Each December, Lakeview participates in Angel Tree which is a Prison Fellowship program that connects parents in prison with their children through the delivery of Christmas gifts. Our church volunteers purchase and deliver gifts and the Gospel to children in the name of their prisoner-parent.

This year we have the privilege to work with thirteen children from seven families in Tioga County.  Please consider being a part of this year’s ministry by purchasing a gift.  Starting November 26th, pick up an angel from the tree in the back of the sanctuary and return the suggested gift by December 17.  You can also help deliver gifts the week before Christmas by contacting the church office and letting us know you would like to help or signing up at the information table in sanctuary.

In 2023, Lakeview was assigned 26 families with children aged 1-17 years old. Over the past 21, years Lakeview has delivered hundreds of presents to more than 300 children from over 120 families.  Working together we are making a difference…one gift at a time.

The Process

• Receive Angel Tree Names: Each fall, Lakeview receives the names of children who were signed-up by their mom or dad in prison.  These families are contacted and possible gifts are discussed.  We usually purchase 2-3 gifts per child as well as providing an age appropriate bible to the child.
• Display Angel Tree Name Tags: Just after Thanksgiving we hang angles on the tree in the sanctuary.  Each angel represents one gift for the child.  The gifts are usually due back in 2-3 weeks.
• Gift purchase and delivery: Lakeview Chapel attendees choose one or several angels from the tree. They then purchase and wrap the gift returning it within 2-3 weeks.  After all the gifts are received, the families are contacted and arrangements are made to deliver the gifts while the children are present. The delivery team hands out the gifts and takes time to read the story of the birth of Christ from the Bible and in the process shares the Good News of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection.

The Costs and the Benefits

The cost of participating in Angel Tree is minimal, approximately $15-25 per gift.  The rewards, however, are priceless.  We get the opportunity to minister to a parent in jail, the caregiver at home, and most importantly to the child.  We get the blessing of being the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus as we minister to the “least of these.”  In doing so we Connect to God, Connect to People and Connect People to God.

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew 25:40