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Faith in Action

Simply Christmas

In Tom Taylor’s house growing up, the Christmas tree went up the day after Thanksgiving and came down only when it was so dry the needles fell off. As a…
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Faith in Action

New life for children with disabilities in Tanzania

When Betsy Buschkemper arrived at the Building a Caring Community (BCC) center in Moshi, Tanzania, 5-year-old Brian took her hand and tugged her inside to see his toys. This lively,…
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Mission & Ministry

Two Noahs with a common cause

The name Noah brings to mind pairs of animals boarding the ark. At Central Lutheran Church, Portland, Ore., the name Noah also conjures images of pairs — though in this…
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Faith in Action

‘Fred’s Gifts’ a Christmas mission tradition

One Advent about 20 years ago, Fred Boettcher sold hundreds of wrapped gifts for $1 each in the narthex of Calmar (Iowa) Lutheran Church. Known as “Fred’s Gifts,” Boettcher supplied…
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Faith in Action

Adoption changed their lives

Natalia Parker, 36, was 7 days old when she was adopted. Since her youth, she has known she wanted to adopt children. After Parker and her husband, Ron, had two…
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Faith in Action

One, large extended family

A Montana couple connects college students to church.
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Faith in Action

Thankful for the journey

Thankful, even when it has its share of bumps and bad times.
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Faith in Action

Shapes of grace in the inner-city

From tragedy and misfortune comes a story of renewed mission.
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Faith in Action

And inside, I felt still

As the rain beat down, the fog of thoughts crowding my mind cleared.
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Mission & Ministry

Food for body and soul

Hometown bakery builds community, one loaf at a time
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Faith in Action

The value of sacred space

I was reminded how I first learned about and experienced God’s love.