DID YOU KNOW?
There have been 25 consecutive children's Christmas pageants at one nursing home Dayton, Ohio. In fact, one of our Board members grew up as part of the cast!
- Aug. 15, 2021 Communion Service (11th Sunday after Trinity)
- Aug. 8, 2021 Communion Service (10th Sunday after Trinity)
- Service Book for Communion
- July 4, 2021 Communion Service (5th Sunday after Trinity)
- June 27, 2021 Communion Service (4th Sunday after Trinity)
- June 13, 2021 Communion Service (2nd Sunday after Trinity)
WHY GIVING?
TAKING STEPS OF FAITH AS GOD MAY CALL YOU
When you participate with us by supporting us financially, your giving multiplies ministry.
DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Giving to St. Lazarus Mission is like giving to any other church. We are treated as a church by the federal government and donations are normally tax deductible.
HELPING THE CHURCH TO SERVE OTHERS
We serve the least of the least, the poor and destitute. There is no tithe base or giving base among those we serve. Nearly all are bankrupt. We rely upon outside contributions to operate the ministry and upon outside jobs to support our families. We also help finance St. Lazarus Mission ourselves. We need outside support to continue to grow and to teach and help others begin similar endeavors.
THE LOCAL STOREHOUSE MATTERS TO US
We believe you should give first to your local church to which you belong and then to us what God moves you to give. If you do not yet belong to a local church, we are glad to help you find one. Feel free to contact us and we will help you.
WAYS TO GIVE
ONLINE
An easy way to give is online. It is easy and fast. It can be one-time or regular, monthly or other periodic support, too.
Our mailing address is:
PO BOX 24453
Dayton, OH 45424
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Fr. Neeb (pictured above) was the first person who made it a point that we should be certain to bring Communion to everyone who could receive the Sacrament, even before my husband was a priest. He was a man of peace and a friend, not only to me, but to the residents. Since his idea sprouted, more than 7000 times St. Lazarus Mission has brought Communion to a resident in Dayton, Ohio alone!
Carol Herman
Remembering my friend, Fr. Bob Neeb
Annual Christmas Pageant
The following is a true story of love and the goodness of God. Please be patient because it is a bit lengthy...
Share in our Joy.
My husband and I love ministering to and with folks who live in nursing homes. It is our joy which is often accompanied with many sorrows. Today, however, was one of those days that brought us great encouragement and giant smiles.
There is a lady at Livingston Care Center who, though asked repeatedly, would not come to our Sunday afternoon church service. I will call her “Janice” (not her real name.) For about a year, my husband asked her to come, but was always answered with a straightforward “No.” Then one day, Janice rolled her wheelchair to the doorway of the where the service was held and just hung back as an observer. We continued asking her to join us, but was given the familiar “No.” This went on for another year.
Fast forward to about May of last year, my husband began a ministry of annointing with oil to any who asked. This somehow struck a chord in Janice, and she approached Fr. Chris for anointing and prayer. This pattern of coming in for prayer at the end of the service continued off and on for another year…until today.
Hang in there, I told you this would be long.
Another story, yet related. There is another lady at Livingston that has been with us since last spring. She and her son attend church with us every week. I will call her “Mavis” for our purposes. One Sunday, Mavis became unually animated during worship. She clapped her hands and moved her feet. In speaking with her after the service, we joked around that she would be great with a tamborine. Another resident picked up on that comment and suggested we have many tambourines. That idea deeply resonated with me. Why not allow the residents to participate more fully in worship through musical instruments? Duh!? It promptly went on my To-Do list, and did not get done.
May 10th, 2015.
On May 10th, we received an anniversary card from Mavis and her son. I gave my thanks and tucked it in my bag. Chris and I did not open the card until later that day. To our amazement, along with the well wishes, was a check. A check intended to bless us on our 24th anniversary. We were immensely humbled. We knew it was a financial sacrifice to gift us the money. We sat on it for days, wondering what to do with the check. Finally, we had the idea to buy a tambourine. To my surprise, I was able to buy exactly TWO quality tambourines with the money. We were happy, and shared our news with Mavis and her son. They were thrilled, as well.
