Mercy forever.

• Cross necklaces for students in Japan

   

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  Kids at Precious Playmates Ministry, Martinsville, Ind., made cross necklaces for students in Japan. This childcare ministry of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church serves 87 children.

• Sunday school group

   

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  (left to right) Prince of Peace Secretary Laurie Johnson, Sunday School Superintendant Lucy Rike, Sunday school teacher Heather Cleary, and kids share their excitement about the “Donuts for Disaster” fundraiser, which raised $615.30 for LCMS World Relief and Human Care’s relief efforts in Japan.

• Congregation member selects a doughnut

   

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  Prince of Peace (Martinsville, Ind.) congregation member Dan Lamberson makes a donation and selects a donut during the Sunday school’s “Donuts for Disaster” fundraiser for LCMS World Relief and Human Cares relief work in Japan.

• Writing a note to Japanese students

   

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  Jessica Hunt writes a card of encouragement for Japanese students March 27 during Sunday school at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Martinsville, Ind.

• Writing to students in Japan

   

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  (left to right) Caden Montgomery, Sunday School Superintendent Lucy Rike, Sunday school teacher Shana Hunt, and Jessica Hunt, all from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Martinsville, Ind., write cards of encouragement to Japanese students.

• Sunday school student makes a donation

   

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  Annabelle Cleary, a Sunday school student at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Martinsville, Ind., makes a “Donuts for Disaster” donation March 27 to aid LCMS World Relief and Human Care’s relief efforts in Japan.

• Handmade cards for Japanese students

   

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  Students at Precious Playmates Ministry at Prince of Peace in Martinsville, Ind., made these cards for students in Japan who were affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Kids at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and Precious Playmates Daycare in Martinsville, Ind., have been busy with efforts to support relief efforts in Japan.

Sunday schoolers sold “Donuts for Disaster” after worship service March 27, raising $415 for LCMS World Relief and Human Care’s (WR-HC) work in Japan. Their local Thrivent Financial for Lutherans chapter matched $200, bringing the total to $615 for Japan relief.

Lucy Rike, Prince of Peace’s Sunday school superintendant, described Sunday’s fundraiser as “uplifting and positive.”

“I hope it taught the kids that we care for their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ … that our mission is to care for one another as the Lord taught us to do,” she said.

At the daycare, kids transformed construction paper, paint, beads and more last week into cards and necklaces with Christian messages. LCMS staff will deliver the items to kids in Japan that were affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

It’s not the first lesson Prince of Peace and Precious Playmates kids have had in sharing Christ’s mercy with those in need.

When spring floods struck their community in June 2008, seven members were affected and two received emergency grants from LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC). The congregation gave back by making a donation to WR-HC for future disaster relief.

After the Haiti earthquake in 2010, Precious Playmates kids raised funds for disaster relief.

Twice each year, the 87 kids served at Precious Playmates learn about and support charities. After the earthquake in Haiti, they raised money for response efforts. Daycare Director Brenda Frederick said their Haiti fundraiser was spearheaded by two children whose uncle served as a missionary in the Caribbean nation.

“It’s nice for our kids to get involved,” said Precious Playmates Director Brenda Frederick who hoped the kids’ cards and necklaces project taught them compassion. “Disaster can strike anywhere, and while we don’t live next door, we can try to help out.”

LCMS World Relief and Human Care encourages LCMS students to keep the people of Japan in their prayers. Financial gifts are also needed at this time. To contribute toward Synod’s response to the Japan earthquake and tsunami:

• mail checks (noting “Japan Disaster Relief” in the memo line) to LCMS World Relief and Human Care, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861.
• call toll-free 888-930-4438.
• give online at www.lcms.org/help.

For more information and resources, visit www.lcms.org/help.