted and shared a negative experience, she also knows that there are other families out there and that her baby wouldn’t necessarily have the same experience.
During the spiritual conversation in that appointment, she shared ”Last night, I prayed for forgiveness to God and asked him to show me a sign that I was forgiven." Our intake specialist assured her that she already has the sign that she is forgiven for her past, present and future sins when Jesus died on the cross for her sins. She doesn't need a sign. She is already forgiven and God loves her, and she can be free from shame and guilt. They prayed together again for her pregnancy and for her to feel the forgiveness that she has already been given.
We will continue to follow up with her throughout her pregnancy. And, at her last appointment, we were able to get her set up for connections to both physical and relational support resources in our community.
The Board of Human Needs finds opportunities for the members of Saint John’s to provide a Christian witness by helping people in the community struggling with daily necessities.
July LWM Mission Grant Story
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- Written by LWML.org LWML.org
- Created: June 07 2022 June 07 2022
This month we want to tell you more about the “Mercy Medical Care” program of the Tanzania Mwadui Lutheran School and Community, recipients of an $68,182 grant from Lutheran Women in Mission (LWM) in the 2021–2023 biennium.
The Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, which covers the region southeast of Lake Victoria, was created on December 12, 2012. The mission of the diocese is to connect all people to Jesus so that they may inherit eternal life, through preaching the Gospel in word and deed with great emphasis on God’s Word. Their purpose statement includes the phrase “to serve all people spiritually, mentally, and physically through Jesus’ name”.
Mwadui Lutheran School in Tanzania is an example of how they serve people through Jesus’ name. The school is a training place for students aspiring to be pastors, teachers or professionals. The boarding school began in 2010 and currently has over 200 students. The school is a valuable Christian outreach to the community and region known for its pagan spirit and ancestor worship. The school has trained evangelists and pastors while sending professionals, even medical students, to the universities with Biblical-based Christian hearts.
Malaria and other illnesses are still rampant in this region that is poor and lacks adequate healthcare. The nearest dispensary or clinic is fifteen miles from the school. Most members of the school and the Mwadui community do not have transportation available or the funds to pay for transportation to the clinic. Students often become ill living in their close quarters and do not have medical help readily available.
Four years ago, plans began to build a clinic and provide medical care. The construction of the clinic is nearly completed. The next step is to begin this mercy ministry. Medical equipment, medical supplies and medicine to treat the various illnesses need to be purchased. There is a physician ready to serve the clinic when it is equipped.
Money from this grant will provide funds over the next five years to purchase needed supplies. The clinic will serve not only the students of Mwadui Lutheran School but will also serve as a mercy ministry to the community and the region that needs healthcare. The clinic will have the opportunity to witness about our Lord, through care and ministry, helping to spread the Gospel message.
Lutheran Women in Mission (LWM) is the official women’s auxiliary of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942, LWM has focused on affirming each woman’s relationship with Christ, encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and by supporting global missions. For more information on each month’s mission focus, visit LWML.org. Saint John’s Lutheran Women in Mission (Mission Guild) meets the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM in Room 301. All ladies of the congregation are invited to attend.
Sometimes You Want to Go Where Everybody Knows Your Name
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- Written by Linda Funke Linda Funke
- Created: May 24 2022 May 24 2022
Stories from the Food Pantry and Clothing Closet
Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you've got;
Taking a break from all your worries
Sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to be where you can see,
Our troubles are all the same;
You want to be where everybody knows your name. “Theme from ‘Cheers’”
Even if you’ve never seen the TV comedy “Cheers”, you’ve probably heard the theme song “Where Everybody Knows Your Name”. This song came to mind one day when “Dave” arrived at our Food Pantry/Clothing Closet. He hadn’t been there for several months, but when we said, “Welcome back, Dave,” he commented how nice it was to come where we knew his name and asked about his children. Since then, the “Theme from Cheers” has become a type of theme song for us on Tuesdays … and our volunteers make it their mission to build relationships and offer hope in addition to food and clothing. Even though we can’t call everyone who walks through our doors by name, we want them to feel Christ’s love and know “He knows your name”—and we’re always glad you came.
This month we’d like to share some stories to warm your heart and give you a glimpse of how your gifts are making an impact on others’ lives. (Only first names, if known, are being used, out of respect for privacy.)
How a doll changed tears of anxiety to tears of joy
When “Martha” arrived for her first visit, she was very nervous. She began to shake as she filled out the registration form and said she was so embarrassed to have to ask for help. As we assured her that’s why we are here—to help people, she calmed down a little, but soon she was experiencing a full-blown panic attack and cried tears of anxiety. We were able to assist her with her order and asked if she’d like to go to our clothing closet while we got her food. (Most people are very surprised and thankful there is no cost for either food or clothing.) When she came back upstairs, she was so excited she had found a doll for her granddaughter she babysits. She was now crying tears of joy. Yes, Martha, Jesus knew your need for comfort and provided that through a doll someone had donated!
Supporting a young unwed mother through her pregnancy
Abandoned by her baby’s father, Katelyn arrived wanting just a “little” assistance to help her as she prepared for her daughter’s birth. She never asked for much—some cereal, paper products, laundry soap. We were able to refer her to Alpha Center and WIC, and shared in her joy as she brought her little girl into this world. She came by to introduce us to her baby, and was thrilled to receive a baby quilt from the sewing group! As she prepared to move to Colorado Springs, she came by to thank us for the support she had received and she continues to stay in touch. Yes, Katelyn, Jesus knew your need to have some women support and pray for you as you prepared to raise His little lamb on your own!
“Maybe I go your church”
JoJo is a Chinese Christian who was so very thankful to find a wedding dress for her daughter, clothing and household items for herself, and she was delighted when she received jasmine rice and other authentic Chinese specialties donated just for her! She shared her concerns over raising her children in today’s world. She told us she came each week to visit and knew we would pray for her. One day, in thanking us for the “gifts” of food and clothing, she also thanked us for sharing Jesus’ love and said in broken English, “Maybe I go your church.” Yes, JoJo, Jesus knew your need to be among other Christian parents as well as your physical needs for food and clothing, and has answered your prayers for a good job for your husband even though it meant moving to Texas.
We have many, many more stories we could share—stories to touch your heart and bring tears to your eyes; about the squeals of joy when the children find a new toy to take home, or the husband who was delighted to find a plant to take home to his wife, or the new mom who found baby items, or the young woman who took home a box of Christmas ornaments, or the woman who found a suitcase she needed. Everyone who comes in has a story—everyone has a name—and we’re so glad they came!!!
Thank you for sharing God’s love through your monetary donations and donations of food, paper products, hygiene products, clothing, household goods and toys! Your gifts are truly appreciated and help bring people hope!!!! Please pray for the people who come through our doors, that they may see Christ’s love in action and know He calls them by name.
Volunteers are needed—especially for the food pantry, as we’re experiencing growth in our numbers (averaging fifteen to sixteen families per week) and are short-handed this summer. You don’t have to commit to work every week—even one week per month would be greatly appreciated! If interested, please contact Arlene Knox or Linda Funke.
The Food Pantry and Clothing Closet are open Tuesdays, 9:00 to 11:00 AM.
The Board of Human Needs finds opportunities for the members of Saint John’s to provide a Christian witness by helping people in the community struggling with daily necessities.