“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
Many years ago, one of our former second grade teachers asked her students to draw a picture of what they thought Heaven would be like. Some students drew pictures of angels on clouds. Many had people singing around Jesus. However, she was a little curious when she noticed the picture above. When she inquired of the young artist about his creation, he replied, “You know that feeling that you have when you hit a homerun? That’s the feeling that I think you’ll always have when you’re in Heaven!”
What a perfect illustration to describe the joy of Heaven!
As the conclusion of the 2024/2025 school year quickly approaches, we can reflect on and remember numerous “homerun” moments that the Lord gave to us this school year:
*This year, God gave us the awesome motto of “My God Can”; this truth has provided tremendous encouragement and comfort throughout the entire school year!
*At the beginning of the year, our students collected school supplies for needy children. As a result of your generosity, 120 school kits were assembled, donated, and distributed by Lutheran World Relief to students around the world.
*Our school has a “Homebound/ Senior Ministry” where every grade has numerous senior members from our congregation that they write to on a monthly basis.
*Last October, as we had the joy of being one of the schools selected to host the Detroit Lions School Assembly, and we concluded that special day with cider and donuts to support Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton victims. As a result, we raised $2,464.95 for Lutheran World Relief’s effort in these affected areas!
*Numerous grades enjoyed being prayer partners with various International classes and have shared the Gospel with them through pumpkin carving, “A Taste of Christmas” events, and dying Easter eggs.
*Our Preschool and Kindergarten students began a sweet outreach relationship with the senior residents of the Avalon Community, located in Commerce Township. Students went “Trick or Treating” at the facility and made small Easter gifts for the residents, too!
*Our Turkey Trot raised $13,667 for Christmas gifts for hurricane victims. Visa gift cards were sent to a Lutheran Church/School in Florida as well as a Lutheran Church in North Carolina; the various pastors and principals dispersed them to those in need.
*Our Second grade made cards for veterans on Veterans’ Day.
*Our Pre-K wrote cards of encouragement to people enlisted in the miliary.
*Our 6th - 8th grade students provided a “Day of Service” of fall cleaning to help beautify our church grounds.
*During Lutheran Schools Week, school families and staff members gathered after church to assemble 400 lunches for the NOAH homeless shelter in Detroit.
*During Lutheran Schools Week, our Student Council held a breakfast and raised $1,000 for World Vision’s assistance with fire victims in California.
*Our 7th and 8th graders worked at Camp Restore Detroit, a Lutheran mission.
*Our 6th graders worked a day of service in the Wixom Community Garden.
*Our Preschool - Grade 2 students were extremely busy making bags of encouragement for first responders and police officers.
*In February, we collected eye glasses and donated our offerings to MOST Ministries, this year’s MI District “Hearts for Jesus” recipients.
*In May, our school and church partnered together to form a team of 88 participants for the World Vision 6K Global Water Day event. As a result, we raised over $5,000 for children in need of clean water.
*Our school continues to provide monthly support to five year old “Shiyana” from Indonesia and ten year old “Mayea” from Zambia through Compassion International and World Vision.
However, as wonderful as all of these experiences were, eternity is still the ultimate goal. Throughout all that occurred this school year, your child’s relationship with Jesus remains the most important.
It is our prayer that your child will continue to have many “homerun” moments in their spiritual journey. With Christ as our team manager, we look forward to the next 2025/2026 season and all of the great plans that He has waiting for us!
In His Love,
Mrs. Palka