Being God’s Hands 

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, was a stranger and you welcomed me. ~ Matthew 25: 35-36.

Kirkland Elementary Partnership

Lakeside UMC will become good Samaritans to the teachers, students, and families of Kirkland Elementary, helping them thrive socially and economically and impacting students’ future learning potential.

Kirkland Elementary Reading Challenge 

This initiative is designed to fuel a love for literacy by celebrating student progress with exciting, tangible rewards. We partner with Kirkland Elementary to encourage students to reach new milestones, turning every “level up” into a moment of achievement.

How the Challenge Works

  • Earning Entries: Every time a student “levels up” their reading, they receive a raffle ticket.

  • The Drawing: Students place their tickets into a raffle for a chance to win significant prizes.

  • Semester Celebrations: Prize drawings are held at the end of each semester to honor the hard work students have put into their reading throughout the term.

Incentives That Inspire

We strive to provide gifts that spark creativity and promote an active lifestyle:

  • Fall Semester: We provided an art kit for every class, fostering creative expression across the entire school.

  • Spring Semester: The stakes are raised with a grand prize drawing for two bikes per grade—one for a boy and one for a girl.

By providing these incentives, we aren’t just giving away prizes; we are building a culture where reading is celebrated and every student is motivated to reach their full potential.

Blessings Box/Free Library 

Located on 66th Street in front of the Church, this little box supports the homeless, the neighborhood and anyone experiencing food insecurity. Church and neighborhood volunteers stock the box weekly. Non- perishable food items and book donations to the Blessings Box are appreciated at any time.

Helping Hands Fund 

The Helping Hands Fund, is an outreach of Lakeside United Methodist Church. It combines ministry and mission by offering short-term assistance to help those with short-term crisis and unexpected needs who are unable to find other means of support. Gifts are received from special offerings during communion in worship and other specified donations. Congregation members and those beyond the congregation are eligible to receive funds.

 

Community Clothing Closet

Our Community Clothing Closet will be open the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 9am to 12:00 noon.

Suggested price of items will be a donation to the church Missions programs @ $0.50 per item – $1.00 per shopping bag.

The goal is to share with others in need (our neighbors, those who live in areas near the church).

Come Check out the closet: February 14 & 28, March 14 & 28, April 11 & 25, May 9 & 23, June 13 & 27, July 11 & 25

Helping Hands Bags

Helping Hands Bags is a hands-on outreach ministry designed to foster human connection and provide tangible support to those experiencing homelessness in the Oklahoma City area. We recognize that many people want to help when they encounter someone in need but may feel uncertain about giving cash . This program equips our congregation to respond with a curated “hand-up” that addresses immediate physical needs while offering a pathway to local services.

  • What’s inside? Braum’s gift cards, bus passes, seasonal items, and resource sheets.

  • The Impact: A simple “hand-up” that fosters human connection and awareness.+

Pick up your bags at the church today! Remember to be mindful of traffic and your surroundings during distribution.

 

Valentines for Blankets (Jan & Feb)

We encorage people to Purchase  a Valentine supports the Church World Service (CWS) Blanket Program. Blankets are distributed to people in the U.S. and around the world as a kind and loving response to someone facing a difficult time. Valentines are $5.00 each and can be purchased from Church World Services or by contacting the church office.

Circle of Care/Pearl’s Hope (May)

Circle of Care is a faith-based agency providing foster care and prevention services throughout the state of Oklahoma. We collect diapers, baby clothing and other needed baby items to support their programs. Donations can be dropped off at the Church.
Call the Church office for times.

CareShare (Nov-Dec)

CareShare is a holiday adoption program that connects low-income Putnam City students with generous holiday gift adopters. Each recipient family is vetted by our professional counselors.  We successfully sponsored 20 children through the Putnam City Foundation’s CareShare program. Your dedication to being the “very best Santa” possible will bring immense joy to these families. We are truly a part of a caring 

Skyline Food and Clothing Drive (Jul)

Skyline is on a mission to service those living in the shadows of our community by bridging the gaps in their resources with kindness and respect.  Food and clothing donations can be dropped off at the Church during March.
Call the Church office for times.

Warm Fuzzies (Mar & Oct)

We collect new and gently used stuff animals to donate to the Oklahoma City Police Department to provide to children and adults in traumatic situations to keep as their own. The Warm Fuzzies are blessed and presented to the Police Department. If you would like to donate a stuffed animal, contact Patti Koch 405.730.6611.

Back to School Bash (Fall)

A community cookout.

Truck or Treat

A community event with games and goodies.

Cookies for Kairos (Spring & Fall)

Volunteers donate funds, dough and bake cookies.  John then takes dozens of cookies to the Joseph Harp Correctional Center in Lexington providing a tangible expression of God’s love during their Love, Love, Listen, Listen Prison ministry. Donations for cookie dough are appreciated.

Reading Challenage at Kirkland Elementary

This initiative is designed to fuel a love for literacy by celebrating student progress with exciting, tangible rewards. We partner with Kirkland Elementary to encourage students to reach new milestones, turning every “level up” into a moment of achievement.If you are interested in helping, contact Susan Parker, 405.740.7987.

Regional Food Bank

We volunteer as a group again this year at the Regional Food Bank. We sort and pack food. There are standing and sit-down jobs available.

 

Easter Egg Hunt

A community event the Saturday before Easter. 

Whoever gives to the poor will have what they needs, but the one who shuts their eyes to the plight of the poor will face curse after curse.

~ Proverbs 28:27  (VOICE)