We believe that the love we receive from God and each other leads us to act in love toward others. We respond to God's love with loving acts toward others in our community. We clothe, we feed, we visit — we respond to the needs around us. We have a vision for Compassionate Service!
We Serve Our Local Neighbors In Many Ways!
We gather, each month, to make sandwiches that are given to the homeless in West Palm Beach. Every year that total is about 5,000 sandwiches.We participate in an annual Thanksgiving Food Appeal. In cooperation with 3 other local Lutheran churches, we gathered more than 2.5 Tons of food that were distributed to our neighbours in Lake Park.We contribute Christmas gifts for more than 100 needy children through our annual “Angel Tree” Appeal.We joined with thousands of people to be a part of “Souper Bowl” Sunday. More than 150 separate food items were donated and delivered to the food pantry at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Lake Park from where they were distributed to needy families. We also contributed $1200 for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. We raise about $300 each year that is also contributed to the ELCA World Hunger appeal.We share non-perishable food items, useable clothing and toiletries each week. These are given to needy veterans at the VA hospital in Riviera Beach, to homeless, working men, and needy families.
We Act On Our Love By Supporting Local Projects!
STRIVE TOWARD EXCELLENCE, INC. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that began in 1998 with the mission to serve the needs of low income families and children. It was created through the inspiration and sponsorship of the pastor, church council and members of St. John Lutheran in Lake Park, FL.
St. John Lutheran has recognized that the Lutheran Church proclaims that the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. It is then how we organize our society—in economics and politics, in law and policy—that directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. The Lutheran tradition takes seriously that humans live and worship in community (“We are the communion of saints!!”)
Strive Toward Excellence also takes seriously that “Without a vision the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). In order to clarify and define a vision for ministry a Needs Assessment of the Lake Park community was completed. The results were staggering. Yet, the most important needs have been identified. Many programs have been outlined and are operational.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM: Supervised care for elementary school children and families 2-6p.m. Currently 75 children participate each day. A Long Waiting List to get in to the program exists. Includes: Free Healthy Snack, Homework, Tutoring, Social Skills Training, Play, Exercise, CHAMPS Reading, Arts and Crafts, Science, Reading Improvement, Computer Skills, and Field Trips. Students have been awarded Principals Award, Vice-Principals Award, Good Citizen Award and Best All-Around Student from Lake Park Elementary School. Supported and funded by a contract with Children Services Council of Palm Beach County. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Tutors and Aides. SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM: Full-time 7-4pm. Provided for about 80 children. Healthy breakfast and lunches are provided daily. Wide-range of activities included daily field trips. Supported and funded by Children Services Council of Palm Beach County and Palm Beach County Health and Human Services. FOOD PANTRY AND CLOTHES CLOSET: On-going distributions with regular contributions from individuals and coalition Lutheran Churches. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO ORGANIZE FOOD PANTRY & HELP DISTRIBUTE CLOTHING
HOLIDAY FOOD DISTRIBUTION: Thanksgiving and Christmas distribution to over 150 families in the Lake Park area. Made possible by contributors like you.
OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE: Head Start, Parenting, Senior Ministry, ESL, Housing, Employment and Career Skill Training, Banking, Immigration, Legal Assistance, Counseling, SHINE, Faith-Based programming.
We Respond To Needs Throughout The World!
Our vision is not limited to our immediate neighbourhood. We also have a world vision. We help provide direct support to the Global Mission of the ELCA by a Missionary Support Covenant with Jane and Ted Zimmerman who are missionaries in Hong Kong. For more information about Global mission go to either FLA Bahamas Synod or ELCA website. We make gifts, through special appeals, for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. To learn more about the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, information can be found on either FLA Bahamas Synod or ELCA website.
We respond to the needs of the poor and powerless by supporting LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF. Their motto is: “To others, through others”
Where is LWR? In over 40 countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, with more than 100 local partnerships.
What lessons can we learn from History?
60 years ago, World War II left one in five of the world’s Lutherans homeless in Europe. In the U.S. Lutheran congregations in more than 20 states mobilized to help by creating an agency they named Lutheran World Relief. Soon they became aware of needs far beyond their Lutheran relatives in Europe. They committed LWR to work helping anyone in need, regardless of race, religion or nationality.
60 years later, with the lessons from a Europe fragmented by war and held together by tentative treaties, LWR made decisions to promote hope and healing. Today, LWR (With support from the ELCA World Hunger Appeal and LCMS World Relief) continues the work of peace building and tries to address complexities that lead to strife in the first place. Further, LWR continues to work with the poor and powerless to challenge not only the consequences of oppression, but also the causes.
WHAT CAN I DO?
1. Participate in serving the needs of our local community.
A. By volunteering to make sandwiches once a month or make a financial contribution to support that ministry.
B. By making contributions of non-perishable food for the Food Pantry at St. John. When you shop, look for “Buy One, Get One Free”. Then contribute the Free item! Also, give thankfully to the special Thanksgiving Food Appeal!!
C. By “Being An Angel” for a child in Lake Park. It’s your opportunity to give to someone who might not receive any gift at Christmas. Look for the Angel Tree in the Loggia right after Thanksgiving.
D. By participating in “Souper Bowl” Sunday bringing non-perishable food and cash for the soup pots.
E. By taking a walk for hunger (or sponsoring someone who will walk for you) in the annual Crop Walk.
F. By donating toiletries, clothing (especially for men and children), used eyeglasses and hearing aids, cancelled stamps, BOX TOPS For Education, and Campbell Soup labels. All of these are forwarded to various organizations that benefit from what you may think are small donations. Did you know that 15,000 BOX TOPS For Education were enough for the Navaho Indian School in Rock Point, Arizona to purchase a van?
2. Financially support ministries of hope through your church bodies.
a. Lutheran World Relief
700 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
1-800-LWR-LWR2 (1-800-230-2700
www.lwr.org
b. ELCA World Hunger Appeal
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
8765 W. Higgins Road
Chicago, IL 60631
1-800-638-3522 ext.2764
c. Make a check payable to Nativity Lutheran indicating LWR and/or World Hunger Appeal and/or Lutheran Disaster Response. Your contribution will be forwarded. These funds go directly to individuals and families or may be used to fund volunteer housing sites. Thank you!!
3. Volunteer to join a LWR study visit.
1. Volunteer to join a LWR study visit. i. Though coffee is the second most highly traded commodity in the world, most people who grow it are without access to basic nutrition, education, health care and sanitation. LWR is active here helping change those conditions. Contact ELCA Domestic Disaster Response @ 1-800-638-3522