August 2007

Dear Zion Parents and Students,

This year we invite each of you to partner with us in supporting Christian mission work both in our nation and abroad.  You will have the opportunity to do so through your prayers and through a project coordinated by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML). They have provided each classroom with a mission offering box.

 

These boxes have been nicknamed  “mite boxes” because they can remind us of what Jesus taught us about giving from our hearts in the Gospel account of the poor widow’s offering of a mite recorded in both Luke 21:1-4 and Mark 12:41-44. (A mite was worth less than a penny.) Although the coins were of little monetary value, Jesus said she gave more than the rest because she thankfully gave with her whole heart, trusting in Him.  Feel free to give any amount, as the Lord leads you. Jesus values the spirit with which we give, not the amount. 

 

Students, you may place your pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, or dollars on any day of the school week. Once a month, we will have a special day called “MITE BOX MONDAY” when the offerings will be gathered.  You and/or your class may want to record on a graph your progress over the year in supporting mission work.  We pray that the Lord will bless you as you seek to share His love with those in need.

 

Your offerings will specifically support the following mission work of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League:

• Training deaf ministry leaders

• Providing portable medical clinics in Sudan, East Africa

• Building churches in India

• Supporting Lutheran missionaries throughout the world

• Opening Blind Mission Outreach Centers nationwide

• Supporting the work of Bible translators

• Supporting inner-city children’s ministries

• Supporting cross-cultural urban ministries

• Supporting soup kitchens

• Assisting Lutheran City Ministries in outreach to the homeless

• Supporting Christian family counseling centers

• Expanding mission work in Africa

• Supporting circuit pastors who travel to serve rural U.S. communities

• Supporting Christian mission work and education centers in Muslim communities (Africa and Bangladesh)

• Establishing Lutheran campus ministries in the U.S.

• Expanding Internet streaming capabilities of Christian radio stations

• Providing scholarships to students preparing for child-welfare careers