Following their Art Show Fundraiser, the Christian Education Committee tithed 10% of what they raised, in the amount of $55 to cover some of the shipping costs of CWS kits.  Since funds were needed at the time of shipping, checks were written from both the General Fund and the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund.  The Discretionary Fund still needs to be reimbursed in the amount of $186.

I am proud to serve such a generous and compassionate church.  Thank you for responding.  I thought, “We can do that!”   and We Did It!! Thanks be to God.

Blessings,       Rebecca

Soon, you will have an opportunity to offer your gift to Week of Compassion, empowering Disciples’ relief, refugee and development fund, meeting basic needs in Christ’s name throughout the world, and sharing resources that strengthen people to improve their own lives and communities.  Soon, each of us will decide how to respond to Jesus’ question, “Do you love me?”

The members of the family of God — from those we know to distant sisters, brothers, and cousins in parts of the world we may never visit — are God’s flock, the sheep of God’s pasture (Ezekiel 34:31). Yet, God’s flock is often forcefully scattered and stalked, as people are chased from their homes and livelihoods by brutal expressions of war, as communities and futures are blasted by natural disasters, as societies and countries are ground down by unrelenting hunger, disease, and poverty.

Jesus calls us to tend his sheep caught in these situations of deep need. And with love and energy, the Church responds!Through Week of Compassion,

• disaster victims quickly receive shelter, food, water, and medical supplies.

• local communities develop secure sources of food and clean water.

• minds and bodies grow stronger with new schools and medical clinics.

• refugees receive housing and long-term help to construct new lives.

In challenging times, we often wonder how much we can afford to sacrifice to help feed Jesus’ beloved sheep, when our needs remain pressing. Perhaps only our prayerful conscience can answer that. But remember the feeding of the 5,000: when Jesus asked the disciples to feed the thronging crowd, the disciples despaired (Mark 6:34-44). The five loaves and two fish seemed insignificant compared to the massive need. Yet when each gave sacrificially from what they had, through God’s blessing, their gifts turned into a miracle of compassion for all.

Through Week of Compassion, our gifts meet compelling needs, while also bringing the blessing of compassion into our own lives. The current economic situation is challenging for many of us. For many others, it has pushed beyond challenging to be life-threatening. I intend to increase my gift this year, and encourage you to consider doing so, also. Heed Jesus’ call to feed his sheep with a generous, even sacrificial, gift to Week of Compassion. Sharing your resources, you will change lives — including your own.  We will receive the Week of Compassion Special Offering on February 21^st and 28^th—or at any time of the year you wish to give.  Thank you for your generosity.

Blessings,    Rebecca

To assemble a Hygiene Kit you will need:

1) One hand towel measuring approximately 16″ x 28″ (no fingertip or bath towels), 2) One washcloth, 3) One wide-tooth comb, 4) One nail clipper (no metal files or emery boards), 5) One bar of soap (bath size in wrapper), 6) One toothbrush (in original packaging), 7) Six Band-Aids®, $2.00 for processing each kit

Please do not add toothpaste to the Hygiene Kit. Toothpaste that has an extended expiration date will be added to Hygiene Kit shipments just prior to shipment. Seal all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure.

To assemble a Baby Kit you will need:

1) Six cloth diapers, 2) Two T-shirts or undershirts (no onesies), 3) Two washcloths, 4) Two gowns or sleepers, 5) Two diaper pins, 6) One sweater or sweatshirt, 7) Two receiving blankets (one can be a hand-knitted or crocheted baby blanket), $2.00 for processing each kit

All items should be new. Wrap items inside one of the receiving blankets and secure with both diaper pins.

When I first put out the call to make kits, I didn’t realize that we needed $2.00 for processing each kit (the cost of shipping from CWS to Haiti).  Some money came in for shipping costs and I have sent that to Western Reserve CC to help them cover costs for shipping to CWS.  A check written from the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund was sent with our kits to cover the processing costs in the amount of $166. I’m hoping that some of you can donate to reimburse that fund.

We currently have odds and ends for more baby kits to be assembled.  We need more cloth diapers, especially.  Diaper pins have been challenging to find, but some of you have not rested until they have been found.  If you want to do Baby Kits, DON’T BUY DIAPER PINS!  We have lots in the church office now.

Monetary gifts for Week of Compassion have been coming in as well and a check for over $400 is being sent in the mail to them today for Haiti Relief.  Others have made donations to Week of Compassion through their website, www.weekofcompassion.org which is also a great way to donate and you can specify that you are a member of First Christian of Kent.

