St. Matthew Habitat for Humanity Ministry

Prologue:

This is the fifteenth in a series of short articles that will appear in the Sunday bulletin over the next several weeks. These articles are designed to help our parishioners understand what Habitat for Humanity is all about, provide up to date facts, and guide our parishioners in supporting the ministry.

Chapter Fifteen: Calling All Parishioners to Make a Lenten Sacrifice

The Lenten Season is almost here. Have you thought about your Lenten sacrifice? The St. Matthew Habitat for Humanity Ministry is calling on our parishioners to put your faith into action by signing up to help with the build. Offer up just ONE DAY to be part of our construction crew or prepare lunch for our volunteers.

Construction begins on Friday, February 29 and will continue on Fridays and Saturdays until we landscape on May 3. Finding Friday volunteers is always a bit more challenging but NO EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY. You must, however, be at least 14 to be part of a construction crew. A phone-a-thon will be held January 28 - 30 to assign construction volunteers build dates.

Food (fruit, snacks, lunch) and drinks (bottled water, Gatorade, sodas) for the volunteers, helping the phone committee, and cash donations to take care of the approximate $2000 in volunteer expenses (postage, last minute needs, photos of the build, etc.) are also needed. A phone-a-thon will be held on February 4 – 5 to secure food/drinks for the volunteers. Last, but certainly not least, signing up to pray for the success of the build and the safety of the volunteers is THE most important way you can help.

It is truly amazing how the Holy Spirit can bring 400 “mostly inexperienced volunteers” together over the course of just 7 short weeks to build a home for a family in need. God asks us to take the gifts and abilities He has given us – however insignificant we might think they are – and use them for His benefit. As His disciples, we are asked to spend the rest of our lives in prayer, service and sharing – or “stewardship” to help build His kingdom. The Reverend Louis Zbinden once said that “Service is the rent we all pay for living on earth. It’s not something we do in our spare time – its’ the very purpose of human life.”

The bible verse that continues to guide our Habitat ministry is from the letter of James, “I will show you my faith by what I do.” You are invited to put your faith into action by signing up to help. Volunteer sign-up cards can be found in the back of church or in the administration building. Please drop your completed cards at the administration building or contact Susan McClure at 341-9623 ASAP. Thank you for your support. God bless.  [top]