Blessed to Be a Blessing

Messiah Lutheran, South Williamsport (Interim Pastor Jeff Lecrone) recently sent 606 school kits to Lutheran World Relief. While they have been sewing and filling school kits for a number of years, they did things a bit differently this year. They held their first ever sew-a-thon.  Women and men gathered to measure and cut fabric, iron and pin, move materials around, and to sew, all while engaging in conversation and getting to know each other a little better.  Then the Bible School kids strung the packs and donated nearly $400 in offerings toward the supplies. Then they had a “knotty” party, because somebody had to tie the cords together that close the backpacks – and that was a lot of knots to tie!

Besides donations from those who attend regularly, members who they have not seen in a while called or came to the church with donations, and folks from the community who had heard about it brought in donations.  They held their annual “pack-a-sack” to put the supplies into the backpacks, inviting the Bible School kids and their families to come back to help along with many of our members. Participants ranged from age 5 through folks well into their senior years. 606 school kits were completed!

But the true success of the event was not in the numbers.  Working together to make them not only provided a special gift for the children, but it fostered a sense of community.  And the recipients of these backpacks will one day go on to be a blessing to others.