Thanks so much for your generosity and response.  Keep it up!  Blessings,

Rebecca

Doors will open for new experiences, new adventures with the Lord.

Remember not the former things,  the things of this past year.

The Lord will do new things in us, much more than we are aware.

For He will make a way for us, as we put our trust in Him.

And He will guide our every step, by His presence we have within.

What God has placed within our hearts, we find we’ll be able to do.

If we look for the opportunities, we’ll see the door to go through.

We mustn’t let anything hold us back,

but rise up and take our place.

And be all that God wants us to be, with a fresh touch of His grace.

By M. S. Lowndes

What joy it brings to journey to Bethlehem!  We know the rest of the story about that Baby and the world-changing, life-saving ministry that began at that manger, but we always have a sense of wonder every year as we think about going to Bethlehem again.  We know in our hearts that all parts of our church long for the renewing joy that can come to us.

As we make our way to Bethlehem this year, may we remember with gratitude those who keep company with us every week in our faith journey…our regional pastors.  It is wonderful to know that we are not alone as we seek ways to serve God.  As pastors and congregations, we are glad for the company of our regional pastors…

~ when we search for a minister in times of transition in the life of our church.

~ when we look for encouragement in designing mission work that will help others.

~ when we engage in teaching the great story of Bethlehem and the life of Jesus Christ, and all the faith stories that help shape our lives of faithful living.

~ when we seek advice in our relationships and ministries so that we can work well together.

~ when we pray for one another and the world.

We enter a Holy season, when we have the opportunity to give gifts.  Let us be generous in our offerings and gifts that will uphold and sustain our regional pastors.  They continue to support us at every turn.  We are grateful for their work, and we give thanks that we are given the invitation to share.

Together, let us run toward Bethlehem!  Word of new life awaits us there.

Below is part of a letter from Lin Barnett and Tom Kern regarding the Special Offering:

As your Regional Elders for District III, we are writing to encourage you to vigorously support this year’s Christmas Offering.  As you probably know the Ohio Regional Church is experiencing deep financial problems. The economic recession has resulted in a serious reduction in the monies being contributed by Disciples churches and individuals in Ohio.

The Regional Church has already had to cut expenses by trimming compensation packages and reducing services.  To continue to provide for the needs of our congregations, clergy, missions and Camp Christian, we face a critical need to increase the available funds.

The annual Christmas Offering is designated for use in Ohio only.  Offerings will be received on December 13^th, 20^th and 27^th.

The Angel: The term “angel” is derived from the Greek word angelos which means “messenger.” In texts where an angel appears, the task of the angel is to convey the message or do the will of the God. Since the focus of the text is on the message, the messenger is rarely described in detail.

The angel’s function as messenger or agent of God is acted out in proclamation, revealing the will of God and/or announcing key events. An angel announced to Joseph that Mary would have a child. Mary received a special messenger who told her that she would have a son and name him Jesus because he would save the people from their sins. At the end of time, the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

The Poinsettia: In the early part of the 19th century, an American who served the United States as an ambassado, spent a tour of duty in Mexico. He admired the dramatic beauty of the bright red poinsettia that grew rooftop high and bloomed profusely at Christmas. He was awed when Mexican Christians told him why the bright red poinsettias were a part of their celebration of the birth and life of Christ.

In Mexico, the story goes like this: The Bethlehem star shone over the manger where Jesus was born. Its light so bright the earth responded, reflecting that starlight, receiving that starlight, and mirroring it in a beautiful flower. Star shaped, radiant shaped, pure white petals, golden star center. It was always the Flower of the Holy Night.

It grew on earth as a creation to glorify and commemorate that Holy Night. “For the stars shout forth the glory of God.” On the tragic day when Jesus died on the cross, the blossoms changed. Pure white petals became the color of blood to remember the sacrifice of Jesus. The poinsettia reminds us of the Holy Night which points to Good Friday.

The Star: Probably the most intriguing of all the stars mentioned in Scripture is the star of Bethlehem. Scripture does not name the star. It is one of many miracles that attest to the power of our God and is similar to the pillar of fire used to demonstrate God’s presence and might to the children of Israel as they made their way to the land of Canaan.

In the final book of the Bible the Lord Jesus is called “the bright and morning star.” The star we have is a six-pointed star, commonly called the star of David. God promised David that his throne should stand forever. In Jesus Christ, God fulfills this promise.

Blessings, Rebecca

Check us out often as we will be adding new content. Hope to see you on Sunday.