Mat Makers gathered with grateful hearts, beginning our time together as Lynn H. led us in praise with the song “What a Beautiful Name” and prayer. Twenty-one Mat Makers attended, ready to be God’s hands and feet through practical acts of service and encouragement.

Ministry Needs and Updates

Mats

There is an urgent need for more mats. Approximately 30–40 mats have recently been distributed, and the need will grow significantly as colder weather approaches.

Please begin a mat as soon as you are able. If you’d like to contribute by making 12 x 12 “Squares” for Mats, talk to Lynn P who will assemble them.

Every mat makes a difference for someone in need of warmth and protection.

Walker Bags Walker bags remain one of our highest-demand items and are being distributed almost as quickly as they can be made.

• We urgently need two-hole buttons, approximately ¼ inch in size, to complete walker bags.
• We also need narrow elastic, ¼ inch wide or less.
• The church donated 38 small black aprons. Leslie McDonald may be able to adapt these by removing the ties and adding buttons, creating approximately 19 walker bags designed especially for men.
• Samantha distributed walker bags at the Odenville Senior Center this week. Chris also had an opportunity to bless someone with a walker bag while attending physical therapy. What a joy it is to be ready to bless others!

Hats, Scarves, and Lapghans and more!

There is plenty of yarn downstairs for hats, scarves, and baby blankets. Scarves that still need coordinating hats are also available.

Ann created beautiful, unique scarves by joining two narrow scarves down the middle and adding a border. The finished seam is virtually invisible. 

Samantha also made a patriotic lapghan that received many compliments.

Recent hat /scarf items have also been contributed by the ladies in Gwen’s group.

Gwen’s group also created a large bag of clever shirt protectors for nursing-home residents in many attractive styles.

Thank you to everyone who continues to use their creativity and gifts to bless others.

Blessing Fund   The current Blessing Fund balance is $358. Blessing Fund containers are located in the den.

Jump Ropes   Volunteers are especially needed to cut T-shirt strips for jump ropes before Yolanda returns from her trip.

Card Ministry

We always need get-well, birthday and encouraging cards to have on hand. We will happily help you declutter by taking any cards you’d like to donate!

First Saturday Serve

Saturday, October 3
8:00 a.m.  Grants Mill — Door 5, in our usual area

Please join us for First Saturday Serve: Mat Makers Style, coordinated by Lynn P.

This will be a wonderful opportunity to introduce others to Mat Makers, recruit additional crocheters, and invite newcomers into hands-on ministry. Our primary focus will be making mats and preparing materials for the colder season, since mats are our greatest current need.

Please wear your Mat Makers shirt.

We will have one small display table representing several Mat Makers ministries, while the main activity will be mat-making and material preparation.

Thank You

Our event with Superhero Fire and Karen Cooks Ministry was a great time. Watch for a report in next week’s email!

Thank you, Mat Makers, for faithfully giving your time, creativity, donations, and love. Through every mat, walker bag, lapghan, scarf, card, and act of kindness, you are sharing God’s love in meaningful ways.

Devotion
Jackie shared our Devotion this week:

Unchanging

“Even to your old age I will be the same, even to
your graying years I will carry you. I have done it, and I
will bear you; and I will carry you and I will save you.”
ISAIAH 46:4 NASB

Overwhelm can look like a million different things throughout your life: Classes and grades when you’re a student. Relationship issues when you’re single. Communication and intimacy issues when you’re married. Infertility or pregnancy concerns, then discipline and developmental struggles as parents. Overwhelm can look like caring for aging parents, balancing jobs and homes and relationships. Uncertainty in current events and finances and leadership might feel so overwhelming. Health issues affect everything, and decision fatigue weighs heavily.

Yet, in the middle of all that weighs you down, the Lord always is the same. He will save you. He will lead you every day, whether you realize it or not. And He will carry you from your youth to your old age. When everything else in your life seems to change with surprise and uncertainty, the Lord won’t change. He’s stable and steady. He has promised to carry you through it all.

Father, I praise You for Your unchanging ways.
Thank You for Your love and provision and protection.
Thank You for carrying me all throughout my life.

Closing Prayer
Jackie lovingly closed our time together in prayer, lifting up each request, our fellowship, and the continued work of the Mat Makers ministry. We are grateful for her faithful prayer and for the opportunity to serve together as God’s hands and feet.

We will see you Tuesday at the Sunroom at 9am!

Remember I love you!

 Lynn P