Making Room at the Table

Scripture Focus

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Making Room at the Table

At Thanksgiving, there always seems to be room for one more chair. Someone scoots down, another person brings a plate from the kitchen, and before long, there's a place at the table. It's a small thing, but anyone who's ever been welcomed that way knows how much it can mean.

Earlier in November, Veterans Day gives us a chance to thank the men and women who have served in our nation's armed forces. They're our neighbors, relatives, and friends. Some have stories they're glad to tell, and others carry memories they keep close. A sincere thank-you can mean a great deal. So can a phone call a week later, an invitation to dinner, or an afternoon spent listening.

At Servants of Our Lord Ministry, we see that same spirit of care in the people who help put food on tables across Eastern Kentucky. A donor gives what they can. A volunteer loads a truck. A food pantry worker makes sure a family has groceries to take home. Most of those people will never sit down at the same table, but each one helps make the meal possible. Scripture reminds us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

This Thanksgiving, as we bow our heads over the meal, we'll give thanks for our veterans and their families, for the neighbors who share what they have, and for the Lord who gives us opportunities to care for one another. And if someone comes to mind who might be spending the holiday alone, there's still time to pull up another chair. To all who have served, thank you. From all of us at Servants of Our Lord Ministry, may you and your loved ones have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Giving Tuesday: Help Put Food on a Neighbor's Table

As we gather around our Thanksgiving tables, we're reminded how much it means to have a meal to share. This Giving Tuesday, December 1, we invite you to help put food on a neighbor's table in Eastern Kentucky.

Every month, Servants of Our Lord Ministry volunteers load trucks, unload pallets at our warehouse in Clay City, and get food ready for local pantries to pick up. From there, pantry volunteers put that food into the hands of families in their own communities. Your generosity helps cover the fuel and transportation costs that keep those deliveries going.

Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat” (Matthew 25:35, NIV). We think of those words when a truck pulls into the warehouse and volunteers step forward to unload it. It's one way we get to serve Christ together, even when we live miles apart.

This Giving Tuesday, would you consider making a gift to Servants of Our Lord Ministry? You can also help by sharing this article with a friend or praying for the families, pantry volunteers, and drivers who are part of this work. Thank you for helping us serve our neighbors, one delivery and one meal at a time.

Celebrating Partnership and Housing Hope in Beattyville

We are filled with gratitude for the faithful work of the Beattyville Housing Authority. Since its beginnings in 1966, this small but steadfast agency has quietly served Lee County by providing safe, affordable public housing for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. With about 30 units under its care, it has remained a high performer under HUD standards — maintaining homes, supporting residents, and offering a stable place to live in a community that has long faced deep economic challenges. For nearly six decades, its steady presence has helped turn uncertainty into security for neighbors who need it most.

Lee County's need is clear and persistent. Roughly 27.4% of residents — about 1,700 people — live below the poverty line, more than one-and-a-half times Kentucky's rate and more than double the national average. Median household income sits near $37,600, well below state and national figures. In a rural Appalachian county still recovering from the loss of traditional industries, safe and affordable housing is not a luxury; it is a foundation for everything else.

We are especially thankful for Margie and George, who have faithfully served at the housing office for more than 15 years. Their steady presence, kindness, and dedication have been a quiet blessing to so many families seeking help.

What a joy it is that this long-standing housing foundation partners so beautifully with the heart of Servants of Our Lord Ministry. For years we have walked alongside Beattyville families, sharing food, clothing, encouragement, and the love of Christ. When a family has a solid roof over their head, the groceries and fellowship we bring go further. A warm meal tastes even better when the home is secure, and a coat keeps someone warmer when they have a safe place to hang it. Housing stability and practical compassion work hand in hand, and we thank God for leaders and staff who have poured into this community with such diligence, humility, and care. Their work multiplies every box we unload and every prayer we pray.

Please join us in praising the Lord for every safe home, every family supported, every quiet act of faithfulness behind the scenes — including the long service of Margie and George. We are honored to serve alongside these partners as vessels of His provision, watching Him use both housing and hands to meet needs. May He continue to bless the Housing Authority team and every family they touch with strength, wisdom, and renewed hope for the days ahead.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. — Galatians 6:9

Sharing Warmth and Christmas Joy on December 1

As cooler weather settles in, Servants of Our Lord Ministry is preparing for our Christmas Coat and Toy Distribution on December 1. With your help, we look forward to sharing the warmth of winter clothing, the joy of a Christmas gift, and the love of Christ with the families we serve.

We are still collecting coats, toys, gloves, hats, and scarves. A warm coat can make cold days more comfortable, and a toy chosen with care can bring a smile to a child's face. Each donation is a simple, meaningful way to remind someone that they are loved and remembered.

Please consider helping individually or inviting your church, workplace, or community group to collect these much-needed items. Contact Servants of Our Lord Ministry to arrange your donation before the December 1 distribution. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, we are grateful for the opportunity to share His love through practical acts of kindness.

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. — Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV)

Ministry Needs

Prayer partners: Please lift up the food pantries, the dedicated volunteers, and the families who receive God's provision through this ministry. Pray also for our leaders, that they would be guided clearly by His will.

Financial partners: Prayerfully consider a monthly donation to help sustain this work. Every dollar given goes directly to providing food to families in Eastern Kentucky. Donations are tax-deductible, and we are a registered 501(c)(3) organization.

Fuel partners: Fuel is one of our largest expenses. Every gift helps keep our trucks on the road and food moving to those who need it most.

The ministry operates solely on individual donations and the help of volunteers. To help with monthly food distribution or arrange a Christmas donation, contact us at info@servantsofourlord.com or (859) 363-6421. Gifts may also be mailed to P.O. Box 224, Lexington, IL 61753.

Prayer Requests

• Pray for our upcoming Christmas coat and toy distribution.
• Pray for the homeless as colder weather settles in.
• Pray that our monthly volunteers stay warm and safe while working in the cold warehouse.
• Pray for Hugh at Powell Homeless Coalition as he faces health issues.
• Pray for Josh (PCDC inmate) as he rebuilds relationships with his family.
• Pray for safe travels as cold and snow set in.