The family that we are supporting through Church World Service is settling in nicely to their new home and community. We have helped the family learn how to use the appliances and things in the home and taken them shopping for clothing at St. Vincent DePaul and groceries at Weis Market. St. Paul’s Shoe Bank supplied each with a pair of athletic sneakers. Team members have also enrolled the 17-year-old in school, supplied him with cleats, and took him to soccer practice. Also, the family is set up with access to medical care, the food bank, and other services. In addition they now have cell phones and Wi-Fi.

We have lots to still accomplish to help them to be set up for success. This young family is so very kind and they are so thankful for all of the help they are receiving. The family comes with some financial assistance from Church World Service, but donations to help them get started would be most appreciated. Any funds that are donated to the family will go directly to an account for them and will be used for their needs. Any remaining funds will be released to them at the end of our service period. Please prayerfully consider making a love offering to support this young family. Click here to donate online.

St. Paul’s Mission & Justice Committee invites you to establish a new tradition! Many St. Paul's UMC and Wesley Foundation families give generously to charitable organizations through Alternative Christmas (in December). However, non-profit funding levels often dip precipitously low in July, and factors such as inflation have greatly increased community needs. Please share the joy and love of Christmas right now by helping your neighbors in need! Mission & Justice has selected four local groups to support directly through St. Paul’s Alternative Christmas in July: the Nicaragua Mission; the Rwanda Mission; Mission Central; and Neighborhood Center. Donate online at St Paul’s Hub through July 31.

The first Sunday of the month has always been "Food Bank Sunday" at St. Paul’s. This month, the State College Food Bank is requesting the following items: ready-to-serve soups (Progresso, Campbell's Chunky, etc.); pasta/spaghetti sauce; tubular pasta (penne, rigatoni, ziti); breakfast cereal; canned fruit (peaches, pears, pineapple) ; snack items (crackers, cookies, chips/pretzels, granola bars, etc.); canned chicken; powdered lemonade mix; hot chocolate mix; oil (vegetable, canola, olive oil); maseca (instant corn masa flour); laundry detergent; liquid dish soap; liquid hand soap; toothpaste and toothbrushes; bar soap; body wash. Please do not include baby food or formula, expired food or opened food, over-the-counter medications or products with alcohol in them. They greatly appreciate and thank you for your donations.

Gift card orders are due this Sunday, July 3. Ordering gift cards through our scrip program supports St. Paul’s. You get the full value of the card, and St. Paul’s receives a percentage of the card's value as set by the merchant. It is safe and convenient. Click here for more information, including details on how to order and how to pick up your gift cards.

The July-August 2022 issue of The Messenger newsletter is available for download from St. Paul's website. Looking for a back issue of The Messenger? Check out the archives on St. Paul's website at stpaulsc.org/messenger.

Can you help keep our church flowers beautiful? Please consider taking or sharing a week with your small group or friends. Watering provides a wonderful occasion to pray for and interact with people passing by our church. See the sign-up for details. Thank you!