That memorable line first came to us back in 1980 from Jake and Elwood, otherwise known as “The Blues Brothers.” It made us laugh back then but hasn’t it also stayed with us all these years later? I’m guessing you’ve probably uttered those same words at one time or another and maybe even when you’ve been on a church mission trip. In all honesty, those words should be part of who we are and what we do every single day.
We haven’t had an organized Missions team here at church for awhile but I think that will be changing soon. We have some folks who individually have expressed a real desire to see all of us do a little more to help our neighbors, our city and our world. Pastor Kelly and I are working to bring those folks together along with their ideas and once that happens we’ll be looking for your participation in a variety of ways. One of these folks has the wonderful idea “that every person in the congregation would do at least one mission-related thing a year, even if it is to make sandwiches for Bread & Jam.”
Now just because we haven’t had a team in place doesn’t mean we haven’t been doing mission stuff. Think about all the Pay It Forward toiletry kits our Sunday School children have assembled for our Bread & Jam guests. Likewise, we continue to provide food for the Bay View Community Center food pantry and children’s clothing for Kid’s Kloset. Just recently thirteen of us gave up a Saturday afternoon to assemble food packets for children in Haiti (Feed My Starving Children event).
In February, five of us traveled to Navasota, Texas as part of a very rewarding, week-long Volunteer-in-Mission trip. We have a similar opportunity that I want to encourage you to consider. September 28th through October 3rd are the dates for the annual work camp at our own Lake Lucerne Camp in Neshkoro. Many of us enjoy being there for Winter Camp and now we have a chance to help out with painting, roofing, carpentry, preparing for winter and cleaning the 50-plus buildings that make up this beautiful facility. Cost is $150 which includes lodging, meals, work supplies and a donation to the camp. Watch for more information on The Cube. Wouldn’t it be great if we could put together a good-sized group for this week? Maybe we can even get some “We’re On a Mission from God” t-shirts! Who will go with me?
Blessings,
Pastor Andy