Reflections on Values – Outreach & Mission
by Norma Raffety
When you hear the words ‘outreach ministry’ or ‘mission work’ what is the first thing you think of? Do you think of the missionaries all over the world spreading the gospel or the organizations locally that reach out to the poor and homeless?
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod , of which Faith is a part of, has a mission statement which reads “In grateful response to God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is vigorously to make know the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities, and the world”.
Matthew 25:35-40 says,
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
Faith Lutheran members are reaching out in various ways to serve the community through the Sunrise Food Closet, St. John’s Women’s Shelter, visiting the sick and shut-in, leading a worship service for the convalescent him, making quilts for St. John’s and Lutheran World Relief. As individuals you reach out to your neighbors when they need help, give to our mission programs, serve at the food closet, volunteer at hospitals and at the police department, give to foster children at Christmas time, and serve on committees in your local communities.
Now we must ask ourselves, is Faith Lutheran committed to continuing to reach our community through building relationships, nurturing emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs, and providing programs to strengthen family relationships?
Let’s continue to pray and ask God’s direction on how we can reach out even more!