The Big Picture in Ukraine by Scott Yaunt
While I’ve been giving updates about what’s going on here at the youth center in Slovakia with refugees,
a van loaded up with aid.
The Big Picture
While I’ve been giving updates about what’s going on here at the youth center in Slovakia with refugees, I haven’t had the chance to share about the big picture. I want to share some of the other ways the Spiritual Orphans Network Ukraine fund has been helping people in Ukraine as well as refugees who’ve left.
Erik Helgesplass delivering aid to a local hospital
As many of you know Ukrainian men between the ages of 18-60 are not allowed to leave the country. Many of the Ukrainian pastors we know have been serving their people in Ukraine for over two and half months while separated from their wives and children who evacuated the country. I can’t even begin to imagine how difficult this time has been for them and I please encourage you to keep them in your prayers every day.
A van driven by Pastor Oleg with children written on it.
I’ll start with the Lutheran pastors from the German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ukraine, who SON has been partnering with for many years. There is the synod president Pastor Alexander Gross whose daughters will soon join us here in Slovakia to help out with the center and summer camps planned for Slovakia with SON mission teams. Pastor Gross and his wife are in the Odesa area, which has come under heavy rocket attacks over the last month. They run a social kitchen, providing meals to lots of shut-ins and people in need in the villages around Odesa, while also leading worship services and providing spiritual care for his flock.
There is the Bishop Pavlo Shvarts, who serves a congregation in Kharkiv, one of the cities with the heaviest fighting at the moment. He has helped set up humanitarian aid points, visited congregations all over the country including Bila Tserkva, and recently traveled to Vienna to meet with church leaders from all over Europe to give an update on Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis.
Pastor Ihor Shemihon preaching on Easter Sunday
Pastor Ihor Shemihon leads a congregation and ministry in Kyiv. He has also served the congregation in Bila Tserkva for many years and preached there a few weeks ago. He too has been helping provide and transport food and aid to people in need.
Pastor Kostya and Pastor Dennis loading up aid!
Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko is a Lutheran pastor with SELKU (Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ukraine). He has been helping transport women and children to the border, has helped provide food and humanitarian aid near Odesa as well and much more.
Pastor Kostya and Pastor Sergei buying aid in the west of Ukraine
Pastor Костянтин Кисіленко (Kostya) is with Church of Christ in Bila Tserkva and one of my favorite human beings to be around. He too has been helping transport people, food, and humanitarian aid. The congregation in Bila Tserkva has been doing repairs so internally displaced people can temporarily live at the church.
Pastor Oleg and others with a truck loaded with humanitarian aid
Pastor Dennis Sopelnik is also with Church of Christ and helps run the Bear Valley Bible Institute. Dennis has helped drive people to the border, deliver humanitarian aid and even performed a wedding during the war.
A van driven by Pastor Oleg filled with humanitarian aid
Pastor Gross and I back in June.
Pastor Sergey Gritsenko also serves in Bila Tserkva. He has been helping prepare the congregation for refugees as well preaching and leading Bible studies. Sergei is my father in law and has helped take care of our house, watched our dog, and has helped us send money to different pastors and ministries helping out in Ukraine.
Pastor Alexander Gross with a van and trailer filled with humanitarian help
Pastor Ihor's ministry in Kyiv with food packets ready to go.
Finally, while not a pastor, I’ve been touched by the work of Erik Helgesplass, a Norwegian man who lives in the Bila Tserkva region, he has been non-stop driving families to the border and picking up aid. He offered my family and many others the opportunity to stay at their house in the village where it was safer than in the city.
Pastor Pavlo and the congregation in Bila Tserkva
Me with Pastor Oleg and his family back in June
We are blessed to know these men and support their ministry to people in Ukraine in different ways. We’ve also had the opportunity to provide direct financial aid to families in need, help with housing for displaced families and send aid to people in Ukraine. It is because of your generosity we’ve been able to provide funds to these different ministries. I also ask you to pray for Тарас Даниленко a driver from Church of Christ, Vadim, Valery Guk, Sergei, Ruslan, Zhenya and Yura, they are the men from God’s Hidden Treasures who I know have been working hard and doing so much. I know some of their families are abroad as well and they miss them dearly.
