Greetings in Christ sells original Christian greeting cards in support of those who share the Gospel in their service to people in need. This ministry is non-profit, based at St. John’s Lutheran Church, La Grange, Illinois. At least 2/3 of the sale of each package goes to recovery and rebuilding mission efforts.

The first Katrina Christmas Card, also known as the Nativity Christmas Card, successfully raised funds in 2006 for a family in need on the Louisiana Bayou. The following year’s Holly Nativity Christmas Card benefited the GED program of Bayou Grace Community Services in Chauvin, Louisiana and two other Christian Servant groups in their efforts in the Gulf.

One new Christmas card for 2008 features the Christmas 2007 Sanctuary Angels of St. John’s Lutheran Church. The Holly Nativity Christmas Card is still available as well. The Nativity Christmas cards benefit only Bayou Grace and other such Gulf recovery efforts. Another new Christmas card, Christmas Rose, and an assortment of Floral Note Cards benefit Christian missions of mercy in renewal, rebuilding and recovery in the United States and around the world.

Photo above: Father-son partners Jim and Jon Fredrickson of St. John’s work on a house on the Bayous. The two have worked with numerous HOPE Teams and help to manage these teams at St. John’s.

After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005, HOPE Teams from St. John’s Lutheran Church in La Grange, Illinois, began heading south to aid survivors in rebuilding their homes and lives.

In the three years following the hurricanes, St. John’s has sent 18 HOPE Teams of volunteers to the Gulf. Half of those teams have been to the South Louisiana Bayous. St. John’s Lutheran School teachers also have been involved with these HOPE Teams, rebuilding in the Bayou. Friendships have developed between the folks of the Bayou and St. John’s, revealing bonds of Christian fellowship and love.

Please join us in keeping the folks of the Bayou in prayer as they face the frightful hurricane season of 2008. HOPE Teams are responding to destruction from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike severely wreaking havoc on the Louisiana Bayous south of Houma.

We remember with great love and affection Rev. David L. Smith of St. John’s who passed away suddenly on April 7, 2008. Pastor Smith was the artist, along with his son-in-law Andrew Chizzo, of the original Nativity and the Angels featured in our Christmas cards. We are grateful for the images he created that grace our cards and benefit so many in need. He is greatly missed by loved ones and all whom his ministry touched, including dear friends on the Bayou.