Members of First Presbyterian Church exhibits Christ’s love through worship, education and service year around. We live out our mission of service in bold and generous ways during the weeks leading to Christmas. This year was no exception, and three initiatives are proof of your generosity and love.
FPC has helped to bring Christmas joy to children in foster care in Davidson County since 2002. Through the Comfort and Joy project, church members made Christmas a time of joy for nearly 1,200 children since 2002 who have been unable to spend the season with their families. This year, FPC responded to the need by sponsoring 130 infants through 18-year-olds. Church members received a wish list for a child and purchased — the Christmas gifts listed, allowing these kids to know that a large, loving community our church family — cares for them.
FPC responded with such enthusiasm to Comfort and Joy that we covered the children needing a sponsor. Undeterred, a dozen church members were designated Eleventh-Hour Shoppers who shopped for young people who entered foster care close to Christmas.
Another FPC tradition of holiday giving was celebrated in an abundant way this year. Our members participated overwhelmingly in Stuff a Stocking. Church leaders each year provide empty Christmas stocking to willing members who fill them with gifts and goodies for children as a supplement to the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree campaign for needy children.
FPC members picked up 550 stockings to fill for the kids this year, some taking several stockings for their Bible studies, book clubs, offices and others to fill as a group. The toy-laden stockings quickly surrounded the church lobby Christmas tree and later overjoyed children. The FPC Confirmation Class added the finishing touches by traveling to the Salvation Army facility, sorting the stockings and Angel Tree gifts collected at area malls, and distributing the gifts to families.
Gift-gathering for both Comfort and Joy and Stuff a Stocking by church members took less than a month from start to finish. Joy to the world!
Finally, it’s cold outside. Throughout November, the Youth staff and leaders of the 5:30 worship service addressed the needs of winter’s brrr by collecting coats for refugees and immigrants who, otherwise, would be unprepared for the season’s change.
If success is gauged by numbers, we’re out of luck. However, indications of this ministry’s overwhelming effectiveness are piles of nice coats distributed to now-warm bodies.
First Presbyterian Church and the recipients of this church family’s generosity are grateful for all who participated in these three examples of Christ’s love.
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