Special prayers for safe travel for the family of Kostya and the wife of Dennis, who are traveling to Bila Tserkva from abroad, there stay will be short as they are picking up necessary documents but I know the temporary reunion will be priceless. Please pray for peace, that this war will end and families will be reunited. Next time I hope to share about the many different ways the Slovak church are helping refugees beyond the center where we are staying.
God bless,
Scott
A Conversation with a Ukrainian Refugee Pastor (featuring Rev. Scott Yount)
So much is still happening overseas and it’s effecting the lives of millions of people in the country of Ukraine. Our friend Scott Yount has been a Missionary Pastor in Ukraine since 2014 and is now experiencing being a Refugee and helping so many across the boarder. We would love for you to hear his story and there is even other ways to help out his work.
So much is still happening overseas and it’s effecting the lives of millions of people in the country of Ukraine. Our friend Scott Yount has been a Missionary Pastor in Ukraine since 2014 and is now experiencing being a Refugee and helping so many across the boarder. We would love for you to hear his story and there is even other ways to help out his work.
To support Scott and other Ukrainian work, please visit.
Spiritual Orphans Network - https://sonetwork.org/give/
God’s Hidden Treasures - https://www.godshiddentreasures.org/
If you would like to Give through Grace Hit the give link on the top of the page.
Write Ukraine in Memo Line or Give through Paypal and choose Ukraine.
Brothers Keeper; New Way to Serve.
Helping the Homeless in our community
We are beginning a new ministry to replace Backpack.
With the arrival of Covid we were unable to continue our food backpacks for children at Manatee K -8. Grace Packs stepped in and Manatee has chosen to stay with them.
Grace ran this ministry with Sunlight and All Villages Church for eight years, and I believe all will agree it was a success.
Now it is time to move on.
We are joining Sarah’s kitchen in ministering to the homeless.
Every Tuesday Sarah’s kitchen delivers food to the homeless and we are going to piggyback on their deliveries with toiletries in a gallon Ziploc bag. We are beginning with 25 bags per month 20 adult and five children's bags.We will need the following items in travel sizes or the slightly larger personal size. You will find the dollar store is the best and most economical place to purchase these items.
Toilet paper (no jumbo rolls as they will not fit in the bag),
disposable face masks,
shampoo,
hair conditioner
,washcloths,
bars of soap,
toothbrush ,
toothpaste,
deodorant,
hand sanitizer,
Q-tips,
bug repellent.
For the children's bags we would include
towelettes and
children size disposable face-masks
( for the kids bag the toothbrushes and toothpaste with children's design or characters).
Gallon Ziploc bags and
mini Ziploc bags for the Q-tips. THESE ARE THE BASICS.
In addition we will take travel size
mouthwash,
hand sanitizer
towelettes,
individual bug repellent (the type in hotels when traveling).
Checks to purchase items should be made payable to Grace Lutheran and marked Brothers Keeper.
Our first packing will be Friday, September 24 at 9:30 AM at Grace in the new building.
Photos of items are on the bulletin board in the narthex to guide you. List of items for shopping is available for your use. If you have questions please see Leigh Liagre or Carol Coffman
Here's what you need to know about the City's stormwater system
Heads up, Port St. Lucie: Our area could see some wet weather this weekend, so here’s what you should know about the city’s stormwater system and how to maintain the swale on your property.
Learn more about the City's stormwater system at www.cityofpsl.com/swale
Heads up, Port St. Lucie: Our area could see some wet weather this weekend, so here’s what you should know about the city’s stormwater system and how to maintain the swale on your property.
