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“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” — Hebrews 12:1

As we enter into the season of thankfulness and gratitude, the students of St. Matthew Lutheran School have an amazing servant opportunity this Friday, November 14th, to use their feet, as well as their hearts, to raise funds for “Jameson Strong”, a nonprofit organization that sends Christian care packages to families facing a pediatric cancer diagnosis.  

To help you hear the passion behind the tender mission of Jameson Strong, listed below are a few excerpts taken from the Jameson Strong website where Jameson’s mom explains various items contained in their care packages:

The Cross:

“As parents, our world came crashing down in the ER when we heard the words, "We found a mass on your son's brain, and he needs emergency surgery"

"We then were faced with decisions on what hospital our son would have the surgery. There was no time to think, and we chose the best Children's Hospital in Michigan. All of a sudden they were preparing an ambulance for our son to be transported to Ann Arbor. In the middle of the chaos, our wonderful Pastor was right by our sides and praying. He gave me a small wooden cross with "Jameson" written on it. I clung onto that little wooden cross the whole ride in the ambulance all the way until Jameson was admitted into Mott Hospital. I held onto that cross all through the night and into the next day when he had surgery. The cross was a comfort to us, a reminder that we were not alone in this, and that God never leaves us even in our darkest time. That is why in each care box, each child will receive a small personalized cross. A cross that you or your child can hold onto so that you will know you are never alone."

A Cross Necklace:

"While our son was going through treatments, we bought our son a cross necklace.  He wore this necklace almost every day making sure we put it on him right away in the morning with his glasses. This necklace brought comfort to Jameson throughout this journey. Dad got one for Christmas to match also.  Then when one of our close family friends lost his mother, Jameson had us order him one also to help comfort him. We will be adding a cross necklace in our care boxes to help bring hope and comfort to other children.”

The website provides additional heartwarming descriptions of the other items contained in each care packages and the meaning behind them, such as a devotional book, prayer book, stress balls saying “Jesus is the rock”, and a homemade paper cross made by Jameson’s five year old sister.

Tomorrow, students are asked to bring in their completed pledge forms and any funds that they have collected. We totally understand that some pledges will come in later once donors learn how many laps their student has run.  Forms have been distributed in class; however, you may also print one off HERE.

Starting at 9:30 a.m., students in grades Preschool through Grade 4 will run laps around our soccer field. Students in grades 5 - 8 will begin running at 10:15 a.m. Parents are also welcome to come and serve as cheerleaders. As of now, the weather forecast is calling for morning temperatures in the 40’s, so please come dressed appropriately!

Students who raise over $50 will receive a T-shirt with the above logo. Students raising over $100 have the option to receive a sweatshirt. Please note that students can only select one shirt no matter the amount raised.

In addition, we realize that so many families are affected by cancer. As a result, we have started a Color Out Cancer prayer chain. In our church lobby, you will find a color chart of the various types of cancer. If you know of someone who is currently dealing with cancer, or who has survived cancer, or someone who you would like us to run in their memory, please write their name on a paper that reflects their color of cancer and put it in the designated box. Our Upper Grade students are making a chain of these papers, and we will pray over it at the start of our Turkey Trot.

As Christians, we treasure the fact that God’s love and faithfulness remain steadfast through both joy and heartbreak. In addition, we cling to the promise that through faith in Jesus, there will be beautiful heavenly reunions with loved ones!

Let’s make this year’s Turkey Trot extremely impactful as we partner with Jameson Strong to bring the love of Christ to families in need of strength and hope!

Mrs. Palka