Love INC Connection
February / March 2018
Volume 9
Seeing with Eyes like Jesus - by Kelley Stokesbary

Jesus once said to his disciples " Do you have eyes, but fail to see?" Nothing quite like having Jesus call you out and set you straight. And yet, while most of us know this parable from the Bible, how many of us are guilty of having eyes, but failing to see?

There are many ways to see someone. Our own personal beliefs, values, and prejudices may impact how each of us sees someone. We could each be looking at the same person, but come away with a very different interpretation or description of that person based upon what we were "seeing." But for Jesus, there was only one way to see someone - with grace, compassion and hope. Jesus didn't see people as "successful," "sinners," "recovering drug addict," or "survivor." No, he saw individuals - no labels, no prejudices, no pre-conceived notions - only the person, someone valuable and worthy of love. Jesus was able to see past the pain, corruption, and judgment people carried around with them, to see the true person - the one He came to rescue.

As we answer phones and tend to clients' needs here at Love INC, we try to make sure we are seeing people as Jesus would see them. We see them with love and with a vision for God's plan for restoration as we walk with them through their struggles and time of need. It's so easy to see the "sinner" - to take our hearts out of the picture and just use our eyes. But when we do that, we miss the value of the individual. It's also easy to keep our eyes closed, so we don't have to see the brokenness and hurt. It takes courage to open our eyes, to be empathetic, and to have a redemptive vision.

When we open our eyes and see people the way Jesus sees them, then we truly see. Love is God's vision and his way. God's agenda is not ours - his agenda was redemption and new life. He did not come to condemn the world, but to save the world. Jesus saves us. Jesus loves us. Jesus sees us - all of us.
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Mission Moments
* We're Looking for Committee Members
* Thank you - Love Lifted Me
* Ministry Needs
* Upcoming Events
* Touchpoints - Verse of the Month
We received a call from the county's mental health team that works with housing in our community. They had a woman who needed help moving from one apartment to another. Currently we don't have a formal moving ministry, but we put a request out to our 25 partner churches to see if someone might step forward to fulfill the need. And they did! Four men from one of our partner churches in Chaska came forward and helped this woman move in the snow and cold on New Year's weekend. The client was extremely grateful and the referring community agency witnessed the love of Jesus in action!

If you would like to submit a Mission Moment, please e-mail it to info@loveincecc.org for consideration.
Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, or contributed to Love Lifted Me. The gala was a night filled with fellowship, fun, music, and celebration of all God has accomplished through Love INC. While we do not have final financial numbers available yet, we are pleased to report that it was also a successful night of fundraising. Thank you for helping us continue our important, life-changing work.
MINISTRY NEEDS
Towel Ministry
The towel ministry is in need of new or gently used washcloths for bathing and dish towels for kitchen use.

If you would like to donate, please drop items off at East Union Lutheran Church on Wednesday or Thursdays between 9 am - 2:30 pm.
Baby Sleep & Ride Ministry

The Baby Sleep & Ride ministry is in need of high chairs and pack 'n plays. Items must be in new or gently used condition, with no rips, tears, or stains, and fully functioning.

Donations may be dropped off at the Love INC office, 1600 Bavaria Road, Chaska, Monday - Friday, 9 am - 2:30 pm.
Wanted: Laundry & Dishwasher Soap
The Loads of Love ministry at Westbrook Community Church is in need of the following items:

Laundry Detergent
Dishwasher Soap

Any size and brand are welcome. We do have clients with sensitivities, so allergy-friendly laundry detergent is always welcomed!

Donations are welcomed at their office: 570 Bavaria Lane in Chaska.
FurniShare is in need of donations!

Beds continue to be one of the most commonly requested items for our families in need. As a result, twin mattresses, box springs, and metal bed frames are always in high demand and our supply is currently running low, making it difficult for us to meet the demand.

Additionally, FurniShare is in need of the following items:
* Dressers * Nightstands
* Chests of Drawers * Coffee and End Tables
* Countertop Microwaves

Donated items should be in good, clean condition. Microwaves must be in working order.

If you have items you'd like to donate, please call FurniShare at (952) 974-7829 or e-mail them at FurniShare@loveincecc.org . Pick-ups are available for a small fee.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MARCH
  • 3/11 - Daylight Savings begins
  • 3/24 - Easter Angel basket assembly & delivery (Mt. Olivet Lutheran West campus)
  • 3/30 - Good Friday (Love INC office and Call Center closed)

APRIL
  • 4/1 - Easter Sunday
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Russell St. John, Chair
Dave Ruegg, Vice Chair
Tim Erhart, Treasurer
Jordan Zahrte, Secretary
Rene Brehm
Deacon Tim Helmeke
Lynn Lewis
Troy Noor
Jeffrey Peterson
Gary Rzonca






STAFF:
Ken Norman, Executive Director
Kelley Stokesbary, Communications Coordinator
Jayne Kane, Family Advocate Coordinator
Connie Schibilla, FurniShare Manager
A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR 
SPONSORS!