Learn more about the City's stormwater system at www.cityofpsl.com/swale
Winn Dixie Bags benefiting community care building
Be sure to shop at this local Winn Dixie and look for the display,
Usually near the checkout counters! All proceeds for this event will go to help us furnish our new building – the church body voted to not include furnishings in the mortgage but to raise them separately. So, we need your help, and this is one of the ways to do it!
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH chosen by Winn Dixie to benefit from the Community Care Building Recyclable Bag Program – for the month of July 2020 for our Grace / Alzheimers Community Care Building!
Grace Lutheran Church / Alzheimer’s Community Care Building Project has been selected by Winn Dixie as part of their Community Bag Program that benefits non-profits!
For the month of JULY 2020, we will receive $1.00 for each purchase of the $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Winn Dixie store located at 281 SW Port St. Lucie Boulevard.
The Community Bag Program makes it easy for shoppers to support our project.
Be sure to shop at this local Winn Dixie and look for the display,
Usually near the checkout counters! All proceeds for this event will go to help us furnish our new building – the church body voted to not include furnishings in the mortgage but to raise them separately. So, we need your help, and this is one of the ways to do it!
Back Packs for Children in Haiti
Backpacks for Children in Haiti
Last Pickup August 9th
BIG NEED: Backpacks
See pictures of possible (simple/basic) bags ideas.
Normal school supplies are needed.
I have been told Dollar General has a great selection.
The PO Box is incorrect on the handout.
Send Money to the Church with the proper note and we will make sure it gets to Them.
Bahamas Hurricane Relief
We really need money right now.
Any donation sent to grace for Bahamas relief will be sent to one of our churches commuted to helping in the Bahamas. Any donation will be sent along with no fees.
OLD INFO
Grace is Collecting Items to be Sent to the Bahamas
We are collecting
Water
No Perishable Food Items.
Gift of Money
The FLGA District of the LCMS is committed to helping the effort and will send 100% of your Disaster Relief gift to help.
Give online by going to https://flgadistrict.org then clicking online giving. Then designate how much to Disaster Response.
Or you can give money designated to FLGA Disaster Responses to grace and we will send it to the FLGA District.
Here is a Letter from our Distinct President Greg Walton
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings in the name of our gracious Savior Jesus!
You have no doubt heard the news of the devastation in the Bahamas. Many of you are also aware that we have one congregation there, Nassau Lutheran Church, located on the Island of Nassau. It sustained no damage, but the big Island, Grand Bahama, is utterly destroyed. These folks need our help. Your help is urgently needed. We are working with Pastor Sam Boodle of Nassau to help assess needs and respond. We invite all congregations to designate a special offering to the Florida-Georgia District for Disaster Assistance for the Bahamas over the next few weeks or donate directly to our disaster fund through the FLGA District website (flgadistrict.org). Jay Wendland (jwendland@flgadistrict.org), our District Disaster Coordinator, will be working with local agencies and contacts in the Bahamas to ensure that donated funds are correctly directed to help those in need get emergency food, clothing, shelter and other basic necessities.
We do understand that there are many local initiatives and agencies also reaching out to help the nation of Bahamas. We do not want to compete, and encourage you to support those ministries and agencies locally as they collect supplies to be shipped to Freeport and Abaco. However, there is plenty to be done, and the Florida-Georgia District will continue to work with the Synod to receive financial contributions to support the long-term work that will be happening in the Bahamas in the coming months and years. We invite you to partner with us in this endeavor as we lift these people in prayer. Thank you!
In His peace,
Rev. Dr. Gregory S. Walton, President
The Florida-Georgia District, LCMS
MOPS-Care Net
In our meeting the end of February, our mommies donated and put together over 50 "mommy care bags" for the mothers Care Net serves. We also had a representative from Care Net come and speak to our group. Thanks also to Thrivent Financial!
The Divine Momedy
Tickets on sale now! Moms of all ages and stages. Grab a friend for an evening of comedy, music, appetizers, & surprise guests! Don't miss out on this fun ladies night out!
