CFNA 2014 Christmas Party

Party game

Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) concluded its After School Tutoring (AST) program for the year 2014 with a CFNA Christmas party at Epiphany Lutheran Church on Tuesday, December 16, 2014. A total of 45 students and 22 tutors, as well as the Pastor and Epiphany members, together with other CFNA friends participated in this Christmas celebration.Pastor Michael Ziegler’s message of, ‘The Father welcoming everyone into God’s house through the incarnated Baby Jesus,’ was significant in light of the diversity of children attending the party. Participants from birth nations including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nepal, Bhutan, and India alongside volunteer American tutors demonstrated the ‘community of Christ’ by transcending boundaries and coming together to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In many ways, this celebration gave us a glimpse of the vision portrayed by St. John in Revelation:

“…behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb,… and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Rev. 7: 9-10).

students and tutors

Undoubtedly, the CFNA Christmas party was able to actualize this Biblical vision only because of the commitment and efforts of all our volunteer tutors, drivers, supporters and prayer partners. Our ‘thanks’ goes to them with gratefulness, and likewise also to Village Lutheran Church for providing 45 Christmas gifts. Furthermore, we extend our thanks to Mrs. Mary Marth and the ladies from Historic Trinity for preparing macaroni and cheese for the evening. Our thanks also, to the ladies of Concordia, Kirkwood for their many home-made cookies.

CFNA cherishes the partnership and celebrates this show of Christian love and sharing. It is only because of such commitment from volunteers belonging to LCMS congregations and other Christian friends in St. Louis that CFNA is able to manifest the love of Jesus and share the ‘all embracing’ vision of Christ with our needy New American neighbors.

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year 2015!

Rev. Stanish Stanley (CFNA After School Tutoring Co-ordinator)