Operation Christmas Child
The shoeboxes we packed last fall will be distributed in Madagascar and a Hard to Reach Area. Madagascar is an island nation off the east coast of Africa. A Hard to Reach Area is a region where the Gospel is unknown or a place where it may be dangerous to teach about Jesus.
Samaritan’s purse has been distributing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes in Madagascar since 1993. Since 2010, shoebox recipients have been invited to join The Greatest Journey, the follow-up course developed by Samaritan’s Purse to encourage and equip young disciples of Jesus.
When we close the lid of a shoebox we have filled, our job is not finished. Please continue to pray for the children who will receive our gifts. Pray that the contents of their shoeboxes will meet their particular needs or wants and that the children will become followers of Jesus.
Collection week for 2021 may seem a long way off, but we need to begin preparing now. The following are some ideas for your participation:
- Donate Christmas cards you received that have religious pictures.
- Donate used or extra calendars that have pictures of animals or natural scenes. (Pictures will be used to decorate the inside of shoebox lids.)
- Save coins in a medicine bottle. (Money collected will be put toward the shipping donation. Coins may be placed in the container by the offering plate. Empty medicine bottles are available in the foyer.)
- Purchase WOW items when you find bargains.
- Make a donation toward the purchase of items in bulk.
- Build, knit, sew, crochet, craft… gift items.
Thank you for the many ways in which you have supported Operation Christmas Child. I look forward to serving in this ministry with you in the New Year!
Blessings! Mary Lou
Giving Envelopes: 2021 envelope boxes can be collected on the foyer table. If you don’t have a box assigned to you, take an unaddressed box and let Lewis Youmans know the number on the box (youmans@nycap.rr.com)
Year End Financial Statement summary:
Total income: $117,684
Total expense: $130,005
Budgeted: $128,931
If you’d like a report with categories or budget, ask Pastor Jeff. A 2021 budget is also available.
Directory Update- you can check the details on the foyer copy and edit anything by January 17th.
Consistory Meeting, January 14th
2021 Consistory (and term ending)
Elders: Sarah Bramer (2021) , Jonathan Meredith (2023), Mary Lou Ryan (2024)
Deacons: Allison Coons (2021), Kathy Jenkins (2022), Tracie Anteman (2023), Leslie Hooper (2024)
Consistory continues to monitor the COVID situation.
The local case numbers have gone up in the last month: +47% since 11/25, and the last 14 days (1/6-12/24) are 18% of the total cases since March (for an average of 16/ cases day over last 14 days). Hospital capacity is within a few percentage points (2-5%) of the State promising more restrictions. While we are confident that what we are doing keeps us safer, there may come a point where we need to stay home. We will communicate with email and the website with any change of plans.
In the meantime, we look forward to when we can get together again more normally. Take time to check in with neighbors and friends.