Angel Tree – Linda Coutts

The Angel Tree has always been an inspirational part of Advent.  This year was no exception.  We had 75 angels on the tree going to boys and girls ages infant to 13. What was new in 2013 was the organization we worked with in Phoenix. ICM (Interfaith Cooperative Ministry) Food and Clothing Bank was very excited to work with us and we hope to continue this partnership Living Water members were asked to spend $30.00 on a toy and clothing item for our “Angel” and placed them in a paper bag.  They picked up our bags, separated the gifts by age and sex, and then allowed the parents to come into their facility and pick out a toy, clothing item, and book to take home, wrap and place under their Christmas tree.  I would also like to thank Patty Sell, Lois Lucas, Helen Frantz and Leila Burrus for their artistic talents making our Angels this year. Our valued contribution for 2013 was approximately $2250.

Birthday and Anniversary Cards from the Congregation – Patty Sell

Birthday and wedding anniversary poster cards signed by the congregation are delivered to members who are celebrating their 80th birthday and/or 50th wedding anniversary and then every 5 years beyond the initial “Milestone” birthday/anniversary.  Between the 5 year anniversaries, greeting cards are sent that have been signed by the Pastor, Church Council and Office Staff.  In 2013, eleven poster cards were created, signed and delivered and approximately 40 poster/greeting cards are expected to be delivered in 2014.

Box Tops  and Soup Labels – Kristin Mathews and Helen Frantz

Collection of Box Tops and soup labels continue throughout the year.  Approximately every 2 months the Box Tops and Labels are mailed and distributed to the Navaho Lutheran Mission. Helen Frantz will take over this Mission in 2014.  We would like to thank Kristin Mathews for her contributions for 2013.

ELCA Good Gifts – Joyce Bash

Members and friends of Living Water have the opportunity to purchase gifts that grow the church, fight hunger and transform lives.  In 2013 we estimate the value to be $2800. ELCA Good Gifts go beyond your regular congregational offering to support the ministries of the ELCA that mean the most to you and your loved ones.  Together, we do more than we could ever do alone.  Each year more and more people at Living Water are doing this type of gift giving.  One 8 year old boy is doing jobs around his home so he can buy a goat.  Another man insisted he didn’t want any kind of gift for Christmas and he was given a goat.  He was amazed, ecstatic and claimed it was the best gift he had ever received.  The number of mosquito nets given and received has gone past the 100 mark many times. This ministry is available year around for any occasion or just because at www.ELCA.org/goodgifts.

The Eucharistic Ministry – Ardie Senft

The Eucharistic Ministry visits and provides fellowship, scripture, and holy communion to those who are unable to actively attend services. Currently we have Ken and Joyce Bash, Marcia Page and Ardie Senft as members of this ministry. We hope to add additional members to this vital outreach in 2014. Please contact Ardie if you are interested.

Grace Lutheran Church – Vern Reamer

Every 2 to 3 weeks throughout the year we deliver travel size personal care samples and clothing items with a value of $5000. They are definitely in need of more clothing. In support of their Summer Respite program Tuesday @ 10 ladies joined the women of St. Andrews and served a meal for 175 in 2013, which is their average of meals served per day. LWLC Vacation Bible School also provided 2000 bottles of water for the Respite program. In 2014 we plan to bring back the opportunity to serve them with their pancake breakfast at least 2 times. In 2014 they will be celebrating their 100^th Anniversary.

Lunches 4 Learning – Dave Gallimore

In November of 2013, I had the good fortune to attend the graduation programs for the two schools that Living Water supports, thru the Lunches 4 Learning program in Honduras. What a great experience it was! The parents and children were very appreciative to have a representative of the sponsor of their school attending the ceremony. In fact; one of the schools sixth grade class requested a meeting with me after the ceremony just to thank Living Water for all their support. They really do appreciate it! The other school presented a plaque to Living Water which had been made by one of the village Father’s. Our total  gift of $12,500 in 2013, received from the Lenten Services, Change 4 Change and Individual contributors continues to support their education.

In general, the people in Honduras survive on very little. Most of the people are farmers working very small plots of ground that run up the side of the mountains. Due to all of the large boulders they plant each stalk of corn with a stick, one at a time. During my visit, it was brought to my attention, the need of new desks at Dr. Ersy Mejia School. They requested a total of 25 desks, with a total cost of $1000 to $1200. I have been praying about this when the Lord showed me the way.  As you all know our good friend, Kevin Moore, recently gave me a check for Lunches 4 Learning in the amount of $500.00. I would like to use that check to start the fund for the desks and name the fund in memory of Kevin Moore.

Note Writing Ministry – Patty Sell

The note writing ministry sends greeting cards to people listed on the Prayer Request page in Connections.  The notes are signed “From your friends at Living Water Lutheran Church, We are praying for you!” and the LWLC address is used for the return address.  A total of 70 notes were written and sent in 2013 by the following members:  Madeline Donner, Doreen Pritts, Ginny Alexander, Patty Sell, Pam Landon, JulieAnn Walker, and Poli Crawford.

Prayer Shawl Ministry Team – Jill Wehr

Knitters and crocheters – beginners as well as those with more experience – gather regularly to make prayer shawls, lap blankets, prayer squares and baby blankets. After being blessed, these shawls, blankets and squares are presented to individuals who are ill or need the comfort of a shawl as they experience a time when prayer is important in their lives or to those being baptized.  This ministry team operated under shared leadership Lois Lucas and Jill Wehr. This team meets on the second Tuesday of each month from noon to 2:00.

