Spreading Joy Through Serving During Serving September

September 19th, 2025 Newsletter

Joy is overflowing this month as so many of you are stepping up to serve with your churches, families, businesses, clubs, and more — and we love hearing your stories!

This month, we’re celebrating Serving September — a special time dedicated to uniting people through acts of service. There’s nothing quite like the joy that comes from being the hands and feet of Jesus.

We’re excited to share two incredible stories from churches that have taken Serving September to heart:

Emmanuel UMC — Noblesville, Indiana

When Emmanuel UMC heard about the goal of collecting 2,500 Student Kits, they knew they wanted to help.

Their church family came together to donate all the needed supplies, and two women from the congregation sewed every one-handled bag!

On Thursday, September 11, 31 volunteers gathered to assemble an impressive 120 Student Kits.

But they didn’t stop there. A member of their missions team who works at a local assisted living facility invited the residents to join in — and they lovingly packed an additional 25 Kits, bringing Emmanuel UMC’s total to 145 Student Kits!

St. Joseph UMC — St. Joseph, Illinois

St. Joseph UMC also embraced the challenge of 2,500 Kits and got creative with their approach.

Their team sewed one-handled bags and tucked a Student Kit shopping list in each. On Sunday morning, they hung the bags on the pews and encouraged members to take and fill as many as they could throughout July and August.

Then, after a Sunday service, they hosted a joy-filled packing event, followed by a pizza lunch! Together, they assembled 109 Student Kits.

On September 12, they delivered the completed Kits and additional supplies to Midwest Mission.

These Kits will bless children around the world, and we are so grateful to Emmanuel UMC and St. Joseph UMC for their generosity and joyful service.

It’s not too late to get involved with Serving September! Help us reach our goal of 2,500 Student Kits by visiting: midwestmission.org/servingseptember

Let’s keep spreading joy through service!

Blessing Bag Pack at Midwest Mission in Illinois and Iowa in 2 Weeks!

You are invited to join us at Midwest Mission’s Annual Rice and Soy Blessing Bag Pack on September 25 and 26, 2025! We hope to pack 10,000 meals that will feed 60,000 people in crisis around the world.  Would a small group or even your entire church family consider joining us for a two-hour volunteer shift?

The Blessing Bag Pack, hosted at both Midwest Mission locations, is a free, assembly-line style event to pack meals. This is a great opportunity to show God’s love in a practical way, being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Midwest Mission Illinois (1001 Mission Drive, Pawnee, IL 62558)

Volunteer shifts are available on Thursday, September 25, and Friday, September 26 from 9-11am, 1-3pm, and 5-7pm. Sign up at midwest-mission.vomo.org/opportunity/serving-september

Midwest Mission Iowa (219 N Chestnut St, Jefferson, IA 50129)

Volunteer shifts are available on Thursday, September 25 from 9-11am, 1-3pm, and 5-7pm and Friday, September 26 from 9-11am and 1-3pm. Space is limited, so sign up soon at midwest-mission.vomo.org/opportunity/iowa-serving-september-blessing-bag-event