Serving and Saving Lives on a Thursday Afternoon

On Thursday afternoon Saint Stephen was a hustling – bustling place.  I haven’t had so much wonderful company at church during the week in months and months.  I must say that I found it to be incredibly exciting!  It felt like the good old days – only with masks and lots and lots of hand sanitizer – of course.

I have missed our vibrant Christian community while we have all been staying safe at home because of COVID-19.  I have missed chatting in the fellowship hall.  I have missed hearing about your children and grandchildren and your pets and your personal lives.  I have missed hearing about your jobs and your favorite hobbies.  I have missed getting health updates and the opportunity to check in with one another.  Quite simply I have missed all of you.

I have also missed the opportunity of welcoming the wider community into Saint Stephen and the opportunity of serving our Lord by serving God’s people.

All of those things happened on Thursday afternoon during our first Red Cross Blood Drive at Saint Stephen of the year. 

There is no substitute for blood.  When a patient receives blood, it was given in advance by a generous donor.

Every 2 seconds someone in the United States needs blood.

1 blood donation can potentially save up to 3 people’s lives!

Red blood cells must be used within 42 days of donation.  Therefore there is always a need for donors.

We had 21 people come to the blood drive hoping to give blood.  17 of those potential donors were successful! 

Thank you to everyone who volunteered!  Thank you for being so incredibly generous!  Thank you for being so willing to give of yourselves to help others!  Thank you for being a blessing!

You are all in my heart, thoughts, and prayers.

In Christ and with Love –

Pastor Kerri