“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 22:35
One of the great gifts of being part of this “community of faith” is experiencing people being God’s hands. That is serving others. We have a rich tradition of service in our congregation. Whether it is unloading pumpkins, straightening the church pews, hosting coffee hour, teaching Sunday School, pulling weeds, counting offering, praying for others, knitting prayer shawls, stuffing envelopes, cooking meals, the list is endless! All year long people give of themselves be it through time, talent or treasure.
The month of October has historically been a time when we focus on mission. It begins with the arrival of the pumpkins and carries through to our culmination of our food pantry drive. Sandwiched in between are our collections for Neighbors in Need and Bread for the World. We live out Jesus’ great commandment of loving our neighbors, both near and far.
For children, there is no better way to learn about the importance of serving others than by seeing it modeled through adults, and working alongside them. Community service not only provides for the community but it builds the community within.
However, mission work is incomplete without its sibling, social action. Collecting food for the food pantry is an example of missions. Educating the community about the face of hunger, and working to end hunger is social action.
This month we are challenging our Journey to Adulthood class to social action. They will not only be promoting our food pantry drive, but they will be learning more about food insecurity and hunger in our world, and locally here on Cape Cod. They will simulate how food security is measured, attempt to purchase groceries on a SNAP (food stamps) budget, define our role as Christians in fighting hunger and food insecurity. They will also be speaking to you in worship in a “moment for mission”, before the offering each week. On the 9th, they will help sort and box the food collection for the Harwich and Chatham Food Pantries.
We’d like to share this video with you that was aired on the Cape Cod Chronicle’s website last year. Featured in the video is Ruth Campbell, who provides our lunches and snacks at Bible camp from the Lower Cape Outreach. It gives a good sense of the issue of hunger on Cape Cod.
One of the great gifts of being part of this “community of faith” is experiencing people being God’s hands. That is serving others. We have a rich tradition of service in our congregation. Whether it is unloading pumpkins, straightening the church pews, hosting coffee hour, teaching Sunday School, pulling weeds, counting offering, praying for others, knitting prayer shawls, stuffing envelopes, cooking meals, the list is endless! All year long people give of themselves be it through time, talent or treasure.
The month of October has historically been a time when we focus on mission. It begins with the arrival of the pumpkins and carries through to our culmination of our food pantry drive. Sandwiched in between are our collections for Neighbors in Need and Bread for the World. We live out Jesus’ great commandment of loving our neighbors, both near and far.
For children, there is no better way to learn about the importance of serving others than by seeing it modeled through adults, and working alongside them. Community service not only provides for the community but it builds the community within.
However, mission work is incomplete without its sibling, social action. Collecting food for the food pantry is an example of missions. Educating the community about the face of hunger, and working to end hunger is social action.
This month we are challenging our Journey to Adulthood class to social action. They will not only be promoting our food pantry drive, but they will be learning more about food insecurity and hunger in our world, and locally here on Cape Cod. They will simulate how food security is measured, attempt to purchase groceries on a SNAP (food stamps) budget, define our role as Christians in fighting hunger and food insecurity. They will also be speaking to you in worship in a “moment for mission”, before the offering each week. On the 9th, they will help sort and box the food collection for the Harwich and Chatham Food Pantries.
We’d like to share this video with you that was aired on the Cape Cod Chronicle’s website last year. Featured in the video is Ruth Campbell, who provides our lunches and snacks at Bible camp from the Lower Cape Outreach. It gives a good sense of the issue of hunger on Cape Cod.
About this month’s missions…
About Bread for the World
Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. Moved by God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ, we reach out to our neighbors, whether they live in the next house, the next state or the next continent. By changing the policies and conditions that allow hunger to persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities in which we live.
Ways to help:
About Neighbors In Need
Neighbors in Need is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion through the United States. The 2014 theme for NIN is “Imagining Another World Where Literacy is No Longer a Concern”.
Ways to help:
About the Chatham Children’s Fund
Along with private monetary and in-kind donations, the organization provides shelter needs, clothing, and services to families in need in Chatham.
Ways to help:
About the Chatham & Family (Harwich) Food Pantries
These pantries are non-profit, non-denominational organizations dedicated to serving the needs of the less fortunate of Cape Cod by providing food and clothing (Harwich) to the needy. The Chatham Food Pantry is located in St. Christopher’s Church. The Family Pantry is located on Great Western Road in Harwich
About Bread for the World
Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. Moved by God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ, we reach out to our neighbors, whether they live in the next house, the next state or the next continent. By changing the policies and conditions that allow hunger to persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities in which we live.
Ways to help:
- Give a special offering to Bread for the World on or before October 26th.
- Participate in their Offering of Letters to Congress. For more information visit www.bread.org/offering
About Neighbors In Need
Neighbors in Need is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion through the United States. The 2014 theme for NIN is “Imagining Another World Where Literacy is No Longer a Concern”.
Ways to help:
- · Give a special offering to Neighbors in Need on October 12th.
About the Chatham Children’s Fund
Along with private monetary and in-kind donations, the organization provides shelter needs, clothing, and services to families in need in Chatham.
Ways to help:
- Work the pumpkin patch
- Buy your pumpkins at the patch
- Contribute to the Dove Trees at Christmas
About the Chatham & Family (Harwich) Food Pantries
These pantries are non-profit, non-denominational organizations dedicated to serving the needs of the less fortunate of Cape Cod by providing food and clothing (Harwich) to the needy. The Chatham Food Pantry is located in St. Christopher’s Church. The Family Pantry is located on Great Western Road in Harwich
- Contribute food to our food drive
- Contribute food year-round (receptacle in the breezeway)
- Help box, sort and deliver the food.
- Volunteer your time at the food pantries.
