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Lutheran Maritime Ministries Our mission for December is Lutheran Maritime Ministries.
We all rely upon the many products ships haul as cargo. In fact, 80% of what we buy at the store comes through the Long Beach
or Los Angeles ports. At sea, crews are often battered by severe weather which makes seafaring the world’s second most
dangerous profession. Seafarers and fishers sacrifice so much of "normal life" to do their work. Separation from family and
faith communities is their biggest hardship. The men and women who work on ships have normal physical, spiritual and emotional
needs, often intensified by the incredible hardships and dangers of their occupation. Most seafarers are at sea from 9-10
months a year. The gifts that these people will receive may be the only thing they get this Christmas. Please be generous
and give what you are able. A list of items that may be included might be:
knitted sea watch caps; package of razors,
can of shaving cream; other shaving items-Cologne, aftershave, etc.; deodorant; combs, brushes; note pads, pens, envelopes;
hard candy, gum; white socks; microwave popcorn bags; toothpaste, brushes; pack of gaming cards; fingernail clippers, nail
files or anything else small enough to fit into a gallon Ziploc bag! We are requesting that bars of soap not
be include because even if they are wrapped, the soap gives off an odor that everything else absorbs.
We will be planning a time to get together
to pack the bags and prepare for shipping. Please look for that and join us; and please give generously! See Meagan Ranger
or Jeannette Anderson if you have any questions about our December mission.

Thrivent Builds
Bethlehem is supporting the
efforts of Thrivent Builds to raise funds to build homes for local families facing critical housing needs. The program joins
approximately 2.6 million Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members with Lutheran congregations, communities, partner families
and Habitat for Humanity International affiliates to build hundreds of homes each year. Help us make a difference in
the lives of a local family. For information on how you can help, call Daleen Gore at 818-526-0230 or email daleen.gore@thrivent.com
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Toy Donation Program
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is the largest regional
referral center for children in critical condition who need life-saving care. While most of the children admitted to Childrens
Hospital Los Angeles come from Los Angeles County, others come from the seven-county area near Los Angeles that includes Kern,
Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and around the world.
To
help kids "just be kids" is crucial to the recovery process while they are hospitalized. The need for toys to help patients
cope with hospitalization is great.
Bethlehem is now accepting donations of toys (and cash for toy
purchases.) There is a donation box in Chandler Hall for toy donations. Contact Janet Puchlik for details.
Click
the Childrens Hospital logo below to go to their web site.
Click here for more information via email.
We continue to focus on
the ELCA World Hunger program. ELCA
World Hunger is a comprehensive and sustainable
program that uses multiple strategies—relief,
development,
education,
and advocacy—to
address the root causes of hunger and poverty. ELCA World Hunger responds to
neighbors around the corner and around the world. Click on the picture below to learn how you can help or on the text link
below to make a donation now.
Click here to make a donation to ELCA World Hunger

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| Click on the picture above to go to the ELCA World Hunger website |
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