As MLC members, we work through various congregation groups to help those with needs locally, regionally, and internationally. The following is a recap for 2024.
Food Pantries: In January, food and paper products were collected and delivered to the Johnson and Nemaha County food pantries. We collected and delivered four totes to the two food pantries.
Walking in Faith: We collected funds for the Walking in Faith Mission Trip which takes place in the summer. Funds collected were $1,649. Several members of MLC were a part of this Mission Trip.
Assistance for a Cancer Patient: Donations of $1,588.00 were collected to help a local resident with her cancer expenses.
Undie Sunday: We collected new underwear and socks which will be distributed to those in need. It was estimated that approximately $950 in items were delivered to Orphan Grain Train to be distributed to those in need nationally and internationally.
Tornado Relief: An April 26th tornado caused a tremendous amount of devastation around Elkhorn, Nebraska. We collected $1,650 to be used through Omaha Rapid Response to help in these areas.
School Kits: School supply items
were donated by members, and the kits were put together at our annual ice cream dinner. The Sunday School children, along with help from the rest of the congregation, worked together to assemble the kits.
The number of school kits assembled and then delivered to Orphan Grain Train was 252. Orphan Grain Train will distribute the school kits nationally and internationally. 
Extra school supplies were given to the Johnson County Central and Johnson-Brock schools. We also collected an offering of $504 at the ice cream dinner and that was given to the Johnson-Brock back pack program.
Mercy Meals: Earlier in the summer, we collected $5,287.00 to support a Mercy Meals packing event on September 15. A total of 25,920 meals were packed by 66 volunteers after the Sunday worship service. Read more about the Mercy Meals organization and cause: https://mercymealslincoln.org/
Hurricane Relief: In early October we collected funds of $2,200 for disaster relief. Funds were given on to Orphan Grain Train who have numerous disaster relief programs to implement on site in emergencies such as Hurricane Helene which devastated areas of North Carolina and Tennessee.
Operation Christmas Child: As fall arrives, members collect and start to assemble boxes full of fun items, hygiene items, school items, and wearable items for the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoeb
ox project. In addition to members assembling on their own, we also had an additional generous donation that allowed us to have a “packing party” on a Sunday morning. Sunday School children, along with some adult help, assembled the 260 extra boxes with items purchased with the donation. The total for MLC was 513 boxes and an additional box of “filler” items for the processing center in Denver.
Read more about that: http://operation-christmas-child-gospel-opportunities
Funds for the shipping costs at $10 per box were also collected during October and November. The boxes are taken first to Tecumseh, then shipped to Denver and then delivered to children around the world by Samaritan’s Purse. https://video.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child-overview-2022-promo/
Warm Winter Wear: As the year was coming to a close, we collected new and gently used coats, mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves. Some of the items were delivered to a local school and ten totes were delivered to People’s City Mission in Lincoln, Nebraska. 
Pop Tabs: Throughout the year, we collect pop tabs which are taken to the Ronald MacDonald House in Omaha. They receive cash for the recycling of the tabs and the funds are used by the organization.
Lutheran Bible Translators: For a Continual Year-Long Opportunity members gave designated donations to Lutheran Bible Translators. 
The total of $3,050 collected during the year was sent at the end of the year to Lutheran Bible Translators which is a mission partner of the NALC. They have been partnering with the language communities for nearly 60 years. LBT allows our members to invest in the local leaders of the Bible translation movement, so more people will have God’s Word in their hands. Read more: Lutheran Bible Translators
Compassion International Water Projects: For our third Continual Year-Long Opportunity, members gave designated donations to Compassion International Water Projects. At the end of the year, our total donation of $3,200 was forwarded to Compassion International and will help give children access to clean water sources and sanitary facilities. Compassion works through local churches in 29 countries. Read more: Compassion International Water Project
The Sewing Group reports that for the 2023-2024 season, (traditionally September to the following April), 143 blankets were completed. Partnership 4 Hope in Omaha was given 25 blankets; Moving Veterans Forward in Omaha was given 11 blankets; Lasting Hope Recovery Center in Omaha was given 5 blankets; and 99 were taken to Orphan Grain Train at the Lincoln warehouse.
Three blankets were presented to our high school graduates. Read about that here: Graduates Honored .
The MLC Annual Consignment Sale also makes generous donations to local groups and various projects at times throughout the year. 
These donations vary from year to year. For 2024 over $21,500 was distributed to eight local fire departments, seven local rescue squads, the Johnson Rescue Squad, and three area backpack programs, The bulk of the funds earned by the MLC Women’s group at the lunch stand during the sale is also given generously to various local and regional groups. This year over $2,000 was given to local care homes, Project Response, Backpack program, food pantries, and Orphan Grain Train.
Compassion International Sponsorships: Three children are sponsored through Compassion International. Tabitha Circle sponsors Tamera from Kenya. The Sunday School children sponsor Lawrence from Uganda and Milka from Kenya. Several members of the congregation sponsor children on their own with Compassion. The Sunday School children use funds from “Noisy Offering” to buy many animals once a year though Heifer International.
Thrivent Choice Dollars and Budgeted: As Thrivent members designate funds to MLC, the fund is distributed to help with projects in progress within and outside the congregation. Also his year, funds were lovingly given through a budgeted “Good Samaritan Fund” when we become aware of local people in immediate need.
Martin Luther Church – living out Philippians 2:4
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”