This year, St. Luke will be supporting two organizations, and they are requesting gifts again!

Circles Program is having a dramatic impact on moving families out of poverty. It matches a person in poverty with middle or upper-income partners for at least 18 months. These relationships help break the cycle of generational poverty by assisting families to create their paths out of poverty and achieve economic independence.

Kids Hope USA is a mentoring ministry that equips volunteers to build caring and life-changing relationships with students in elementary schools—our St Luke Kids Hope Ministry partners with Estabrook Elementary in Ypsilanti. Estabrook is a second through fifth-grade school with approximately 300 students and over 60 staff members.

Stop by the Giving Tree (which is set up in the lobby next to the Church office) and pick an ornament, buy the gift listed on the back of the ornament, and bring the gift back to St. Luke in a gift bag by December 8.  Here are the items requested and further directions:

Circles Families Gifts – Red Tree Ornaments:

The Circles program is planning a Christmas party that will include assembling and decorating gingerbread houses by each of the families currently involved in the program. So that each family will have the same “building materials,” we will purchase the kits plus extra “materials” for decorating.  When you take one of these tags, please make a $20 monetary gift through St. Luke.  To do this, please bring or mail a check to the church made out to St. Luke and indicate on the memo “Giving Tree.”  Or online – use the fund called “Christmas Giving Tree” on the St. Luke website and the St. Luke app under “Give.”

Kids Hope USA – Estabrook Elementary – all other Ornaments:

These gifts are for eight families at Estabrook Elementary that are a part of our Kids Hope USA ministry.  The back of each ornament will have a tag with the age, gender, and specific gift wish of a child.  Only one of the following will be on each tag:

• Two clothing items totaling no more than $40

Or

• One toy/game/craft/sports equipment item totaling no more than $40

Or

• One age-appropriate book for no more than $10

Or

• One gift card to Meijer, Target, or Walmart worth $30 for the parents

Please purchase only the item on the tag and return it to St. Luke by December 8 in a gift bag with the ornament tag attached (so we can get the gift to the correct family). Similarly, please return gift cards in a gift box with the ornament tag attached to the gift box by December 8.

If you want to buy more than one gift, take more ornaments!

Let’s come together as the body of Christ to shine His light in this world!

Thank You for your generosity and making this Christmas special for these families!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!