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This special and unique area of ministry provides the greatest fulfillment for its participants and shows Lord of Life Lutheran Church at its very best. One is only as strong within the network of the congregation as its extended hand up in ministry toward others in need.
 Lord of Life's commitment to causes beyond its borders is many and varied. It begins with our great commitment to the community of Edgemont, the greatest economically challenged area of Moreno Valley. We provide clothing for the needy and some food assistance. But the strongest area of our support is for the children of Edgemont elementary school, a public school with more than half of its pupils qualifying for free breakfast and lunch. We have a Fall uniform drive where every child and their family that cannot afford school uniforms, is provided them at no cost by Lord of Life. We also provide new socks and underwear for many children. Then at Christmas the real extravaganza begins. Lord of Life for the past number of years has provided every child in the school with a wrapped Christmas gift. These gifts are gathered in November and December and then wrapped at a special Pizza and Christmas Wrap party led by our youth and others. Finally the grand day arrives as the gifts are delivered to each classroom on the last day of school. What a joy this enormous program is and what a difference it makes in Edgemont, a growing elementary school with over seven hundred pupils enrolled. That's more than twice the size of Lord of Life's total membership.
We also provide ongoing assistance to the Central City Lutheran Mission in San Bernardino. We raise Souper Bowl funds that exceed one thousand dollars each year and also provide clothing and other physical needs throughout the year. Our commitment to Lutheran World Relief is seen in the great number of quilts that are made (over 100 in 2005) and the health Kits that are provided (over 300 in 2005). These Health Kits contain the basic items of soap, hand towel and wash cloth, toothpaste and tooth brush, comb, nail clippers, etc. They are then packaged and readied by our middle school youth and trucked away for transport to Third World areas of extreme need.
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One Mission congregation in our immediate area is also assisted with ongoing funds throughout the year. It is: Spirit of Joy in Hemet. This commitment continues until it is self supporting and in their own worship facility. |
Moreno Valley Relay for Life to combat cancer by finding a cure and raising awareness for cancer related illnesses and survivors is a major supported activity each year. In 2006, Lord of Life raised over $10,000 for this most worthy cause, proudly and humbly leading the entire valley in this area!
Additionally, Lord of Life is a center for Lutheran Social Services' phon-a-thon for the Inland Empire raising thousands of dollars for this great ministry. Two twelve step recovery programs are housed in our facility that will host over a hundred meetings this year. Thanksgiving Baskets for the needy are distributed each year to over fifty families.
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