For the Gift of the Christ Child Advent season, the St. John’s leadership has chosen two partners to highlight with deep, historic roots to the St. John’s community. Throughout these four Sundays of Advent, we invite you to give a special offering to one of these two mission partners listed below, or to an organization calling to you, also listed below.
If you would like to give to the Gift of the Christ Child Benevolence offering online, please click the link below under the organization you would like to give to and write in the organization's name in the memo line when donating online. You will need to submit a separate online offering for each organization you would like to donate to. Please remember to write the organization's name in the memo line for each online donation!
If you would like to give to the Gift of the Christ Child Benevolence offering via check or cash, please make one check out to St. John's Lutheran Church, write in the memo line "Gift of the Christ Child", and fill out a "Gift of the Christ Child Benevolence Choices" document, found here, hard copies available in the St. John's office. Please send one check with your total benevolence offering.
Focus Organizations for Advent
Central Downtown Food Basket
The Central Downtown Food Basket came to life through a partnership of local churches back in the 1980s - including St. John’s. For 20 years, CDFB ran a food pantry just across the street from this church, serving neighbors in need. Today, the Central Downtown Food Basket reliably provides healthy and fresh groceries with dignity and respect. They do this by being hands on with their distribution and bringing food directly to communities in need - mostly at local churches and Sacramento State University.
Saint John's Program for Real Change
Saint John’s Program for Real Change, located in Sacramento, California, supports women in crisis and their children through a comprehensive 12-18 month residential program developed to help them build a successful new life for themselves and their families. Saint John’s Program was born on the front steps of this church back in the 1980s, when members of this congregation saw unhoused women and children in need and decided to take action. What began as an emergency shelter for women and children has evolved into a 24/7 sober, supportive community providing housing, behavioral health services, workforce development, case management, and family resources - together in one place.
This year, our Gift of the Christ Child Special Offering is expanding beyond financial support! You are invited to bring a can of soup or a pair of pajamas (for an adult or child) to be placed under the Christmas Trees in the sanctuary at St. John's. On Christmas Eve, these cans of soup and pajamas will go to the Central Downtown Food Basket and Saint John's Program for Real Change to share the warmth and comfort of Christ's birth.
Other St. John's Mission Partners