Black Tie Bingo
January 27th Benefiting Family Meals.
January 27th - 6PM
Pelican Yacht Club.
1120 Seaway Dr, Fort Pierce, Florida 34949
Pastor Ron will be selling tickets on This Sunday the 14th.
Black Tie Bingo Event --2nd annual !
Get dressed up and enjoy Bingo games like none other!
We offer 5 Bingo games and each Bingo prize is valued over $500.00 value !
Passed appetizers and a plated dinner
Cash bar/ music/dancing/silent auction
$75.00 ticket price
Saturday, January 27 at the Pelican Yacht Club in Fort Pierce
6:00 - 10:00
Traxx Entertainment will entertainment and will also call Bingo numbers.
Buy extra Bingo games and have more opportunities to win!
Profits will go to offset Thanksgiving and Easter costs.
Family Meals, Inc is a 501 (c)3, all volunteer, local organization.
Luther 500 Challenge
500 years to 500 hours. To change the world once again.
500 years ago Luther challenged the church. He challenged them to put Jesus as the focus in their lives, to make our personal theology one about the cross rather than some empty, selfish glory.
In that same honor, we want to show our community of the Treasure Coast that we love Jesus and all He does.
Throughout the month of October, as we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, let us look beyond the walls of Grace Lutheran Church and see how we can partner in what Jesus and His followers are doing to help strengthen our brother and sisters outside our walls.
I would like to challenge us as an congregation to tally up at least 500 community service hours throughout the month of October. We will coordinate and advertise a wide variety of service projects and ways to help our neighbors in the coming weeks.
If any of you have connections or leads on how to serve others in October, please let Pastor Cris know.
Fill out the Form Bellow to log your hours
Ideas!
- Serve your neighbor.
- Help them out.
- have a good conversation
- Have dinner with a neighbor.
- Serve a sarah's kitchen or Mustard seed
- Help out at church
- Sign up to help with something.
- come to events that help the community
Check back Soon. With Ideas and to see how we are doing.
Family Meals Volunteer Orientation
Monday at Trinity Lutheran Ft Perice
Hello,
Great news! Family Meals just completed our biggest and most successful Summer Outreach ever! A big thank you to all our dedicated volunteers for helping us help local families understand what a difference a family meal can make to their families.
Lots of volunteers pulled, pushed, loaded, sorted, counted and delivered uncooked meal bags to over 1300 families a couple of weeks ago! Wow!
As we continue to grow with such momentum, we are experiencing growing pains and need your help.
We are hosting a volunteer (leader and assistant) orientation and providing a light supper. Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church ( trinitychurch4u.com) Monday, August 28. We plan to begin at 5:30 - 7:30.
We're looking forward to the opportunity to show you how you can become an integral part of Family Meals, Inc. Family Meals' leaders will describe their roles and how you can assist them.
We're expanding our Outreach Board and have several assistant needs. We have openings on our Executive Board too. As Family Meals continue to grow, our needs grow as well.
Please join us Monday, August 28 and see how you can help us help more families.
If you're on facebook, here's a link to the orientation.
https://www.facebook.com/events/144600639480349
Please let us know if you can make it. We want to make sure we have enough food.
https://www.volunteersignup.org/YPE9K
Please prayerfully consider offering your help in a leadership or an assistant role. We look forward to seeing you on Monday, August 28 at 5:30
- 7:30.
Blessings,
Martha Taylor
Family Meals, Inc.
