Serving Others

Here are some photos from the recent Senior High trip to Operation Christmas Child:

The following is an article from EFCA Today, Winter 2008/Volume 82
Issue 4, written by Jose Skinner

Homelessness is a constant problem in Reno, Nevada’s homelessness per capita is twice the national average. Some homeless people stand on off-ramps holding signs asking for help. As Christ - followers, what do we do?

Here’s one option: Give them a Manna Bag. It’s a Ziploc bag filled with some daily essentials for those in need - kept in your car for such an occasion. It’s not enough to last them a month, but it might be just enough to get them through the day, like God’s gift of manna to the Isrealites. Most recipients are grateful and suprised that you’re giving them your “lunch.”

This past spring our EFCA church plant (Coram Deo) packed enough bags for each family to have two - one to keep, one to give to a neighbor. Soon, people were asking when we would make more, so we’ve decided to pack these during our potlucks four times a year.

Manna Bags address a real frustration. We are committed to serving the city twice a month (washing cars for free, serving at the AIDS Walk), but homelessness overwhelms us because of the tension between wanting to give to those in need but being concerned about how money might be spent. Most of us were frozen into action, but Manna bags have freed us to act.

Why Manna Bags?
They are an alternative to doing nothing.
They won’t solve the greater problem of hunger, but it is something you can do for one person right now.

What Goes In A Manna Bag?
bottled water, food
socks, gloves
toothbrush/thoothpaste
soap
social-services information
phone card (check the dollar store)
note of prayer

Thank you to all the women who participated this fall in our Women’s Ministry Bible Studies. We had a blast, as we hope you did! Here are some photos from our end of the semester Christmas parties this week:

Tuesday Morning:

Wednesday Evening:

Click here for a full list of our 2009 Bible Studies and to register today!

Women’s Ministry will also host a one-day seminar on how to study the Bible called In Word Focused, on Tuesday, January 6 and Wednesday December 7.
Click here to register for the Tuesday morning session.
Click here to register for the Wednesday evening session.

Bring your family to Planet Kidstuf this Sunday for our Christmas party! Join us in the Gym at 11:00 a.m. for our special Christmas production of Planet KidStuf, where we will explore the virtue of generosity with the story of God’s greatest gift ever - JESUS. You’ll hear the Christmas Story in a whole new way, plus sing Christmas Carols with a special guitar-led time of praise.

After Planet KidStuf, parents are invited to keep their children with them and stay for our Planet KidStuf Christmas Party.

Planet Kidstuf is a year-long program that offers children a place to sing and dance their priases to God. We are in the Gym every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. After the Planet Kidstuf service, children meet in small groups based on their gender and age, and further discuss the monthly virtue. Parents are encouraged to gather in the Gym at this time for fellowship with each other through our Parentstuf.

If you would like more information on Planet Kidstuf or Children’s Ministry, contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Here are some photos from our fun last week!