News

Apple Valley Food Pantry

The Pantry is also seeking a volunteer to fill the Scheduler role. As a member of the board, this individual maintains Pantry schedules to ensure host churches and their crews are able to help during their Pantry Weekends (one weekend per month on Saturday and Sunday mornings). The Scheduler coordinates volunteers who are on-site to assist host churches with sorting, marking and shelving donations, and then again when groceries are packed two mornings per month. Total time is 9-10 hours. This is a great fellowship opportunity that is helping Fox Valley WELS members and neighbors supplement their grocery needs.

For more information on the Scheduler role, please contact us at applevalleyfoodpantry@gmail.com or call Marny at 920-540-8752.

Items needed for the month of April:Â Dish soap, hand soap, pork n beans, canned pears, applesauce, canned pasta, instant rice, 1 lb bags of rice, boxed mashed potatoes, peanut butter, cookies, tomato soup and chunky soups.Â Please note, the pantry is unable to distribute food that is dented, expired, or partially used.Â

Monetary donations may be mailed to: WELS Apple Valley Food Pantry, c/o St. Matthew Ev Lutheran Church, 129 S Mason Street, Appleton, WI 54914-5246. Checks should be made payable to WELS Apple Valley Food Pantry. Thank you for continuing to support our ministry!

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Â The Hope CenterÂ

Volunteers Needed: Do you have two hours a week to serve those in need in the FoxÂ Valley? The Hope Center is looking for a few more volunteers to join the team as we areÂ currently serving 60+ family units each month! Volunteers are needed to greet clients, packÂ supplies, and/or perform some easy data entry â€“ whatever gift God has blessed you with.Â Training is provided. Volunteers work on a team of 3-4 for a two-hour shift once per week.Â All shifts are currently available: Tues. 9:30-11:30, Wed. 2:30-4:30, and Thurs. 1:00-3:00. IfÂ you are interested in learning more about The Hope Center's compassion ministry to thoseÂ in need in the Fox Valley, see our website at hope-center.org.

The Hope Center's ministry offers practical assistance items along with the opportunity to show Christian love and share God's Word. Our location on the St. Matthew campus is also allowing us to build a relationship with the Pillars Day Resource Center next door. Each month we have been offering "Soup for the Soul" meals for Pillars' clients, most of whom are homeless. We also supply all the daily coffee, tea, and hot chocolate supplies for them. Recently, we have additionally begun a "move-in kit" program to provide basic household items to those getting an apartment through Pillars.Â For more info and a current "wish list" please see our new website at www.hope-center.org.

Please continue to pray for The Hope Center, our clients as well as our dedicated volunteers. If you are so blessed, please consider making a donation directly to The Hope Center at 1316 W. Lawrence Street, Appleton, WI 54914.

Hope Center Update

The Hope Center--Appleton, January & February 2021

What happens when one of our Hope Center clients moves away from our care and shepherding? Their Savior continues to care and shepherd. Recently this happened with an individual who moved to New London. They have no transportation to the Hope Center or to church. Yet through the spiritual care given through the Hope Center, they stay in touch with a pastor, are mailed weekly sermons, and have the opportunity to attend services at Emanuel (our WELS church in New London). Jesus their Savior continues to shepherd with healing love, powerful perseverance, and uplifting hope.

Your support has been amazing for The Hope Centerâ€“Appleton again in 2020. This WELS charitable agency at St. Mathew was incredibly blessed with about a dozen volunteers who served over 1380 hours. Your generous donations have helped us keep pace with nearly $30,000 in expenses last year. We served nearly 1,000 individual families with diapers, cleaning, and personal items and were able to partner with Pillars to sponsor over 20 move-in kits to individuals finding housing. A dozen families from the Hope Center are presently served by our WELS churches. Among them, 3 young children were baptized and two families with critical needs were blessed with Christmas gifts.

Join with The Hope Center-Appleton to provide help and hope to those in need. Volunteer at The Hope Center-Appleton. Continue to donate cash gifts and gift cards from Walmart and grocery stores. Keep The Hope Center in your prayers. For more information ask for Susan or Jen at (920)739-0039, or reach them at thehopecenter1316@gmail.com

Bargain Garden Thrift Store

Bargain Garden Thrift Shop, 2725 N. Meade Street, Appleton | 832-8822, appreciates your donations of clothing, housewares, home dÃ©cor, jewelry, furniture (no upholstered items), novelties, new greeting cards and toys. Clean and gently used items only. Your help provides funds for the teen ministry at Fox Valley Lutheran High School. We invite you to donate, shop and volunteer at the store. Find more information online at bargaingardenthrift.com.

Resource Center Opening at St. Matthew, Appleton

A day Resource Center for those experiencing homelessness is open at St. Matthew (129 Mason St. Appleton).Â The Resource Center will bring essential services to those experiencing homelessness (like a housing navigator and guidance for employment). Homeless Connections will be staffing the Center and in charge of operations. St. Matthew is hosting the Resource Center in renovated classrooms, and will be the "Christian family" next door ready to welcome those seeking our ministry. Volunteers and donations are gladly accepted. For more information, contact Pastor Jon Kuske at St. Matthew, (920)733-0916.

New Young Professionals Network for WELS

"The Inseparable" Facebook group is intended for young professionals in WI. If you're 20's to early 30's, join the Facebook group to connect and share community events, so that you can gather together and develop strong friendships.

The name is inspired by Romans 8:39, to remind you that nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.

For more information, join The Inseparable Facebook group or text Sonya at 666-2863.

GriefShare Session Available

TUESDAYS 6-8PM
BEGINNING JANUARY 12 AT IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

W7265 School Road, Greenville, WI 54942

It hurts to lose someone. Find help at GriefShare. Griefshare is a Bible-based and Christ-centered support group for those grieving the death of a family member or friend. You don't have to go through the grieving process alone.

Immanuel Lutheran Ministries is happy to be hosting GriefShare right here on our campus Tuesday evenings at 6PM in the Multi Purpose Room. GriefShare is a support group for anyone, regardless of how long ago they lost their loved one. It's based on the comfort God gives in the Bible and is led by Pastor Jeremy Mattek. The course runs ten weeks, but if you cannot attend every session that's OK, come anyway! GriefShare begins Tuesday, January 12 at 6PM. People who attend this overwhelmingly say it's very helpful! Please join us. No need to register.

ST. LUKE LUTHERAN CHURCH

St. Luke is again offering GriefShare sessions.

All classes will be held at the St. Luke church building 705 E. Greenfield Dr, Little Chute 54140

GriefShare: Your Journey from Mourning to Joy

Eleven Saturday sessions at 10am beginning February 27

Pre-registration required due to class size limits.

DivorceCare Session Available

MONDAYS 6:30-8:00PM

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1

AT IMMANUELÂ IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH (W7265 School Road, Greenville, WI 54942)

IN THE MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM

DivorceCare is a weekly seminar/support group that will help you heal from the hurt. It's a warm, caring environment led by people who understand what you are going through. Gain hope for your future!

2021 Virtual Men of His Word Conference

Are you feeling disconnected, isolated, alone, separated from others? Social distancing can take a toll on our mental and spiritual health. Even though we can't meet together in person, we invite you to join up to 500 other men for a virtual Men of His Word Conference. Our keynote (Mike Novotny, lead speaker for Time of Grace) and two presenters will remind us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35) which also binds us to one another. Though we may be separated, we remain united.

The Virtual MOHW Conference will be held online, on Saturday, April 17, 2021 with the theme, "Separated Yet United". Additional details and online registration ($15) are available at www.menofhisword.org .

Please join us for a day of virtual fellowship in God's Word!