President
772-210-0900 <(772)%20210-0900> Family Meals' number
772-370-0891 <(772)%20370-0891> personal cell
Visit our website at familymealsinc.org
Please like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FamilyMealsInc
Tree Giveaway
Keep St Luice Beautiful Tree Give away. St Luice Botanical Gardens. Oct 16th
Care Net Banquet 2017
Thursday, September 14, 2017 and Friday, September 15, 2017 6:30 pm
Every Human Life Has Purpose
28th Annual Fund Raising Banquet
Thursday, September 14, 2017 and Friday, September 15, 2017 6:30 pm
Seating Port St. Lucie Civic Center 9221 SE Civic Center Place Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
You will meet and hear the story of our Client of the Year for 2018, but here’s a little glimpse. Dominique, her husband Sean, and their 2 daughters relocated to Port St. Lucie last year. When they discovered they were expecting their 3rd child, they didn’t know where to go for help. They did an internet search and found Care Net! Dominique and Sean came in, met with a peer counselor, confirmed their pregnancy, and oh so much more! Please come and let us share with you how we were able to bless and be blessed by this amazing family! Their 3rd little girl is due in September! Our guest speaker this year is Ryan Bomberger. Ryan is an Emmy® Award-winning creative professional, citizen journalist, factivist, and author of the new book, Not Equal: Civil Rights Gone Wrong. He is also the co-founder of The Radiance Foundation (www.TheRadianceFoundation.org), a life-affirming organization based on the belief that every human life has purpose. Ryan has a rather unique perspective on the innate nature of purpose. He is one of ten children, who were adopted and loved, in a multi-racial family of fifteen. Today, as an adoptee and adoptive father, he enjoys illuminating the intrinsic worth we all possess. While there is no charge for this event, an opportunity will be provided at the dinner to help this ministry with your financial gift and pledges of time, talents, and resources.
Good Morning! Can you believe it? Our Annual Fund Raising Banquet is just over a month away!!! The dates are Thursday, September 14, and Friday, September 15.
Attached are two things:
1. Bulletin Insert in pdf format. If you have bulletins, could you please insert them into your bulletins at least on August 20 and 27? If not and you can have them available at your information desks, that’s great too!! 2. Slide for inclusion into your Sunday morning announcements.
Also, here’s the link for our 1 minute YouTube announcement………………………
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xzVqzI-gAY
Thank you all so very much for your love of Care Net, and for your friendship. We are blessed beyond measure because of you and your faithfulness!!!
If you need anything additional, or have any questions, please let me know.
Blessings,
Debi Boerckel
Office Manager
Care Net Pregnancy Services
8432 S. Federal Highway
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
(772)871-2211
www.CareNetTC.com (Client Emphasis)
www.CareNetFriends.com (Donor Emphasis)
www.ProtectTheHeart.org (Student Emphasis)
Luther Movie - October 19th
One-night Movie Event
Don’t miss this special event: a one-time showing of the new Martin Luther film at:
Regal Cinemas Treasure Coast Mall on October 19 at 6:30pm
One-night Movie Event
Don’t miss this special event: a one-time showing of the new
Martin Luther film at:
Regal Cinemas Treasure Coast Mall on October 19 at 6:30pm
This special screening is the perfect outreach opportunity... a chance to invite friends and neighbors to an event in a community setting. This entertaining new film follows the great adventure story of Luther’s life, packed with political intrigue, kidnappings, and life-or-death showdowns. At the same time, it's a story about the most important questions of life, including "Who am I?" "What is my purpose" and "How do I get right with God?"
It’s a must-see for any lifelong Lutheran, and a chance to share the message of your Lutheran heritage with others. And the only place you can see the film is in the theater on the night of our church’s special event.
This is the first time in more than 60 years that Lutherans have made a feature-length film about Martin Luther and the Reformation. Filmed in historic locations across Europe, this movie brings Luther’s story to life with exquisite attention to detail. It’s a chance to strengthen your faith by revisiting the birth of Protestant Reformation, and to share that experience with others.
IMPORTANT: All tickets ($12 each) must be purchased in advance. Tickets can be purchased at a special web site set up for the screening:
https://new.tugg.com/events/martin-luther-the-idea-that-changed-the-world-ivev
Family Meals Food Drive Spring 2017
Family Meals Food Drive!
