Each Lenten season, First Saint Paul’s chooses 5 organizations or ministries to support each week.

Donate here and select the ministry or ministries you’d like to support.

February 22—Lent 1

Orphan Grain Train…

…is a Christian volunteer network that shares personal and material resources with needy people in America and around the world. Grain Train volunteers gather donations of clothing, medical supplies, food, Christian literature, and other aid to meet real needs. The Orphan Grain Train movement is a loving response to Jesus Christ’s example as a servant and His love for us.

More than 3,728 semi-trailer truckloads of food, clothing, medical supplies, and religious materials have been sent to 69 countries and several disaster areas in the U.S. since 1992. Volunteers sort and pack the donated items in our warehouses across the US. Contributors donate money to ship the precious cargo of hope where it is most needed. Recent aid has gone to the Appalachian Mountain region, Texas Hill Country, and the New Mexico area. Learn more…

March 1—Lent 2

Lutheran Church Charities’…

…mission is to share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, LCC is a nonprofit ministry that helps support Christian human care ministries of the church. LCC ministries include: disaster and crisis response, k-9 comfort teams for crisis, police and military support, and court system care. We regularly partner with LCC in our Community Meals ministry, so you’ve likely heard about them before in our social ministry news.

First Saint Paul’s member Sarah Sekki directs LCC’s Hearts of Mercy and Compassion program, which gives hearts and crosses to families and friends who have suffered a loss or are experiencing the illness of a loved one. Learn more…

March 8—Lent 3

St. Matthews El Camedor San Mateo Soup Kitchen and Food Depository…

…has developed a unique ministry in the Pilsen Community to reach the growing number of homeless and unemployed people. The Soup Kitchen provides hot meals to feed the hungry and shares devotions to feed their souls. At the same time, it provides services in English and Spanish in a poverty-stricken community of mostly Latino families. During frigid winter temperatures, the soup kitchen's volunteers continue to cook and serve hot meals to the homeless, unemployed, seniors, and poor families. The soup kitchen serves 200+ meals twice a week even when donations are down. Learn More…

March 15—Lent 4

Concordia University Chicago…

…has prepared thousands to lead lives of service in our Lutheran Churches and schools, and has a long history of connections with First Saint Paul’s. CUC’s “Prepared to Serve” fund provides support and financial assistance to students pursuing church work. The university is working hard to guarantee that financial need will not prevent students from preparing for ministry. Rev. Dr. Chad Kendall, Associate Vice President for Church Relations and Mission at CUC, joins us as guest preacher this week. Learn More…

March 22—Lent 5

Lutheran Child & Family Services (LCFS)…

…engages with youth, adults, families, and communities to improve the well-being of those we are

called to serve. LCFS traces its roots to 1873, when several Lutheran congregations, including FSP, established an orphan home. Today LCFS transforms lives through its core child welfare services, including foster care and adoption, and other services to individuals and families. Many challenges of Illinois children and families have been met with triumph and success due to their hard work and the help of LCFS’ programs and services. Rev. Bill Geis, Vice President and Chief Organizational Development Officer at LCFS, joins us as guest preacher this week. Learn More…