Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Lewiston
Stewardship Committee
2025 Bi- Monthly Special Offerings
January 2025 Special Offering
Lutherans for Life
Lutherans For Life exists to equip Lutherans to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life. We do this through our quarterly journal, “LifeDate,” countless resources produced for local congregations, Life Sunday materials, speaking and preaching, online Chats 4Life, Frontline conference calls, Life Teams and Life Chapters, and national and regional conferences. You can help through your prayers and financial gifts, forming Life Teams and Life Chapters, attending LFL conferences and other events.
The Co-op to Seminary students and their families operates as an actual cooperative with each family working a certain amount of time each month in either the food or the clothing area. They then receive points in exchange for their work. These points are redeemable on each of the two shopping days per week in the Food Co-op. No points are necessary for clothing; they may take whatever they need for free. Individuals from around this country and the world come to Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to prepare to serve God’s people here in the United States as well as in mission work around the world. When these students make the momentous decision to quit their jobs and come to the seminary with their families, they no longer have the same financial flow of funds that they had before, but continue to have the same financial needs. Wives in many student families do not find employment in Fort Wayne, due in part because employers know that they will only be there for two years, throwing families into difficult financial positions. One of the ways that the seminary seeks to alleviate this financial burden is by providing the students access to a Food Co-op, which currently supplies between 75% and 85% of all families’ food and household needs each month at no cost to the students, relying upon donations from individuals, congregations and organizations.
May 2025 Special Offering
Ron Zuccaro Seminary Student at Concordia in St. Louis, Missouri
Ron Zuccaro has found great joy in sharing the word of our Lord. Many of us knew him as our “Deacon in training.” When Ron led us in a bible study here at BLC, it was not his first time. In Shelby Township he could be found at a local barbershop leading bible study or passing out tracts and bibles. When he was not spreading the word in nursing homes or on the street, he was working to support his family. Ron was the vice-president of Rinaldo’s Construction while 3 little Zuccaro’s were growing up, who later made Ron a grandfather of 3. Ron and his wife Cathy moved to Lewiston from Shelby Township in 2022 when he accepted a service rep position for Shred It. Cathy is a talented tailor with a little shop here in Lewiston. Together they enjoy the outdoors, whether it is hunting or star gazing, they are thankful for all the Lord has given them.
We are Proud of your Ron. Congratulations
A non-profit, faith-based resource center dedicated to nurturing families in our community. We help young people and adults of all ages get the help they need with their families. Whether preparing for a new baby or learning to strengthen their homes and families, we are here to help!
The seed of His Love Family Resources was planted in 2003 when God began to put on the hearts of a group of mothers in Oscoda County the needs of those with unexpected pregnancies, their pre-born children, and families living in poverty. As those women prayed, discussions were held with the Oscoda County Human Services Coordinating Council, and Early On. Researching County statistics and listening to oral reporting from these community agencies; critical gaps were noted. The response of that group of mothers was to actively pursue the start of a pregnancy resource ministry that could reach out to those in need in Oscoda County and surrounding areas.
The compassionate ministry called His Love Family Resources opened in 2004, establishing a presence in Mio in a small house on Shepard Street. Over the next five years it grew to the point of needing more space in which to operate. In 2009 a storefront property became available on the main street of downtown Mio, and with community support the ministry purchased the property. Renovations were completed through the help of many volunteers resulting in the move to what is now its custom-designed facility on Morenci Street in June of 2010. Volunteers with many different skills are the mainstay that make clients feel valued and loved and make it possible to meet the needs of families. From it’s beginning, His Love Family Resources has endeavored to affirm life through offering free pregnancy tests and programs that encourage parents to grow in their parenting skills and ability to provide for their children.
Lewiston Community Sharing is a Christian Based- Organization owned by Lewiston Churches (Bethlehem Lutheran, St. Francis Catholic and UCC Congregational). The non-profit was established in 1984.
This non-profit is completely funded by generous people and organizations who donate money, food, and other items. Please do not believe the myth that our local community sharing receives funds from the government for food, gas or other assistance provided. With the help of volunteers who sort, clean and stock shelves they would not be able to provide this wonderful service to families in the Johannesburg- Lewiston School District.
While volunteers are working with a smile in the buildings, there is a person who lists some of the more valuable items for sale on eBay or Poshmark, another that applies to organizations and foundations for donations to purchase non-donated items.
To help keep the clothing fresh they work with a couple of different Michigan non-profit organizations and trade clothing.
If you have never been to the Community Sharing Building, I encourage you to visit.
The Free Store and LaBoutique Resale Shop are open Wednesdays 10am-6pm and the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month 10am-1pm.
The food pantry is open the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month 10am-1pm.
*During the month of September the Evangelism Committee challenges the area churches to a friendly challenge to collect the most food to help stock the shelves.