Almost done.
Last Sunday, Janice did her usual “sneak in at the end and get prayer.” When she did, she saw me introduce the two new tambourines to Mavis. Janice’s face then lit up like the Fourth of July! Janice said, “I used to play the tambourine at my church!!” Being the opportunist I can be, I quickly retorted with a, “Janice, if you come to church next week at the beginning of the service, I will give you one of the tambourines to play.” She agreed. I was not convinced she would show up on time.
I was wrong. Thankfully.
Today, Janice showed up at the beginning of the service. She stayed for the whole service and did a beautiful job with the tambourine! It was exciting to see! I wish you all could have seen it for yourselves.
All this to say…a widow’s mite was the seed that brought a soul back to church. It doesn’t get any better than that. Just because you are elderly, or just because you are in a nursing home, does not mean that God can’t use you to restore His people.
Today was a good day. Praise the Lord!
Thanks for reading.
Carol
Share in our Joy.
My husband and I love ministering to and with folks who live in nursing homes. It is our joy which is often accompanied with many sorrows. Today, however, was one of those days that brought us great encouragement and giant smiles.
There is a lady at Livingston Care Center who, though asked repeatedly, would not come to our Sunday afternoon church service. I will call her “Janice” (not her real name.) For about a year, my husband asked her to come, but was always answered with a straightforward “No.” Then one day, Janice rolled her wheelchair to the doorway of the where the service was held and just hung back as an observer. We continued asking her to join us, but was given the familiar “No.” This went on for another year.
Fast forward to about May of last year, my husband began a ministry of annointing with oil to any who asked. This somehow struck a chord in Janice, and she approached Fr. Chris for anointing and prayer. This pattern of coming in for prayer at the end of the service continued off and on for another year…until today.
Hang in there, I told you this would be long.
Another story, yet related. There is another lady at Livingston that has been with us since last spring. She and her son attend church with us every week. I will call her “Mavis” for our purposes. One Sunday, Mavis became unually animated during worship. She clapped her hands and moved her feet. In speaking with her after the service, we joked around that she would be great with a tamborine. Another resident picked up on that comment and suggested we have many tambourines. That idea deeply resonated with me. Why not allow the residents to participate more fully in worship through musical instruments? Duh!? It promptly went on my To-Do list, and did not get done.
May 10th, 2015.
On May 10th, we received an anniversary card from Mavis and her son. I gave my thanks and tucked it in my bag. Chris and I did not open the card until later that day. To our amazement, along with the well wishes, was a check. A check intended to bless us on our 24th anniversary. We were immensely humbled. We knew it was a financial sacrifice to gift us the money. We sat on it for days, wondering what to do with the check. Finally, we had the idea to buy a tambourine. To my surprise, I was able to buy exactly TWO quality tambourines with the money. We were happy, and shared our news with Mavis and her son. They were thrilled, as well.
Almost done.
Last Sunday, Janice did her usual “sneak in at the end and get prayer.” When she did, she saw me introduce the two new tambourines to Mavis. Janice’s face then lit up like the Fourth of July! Janice said, “I used to play the tambourine at my church!!” Being the opportunist I can be, I quickly retorted with a, “Janice, if you come to church next week at the beginning of the service, I will give you one of the tambourines to play.” She agreed. I was not convinced she would show up on time.
I was wrong. Thankfully.
Today, Janice showed up at the beginning of the service. She stayed for the whole service and did a beautiful job with the tambourine! It was exciting to see! I wish you all could have seen it for yourselves.
All this to say…a widow’s mite was the seed that brought a soul back to church. It doesn’t get any better than that. Just because you are elderly, or just because you are in a nursing home, does not mean that God can’t use you to restore His people.
Today was a good day. Praise the Lord!
Thanks for reading.
Carol