Deacons

The Board of Deacons is a small group of dedicated folks who have a great desire to help others. They have a moderator who is elected by the board. Their mission is to assist the pastor in supporting the spiritual needs of members and to administer to the needy. This includes coordinating the weekly prayer calendar, mailing “get well” and sympathy cards, visiting shut-ins, preparing meals for bereaved families after a funeral and providing food and clothing for needy families at Thanksgiving and Christmas time. As Christmas approaches, they run the entire "gifts for children from families in need" program. Each month the deacons prepare the communion table for the worship services. They prepare two loaves of bread, often home baked, and supply the grape juice. They also prepare communion for special services, including Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Easter Sunrise, Seder Dinner, and Christmas Eve.

During the year, 2007, 70-75 greeting cards were mailed to church members or their families; deacons visited 4-6 “shut-in” persons on a regular basis to offer prayers, greetings, and news of the church; assisted with receptions for 2-3 funerals; with contributions from the congregation, prepared Thanksgiving baskets for 16 local families and Christmas presents for 32 local children. 3-5 needy persons were provided food from the food pantry, blankets and towels from members’ contributions and two persons were given a tank of gas so they could return to their home. On a monthly schedule, deacons prepared the communion table for two worship services with grape juice and bread. This included special services such as Maundy Thursday and Christmas Eve.

The Deacons also work with the Comfort and Joy Circle, and the Casa Rosa Food Pantry, which is a joint ministry of the Mission Committee and the Deacons.

Church members are encouraged to share with any individual Deacon when they have a concern for the welfare of any member or member of the community in need. With all this activity, they still manage to meet once a month. The entire congregation is grateful for all they do!

The Deacons welcome Charlotte L as a new Deacon, and enthusiastically thank Elsie D and Bill L who have volunteered for a second three-year term on the Board. Anna H, who was a deacon previously, will take over as Moderator of the Deacons for 2008. Thanks to all the Deacons who serve so faithfully in reaching out to those among and around us in need.

Comfort & Joy Circle

The Knit Goes On

The Comfort & Joy Circle members meet prayerfully monthly to knit shawls for individuals who have personal spiritual needs because of bereavement, health needs, or when they are burdened or grieved as caregivers of loved ones with serious health concerns.

All who are interested in participating in this touching ministry, are invited to join the C & J Circle at their next meeting on Monday, May 5, 2:00pm. All are invited to participate with their time and talents knitting or crocheting, providing donations for yarn purchases, or recommending gifts of shawls for individuals in need of comforting embrace. Knitting instruction is available and requests for shawls may be made through the pastor or Deacons.

Members of the circle have been very busy so far this year knitting and crocheting shawls and afghans to keep up with requests for comfort items for individuals and families facing illness, loss of a loved one or care-givers. Fourteen prayer shawls have already been delivered in 2008 and we have received several notes of thanksgiving for the prayers of the congregation and the comfort of the shawls.

Prayer Shawl Recipients Give Thanks

"My thanks to all of you for your prayers."

"I will remember you every time I wear the beautiful shawl."

"What a lovely gift . . . I can see myself reaching for it whenever I feel “chilly” which is often since I’ve lost a good amount of weight."

"Thank you for the wonderful shawl. It is amazing—I can really feel the blessings when I wrap it around my shoulders."

"What a great honor . . . . Every time I see it or wear it, I feel great comfort and the loving arms of all my friends from LPPC."

"What a wonderful surprise! Thank you for thinking of me."

"It is with a heart that has been soothed and comforted that I write to thank you for the beautiful and healing shawl you knitted for me."

"Your gift offers solace and sharing in ways you may not imagine. I thank you."

"What can I say? You wonderful people have all made me feel special. The beautiful shawl, but especially your prayers. Thank you."

"The beautiful shawl came from your hands to my heart."

"That shawl is the most awesome gift I have ever received and I love it very much."

"I have used my lovely shawl many, many times in the last month. Sees I have needed lots of hugs lately as I have navigated through my sorrow. . ."