Prayer Chain Ministry – Rita Reamer  

Prayer Chain Ministry is active with four current participants.  We are always looking for new partners to increase the power of prayers offered to those in need at Living Water.  I would like to thank the other members of the prayer partners: Janis Fjeld, Doreen Pritts, and Leila Burrus.

Change for Change – THE HUNGER JAR – LeeAnn Land

Do you see all those people going up to put their “change” in the Hunger Jar – Change for Change Jar?   It is truly amazing what a penny can buy, especially when there’s a jar of them!  We have been seeing an upward trend in the Hunger Jar offerings this year which has contributed to meeting the food needs of several organizations in 2013. Funds are generally split evenly between world hunger and local hunger needs.

• ELCA World Hunger ($905)
• Lunches for Learning in Honduras schools ($500)
• Partnered with “Tuesdays at Ten” with a special appeal ($650) for 3 trips during the year to  Feed My Starving Children, a world-wide hunger ministry.
• La Sagrada Familia Lutheran Church ($200 towards groceries for during the summer -This is in addition to the grocery cart and special offerings.)

Habitat for Humanity – John and Marilyn Goesling

A Habitat for Humanity house in Glendale was completed in the spring of 2013 and dedicated on June 15.  Living Water was one of the congregations of the Northeast Lutheran Coalition that along with APS and U-Haul sponsored this “build.”  Each congregation in the coalition is responsible for both financial and worker support.  John and Marilyn Goesling coordinate these projects for Living Water.  This was the 13th Habitat House that Living Water has participated in Building in the Phoenix area.  Many lives have been changed. As a tax credit, $3750 was given in 2013.

La Sagrada Familia Lutheran Church – Sal DeBenedetto and Denny Dumler

Several times a year Denny and Sal go shopping to help keep the food pantry full for their members. In addition to the $200 from Change 4 Change for groceries, $150 was given to La Sagrada Familia to cover their costs for the soup supper during Lent. They also received in groceries half ($2007.50) of the Lenten Services collections and all $696 of the Thanksgiving offering in November. The total amount for the gifts in kind for 2013 was $3200.

Lenten Offering

The amount of $4015.00 was split between Lunches for learning (cash) and La Sagrada Familia Lutheran Church for groceries. Detailed information will follow in their respective areas.

Living Water Lutheran Church Book Drive – Sue Brash

Living Water conducts an ongoing collection of new and gently used books for babies through adults.  These collections are then distributed throughout the Phoenix core area by Assistance League of Phoenix, striving to put books in the homes of families who are financially challenged.  Many books are chosen by Title I schools’ students being given much-needed school uniforms and shoes.  Interfaith Cooperative Ministries and Desert Mission food banks also receive children’s books and adult materials on cooking and nutrition.  In 2013, the congregation gathered 1,629 helpful books!  Please continue to solicit book donations from family and neighbors and contact Sue and Eric Brash, ssuebrash@aol.com, 480-816-9486 with questions.

LSS-SW Refugee Resettlement – Vern Reamer

Our family of Ro Then Tum, Tel Zeng, Samuel and Micah are doing well. Ro Then works for Royal Paper and Tel Zeng has her hands full with a 4 year old and an infant. Living Water held a baby shower for them in August. Through the generosity of members of the Living Water community we were able to provide furniture, clothing and miscellaneous items in excess of $1,500.  They were overwhelmed and very appreciative of all the good things we give and do for them. I enjoy stopping by now and then just to check on how they are doing. We are waiting for our next family from Lutheran Social Services Southwest.  We will keep you posted on our needs.

Reverse Tent Sale – Ed & Penny Kilburn

In November we hosted our 2^nd Reverse Tent Sale. Thank you everyone who freely gave of their time, muscle and donations. The donations went to the following organizations: Lutheran Social Services, Lutheran Thrift Shop, LSS-SW Refugee Resettlement, and Assistance League of Phoenix. The value of these donations for 2013 at $2500.

Tamales Sales – Patty Sell

Each year the ladies of La Sagrada Familia Lutheran Church in Phoenix make more than a thousand tamales to sell in the community to raise money for their church.  Living Water has supported their efforts in past years and 2013 was no different.  In 2013, members of Living Water pre-ordered 37 dozen tamales from La Sagrada.  The tamales were sold for $15.00 per dozen and a check for $555.55 was given to La Sagrada.

Vista Del Camino Food Collection – LeeAnn Land

Vista Del Camino and Living Water Feed Scottsdale Residents in Need!  Once again, the kindness, caring, good hearts, and generosity of the family at Living Water made a tremendous difference in the lives of Scottsdale residents in need in these difficult economic times, and especially throughout the holidays. Together our Living Water family provided grocery-filled bags with 65 complete Thanksgiving meals for the elderly and individuals & families in crisis. In addition, our selfless giving of $330 cash and $845 in gift cards for a total value of $4425 which enabled Vista del Camino to provide many more meals to people right here in Scottsdale who are experiencing a need for the first time and need a helping hand, not a handout. Thank you for your compassionate involvement in this ministry! If you would like to be part of this ministry in the future, contact LeeAnn Land.