(2018) We are grateful and encouraged by all of the ways the SOTV congregation has participated in serving others, particularly during this Year of Send. Members have intentionally looked for ways to use their spiritual gifts to serve as our faith leads us in Jesus’ name.
The Pack the Pews event was wildly successful, with our ambitious goal of 15,000 lbs. of food reached and exceeded one week before the end of the Lenten season. Thanks to all who so generously donated food to stock our food shelf for families in Dakota county!
“Thank you to everyone who participated in our Minnesota Foodshare, Lenten “Pack the Pews” Collection! 24, 272 pounds of food was collected…way to go!”
“Because of those efforts, we celebrated with a “wacky hat/hair” weekend on April 7 & 8. The entire congregation was invited to wear their wacky hats. The food shelf & our community thank you!”
As we look to May, our next opportunity will be a fun way for individuals and families to “Take Out Jesus,” in an inter-generational event for the summer. This activity will be introduced on Mother’s Day weekend during Good News for Kids at all services, and on the following weekend when graduates will be honored. Children (of all ages!) will be given a figure of Jesus on a stick with ideas on the back for ways to serve others. The focus is on the idea of taking Jesus out with us to serve. We encourage photos with “Take Out Jesus” in your service activities to be sent and shared on the SOTV website – instructions will be given. It will be a fun way to see how the congregation finds way to serve others as we wind up the school year and head into summer.
