Picture the school book fair. Students gather outside the library, waiting for the signal to go in. Their eyes widen, their steps pick up speed, and for a moment the world feels impossibly bright. You can almost see their imaginations catch fire as they scan the shelves, already dreaming about the stories waiting for them.
But I also know—because teachers have told me, and because I’ve seen it firsthand—that for some children, that excitement is tinged with something quieter and heavier. Not every child brings money to spend. And if you’ve ever watched a child try to look enthusiastic while knowing nothing will be coming home with them, then you already understand why our Bucks for Books ministry matters so much.
Four years ago, as a congregation, we made a promise: every student at Northwood Elementary, our neighborhood school, should be able to choose a book of their very own. Not just those whose families can afford it. Not just those who happen to be sponsored. Every single child. So each year, Emmanuel provides book fair vouchers—one for each student, no questions asked. It’s a simple act, but it carries a quiet, Christ-shaped power.
Because the truth is this: books shape lives. When a child owns a book, something shifts. They begin to see themselves as readers. Their vocabulary grows. Their confidence grows. Their world grows. Books help children imagine what’s possible, and sometimes they help children imagine a future different from the one they see today.
And beyond all the educational benefits, something even more profound happens. When a child walks out of the library clutching a book they chose—something that belongs to them—they feel valued. They feel seen. They feel included. And that feeling, in its own way, is holy.
As a pastor, I often think about how Jesus welcomed children—how he blessed them not because they were impressive or powerful, but because they were beloved. Our Bucks for Books campaign is one way we live out that same embrace today. It is our way of saying, “You matter. Your curiosity matters. Your story matters. Your future matters.”
I am deeply grateful to everyone who gives to make this ministry possible. Your generosity becomes joy in the hands of a child. It becomes pages turned at bedtime, conversations with parents, new worlds discovered, and confidence slowly taking root.
This is the kind of ministry that quietly transforms a neighborhood, a community—perhaps even the world. It tells the truth about who we are as a church: people striving to love our community the way Christ first loved us, to live out God’s love in real and tangible ways.
Thank you for helping make Bucks for Books possible again this year. Thank you for caring for the children of Northwood. Thank you for believing that every child deserves a chance to read, imagine, and dream—because every child is precious in God’s sight.
The 2025 Bucks for Books campaign ends on Sunday, November 30th. We are well on our way towards our goal of 350 book vouchers. You may join in our generosity by giving online HERE, choosing “Special Gift,” and noting “Bucks for Books.” Thank you!