Christmas…Beyond Ourselves

Operation Christmas Child

Today we kick off Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, the international relief organization headed by Franklin Graham. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has distributed over 61 million gift-filled shoe boxes to needy children in 138 countries—children who have suffered the effects of war, poverty, disease and natural disaster. Last year 540 of those boxes came from FFC!

So, what difference can one small box make to a child who desperately needs so much? Your gift can bring love, joy and hope in the midst of the most desperate circumstances imaginable. It brings a message to a child that says “I am loved.” While the toys and gifts are a wonderful expression of kindness, Operation Christmas Child is ultimately about sharing much more. It is about offering a true and lasting treasure—the message of God’s greatest gift to mankind through His Son Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 18:16 says “A gift makes way for the giver…” and that has proven true with shoe box gifts. Shoe boxes open the door for local churches to share the Gospel message, distribute Bible study materials, and offer follow-up discipleship programs to children who receive the shoe boxes and to their families. Entire communities have been introduced to the love of Jesus through this ministry. Over and over shoe box distributions have been welcomed in countries that are otherwise closed or hostile to the Gospel.

Packing a shoe box can be fun for anyone, whether as part of a family or as an individual. Pick up a shoe box and brochure at one of the tables today and follow the simple instructions. (Yes, our own Larry Jones has pre-wrapped over 600 boxes, so you won’t have to fuss with wrapping paper and tape!) Remember to include $7 or more to cover shipping costs. Return your completed box by Sunday, November 16.
For more information (and inspiration!) about Operation Christmas Child, visit www.samaritanspurse.org or contact Mary Tesser in the Children’s Ministry office at 255.2122.

Show Your Love

1. Pick up a pre-wrapped shoe box (or provide your own) and Operation Christmas Child brochure
2. Pack a shoe box
3. Complete envelope found in brochure and enclose in shoe box with $7 or more to cover shipping costs.
4. Attach shoe box label found in brochure
5. Return completed shoe box to the church by Nov. 16. Three weeks from now!

Questions?
Contact Mary Tesser, , 255.2122.

Shoes for Oakridge Kids

Our second Christmas project will be Shoes for Oakridge Kids. We will be providing tennis shoes for needy children who live in the Oakridge apartments here in Des Moines. On Sunday, November 23, Christmas trees decorated with paper shoes will be displayed in the church foyers. Each shoe will have the name and shoe size of an Oakridge child. You will have the opportunity to either shop for shoes for that specific child or provide funds to purchase shoes for a child.
Perhaps you’ve been thinking of cutting back on Christmas contributions this year? While these may be uncertain financial times, we as Americans still have been blessed abundantly more than most of the world’s population. As Christians, we can be making investments in the lives of children—investments that won’t fluctuate with the stock market and will have huge eternal returns. So, have a Merry Christmas…and pass it on!