Turkey Blessing 2023

/

Editor’s Note: For the past nine years the Men’s Ministry group of Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood has been giving away up to 1,000 turkey dinners, each dinner consisting of a 12 - 16 lb. frozen turkey and a carton of side dishes. Recipients have been people from throughout the St. Louis metro area and beyond, including dozens of immigrant and refugee families. Here Tim Wingenbach tells us more.

Click images to enlarge

When I was little, I loved Thanksgiving! We would head to my grandparents’ house to spend the day with my whole family. We played baseball if the weather cooperated or ping pong in the basement if it didn’t. Either option usually included plenty of laughter, celebration, and sibling arguments. Before dinner, the kids would briefly say something they were grateful for and we all said grace. After that I was allowed to make my own plate…turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, sweet potatoes, and a role all brought together with gravy. The numerous homemade pies were put on display just after dinner and quickly disappeared. It was one of the few days a year my siblings and I were allowed more than one dessert. It was always a great day.

Aside from that moment before dinner, I spent very little time giving thanks or showing my parents a true appreciation for all that we had growing up. I assumed everyone had Thanksgivings like mine, which is a little shocking as I think back on it  We were active church members, always in youth group, participated in service projects, and worked with Feed My People. It really wasn’t until after college and some life experiences that the desire to help others and make a difference became more important to me. Finding the right opportunity to do that can be challenging and a little intimidating, but that’s exactly why the Concordia Turkey Blessing was started.

Matt Schelp is an active, long-time member of Concordia Lutheran Church Kirkwood and was the individual that spearheaded the effort to start our annual Turkey Blessing. The council discovered the church had access to a donation of $25,000 from the Bass Foundation, but they required that the funds be used to help feed the hungry. Through the support of the leaders of our church and this donation, Matt and a group got the ball rolling to create a simple, yet impactful service opportunity for the men of our church. This past Sunday we continued that tradition by distributing 1,000 meals for our 9th annual Turkey Blessing.

The weekend began with a church service and guest speaker, Joe Rangel, giving a powerful sermon on his walk with God after being shot as an IL state trooper. Afterwards, more than 130 men and boys attending the service worked together to assemble 1,000 meals for families in need.  Sunday’s Turkey Blessing was kicked off with a circle of 60 men and boys being led in prayer by 7-year-old, Chase Wehmeyer, who volunteered to do so from atop a stack of pallets.  The next 2 hours were filled with Christians passing out meals and sharing God’s word with those coming through the lines. We ended the event by circling around the family receiving the final meal while Eric Bergantz led a prayer of thanksgiving. The entire event provides all participants an opportunity to see God’s love played out in everyday life.  It’s awesome to witness complete strangers open themselves up to connect with each other and God.

Additionally, this year we had the privilege of providing turkey dinners for 72 CFNA families; more than 350 people. We praise God for this ministry opportunity!

By Tim Wingenbach