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Newsletters>
Newsletter August 2009
August 1, 2009
Come join with Christians from
the Greater Merced area for:
An Evening of
Musical Praise
To Benefit Love INC
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Christian Life Center
650 E Olive Avenue, Merced
7:00 p.m.
The evening will feature
contemporary and traditional Christian music led by several area churches, including:
Christian Life Center
Evergreen Christian Center
Gateway Community Church
And others . . . . .
A free will offering will be taken for Love INC of Greater Merced
Don’t miss this opportunity to join together in Musical Praise to our Lord Jesus Christ!
Baby Ministry
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.” Psalm 127:3 (NLT)
Diapers & Wipes: The diaper ministry has been such a blessing. Currently the need for diapers and wipes are increasing. On average we are able to serve 5-10 families per month with an emergency bag of diapers. This bag consists of 10-15 diapers, depending on the diaper size. We recently provided emergency diapers to a new mother with twins . The diapers allowed her to utilize her cash to pay her electric bill. This ministry also allows us to get to know a family and refer to other resources such as WIC, Alpha, etc. Ultimately, our prayer is to be able to bless families with an entire pack of diapers. If it is on your heart to support this ministry, you may drop the diapers off at Central Presbyterian Church, 1920 Canal Street, Merced.
Thank you, Aubrey Nelson
Shelter Volunteers Needed
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:30-31(NLT)
Remember the last time you had a wonderful meal with family or friends? Often, something as simple as a laugh over a good meal is enough to fill the spirit with love and hope. There are currently 50-60 residents at the Community Action Agency Shelter calling it ’home’. The staff and a few residents work very hard to make sure the place is comfortable and welcoming. Please join Love INC in supporting their efforts by bringing dinner and most importantly, hope, to those living there. Ask those around you: family, friends, co-workers, small Bible groups, to choose one night a year to bless their fellow neighbors. There is a beautiful new kitchen facility to cook meals. There are also huge ovens to put frozen items in to cook and serve (I am not blessed in the cooking department - frozen lasagna is my friend.!) You may also choose to provide the food and have someone else cook it, or be the cook when someone donates food. Pick your night this year by contacting the following:
Aubrey @ 383-7034 or Renee @ 725-8188
Please Save the Date and Save your Rummage for the:
Love INC Community Yard Sale
Saturday, October 10, 2009
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
United Methodist Church of Merced
899 Yosemite Parkway, Merced
10’x10’ Spaces for Rent
$25.00
By calling Love INC - 383-7034
Come and join other churches in the greater Merced area in this fundraiser for Love INC.
10’x10’ spaces available for you to sell your own items for only $25.00.
Crafters and resellers welcome!
Good condition items can be dropped off at the church for Love INC to sell on Wednesday or Thursday from 3-7 p.m. Furniture donations must be pre-approved, please call our office.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Questions? Call the Love INC office at 383-7034.
What happens when you call Love INC?
A Call for Help:
All kinds of needs are referred to Love INC by churches, agencies, and clients themselves. This is done by a simple phone call to our Clearinghouse.
Intake Process:
Love INC volunteers listen with love to each request. They begin to build a relationship with each client. They analyze each need, examine the nature, extent, and legitimacy of the client’s need. They determine what help the client has already received from agencies or churches. Volunteers ensure the need is manageable and specific. This process allows us to see if there are other ministries or referrals that can benefit the client outside the specific request. For example, a family calls in for food and during the intake we realize one of their expenses is rental furniture. We then refer them to the Furniture Ministry.
Referral:
Once the need is verified a referral can be made to a church, agency, or service that will benefit the client. At Love INC we use a great amount of prayer and God’s discernment during this process. What one asks for is not always what they receive.
Follow Up:
The Clearinghouse follows up with the client and volunteer or ministry that provided the assistance. A visit from a pastor or church volunteer is also offered.
Clearinghouse Phone Number:
(209) 383-1265, 383-1266
Hours: M-F
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Closed on Saturday and Sunday
Upcoming Events
Aug. 21 - Volunteer Appreciate Barbeque at Rahilly
Park
Sept. 16 - Evening of Musical Praise at Christian Life
Center
Sept. 30 - Smart Money Class Series begins
Oct. 10 - Love INC Community Yard Sale at United
Methodist Church of Merced
Holiday Bless-a-Family Program
Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before you know it. Please pray for needy families that your church, small group, business, or even your own family may be able to adopt during one of the holidays this year. For more information, contact the Clearinghouse.
Save the Date:
Feb. 27, 2010 - Love INC Annual Dinner Auction
Love INC Needs Your Help!
We need your financial assistance this month to help us meet a budget shortfall.
Donations to Love INC traditionally slow down over the summer months, however, this is the time your support is
most critical. Calls for help are escalating. We have many churches and trained volunteers ready and willing to help
respond to those in need, but we need to keep our office open and fully operating to be able to coordinate these vital services.
Please prayerfully consider sending a gift to Love INC this month, or consider beginning a monthly pledge, to help us meet our budget. Every dollar that you donate to Love INC stays here in Merced County and will
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF SOMEONE IN NEED!
Love Story
God is in the details… By Aubrey Nelson, Clearinghouse Coordinator
A call came into the Clearinghouse from Madera Children's Hospital requesting a ride for a patient and his mother through our Ride Ministry. We asked that the client call specifically for the intake process. She called and we soon realized she was a current client that did not know about this ministry. No guarantees were made due to the appointment being less that 2 weeks away. A volunteer opened the Ride Ministry book and began making calls. Jodi , Gateway Community Church, a volunteer who is always blessing those around her; therefore not being able to volunteer with Love INC as much as she wanted too, said “yes,” with enthusiasm. The next day, Jodi called to donate two matching twin-sized girl’s beds (awesome!) and girl’s clothing. I pulled out the Furniture Ministry Book, which had over 100 clients listed, and started working my way down. I found a mother who was very excited and could find a way to pick up the beds. There was no need! Jodi and her family were willing to deliver (WooHoo!). Mind you...I had not looked at the client file with family details yet. When I pulled her whole file and prayed, God revealed the amazing details of His match. Our client, a single mother of two beautiful girls was so blessed by the beds, remember they were matching twin beds plus all the bedding...God moment...the girls were twins! Oh no, I am not done with the God details...the girls were twins so receiving matching twin beds was amazing, but on top of it all they were 10 year-old twins who wore the same size clothes Jodi donated (my jaw hit the floor!) When I spoke with the family after the delivery was made they were so thankful. What an amazing blessing it was to be a part of such a connection. Only God could work out the details so divinely. Praises to Him! Thank you Jodi and family for making this story possible!!!
Our mission is to mobilize the Church to transform lives and
communities In the Name of Christ.
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