OCTOBER MISSION
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 

 
    ​ A project of the international relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child is our mission for October.  It’s purpose is to provide partners around the world with shoe boxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies.  These boxes are then sent around the world and onto Native American Reservations with the Good News of Christ.  These gifts are shipped to children affected by war, poverty, natural disasters, famine and disease.  While it’s important that we continue to pray for these children, the Christmas boxes provide a tangible contact with God’s love and care through His people.  The boxes are often the first contact they have with Christianity, and these small gifts have resulted in children and their families becoming Christians. 
 
     Last year we filled nearly 50 boxes.  Please plan to take at least one box to bring the love and joy of Christ to these children.  Shipping costs are $9 per box, and it would be helpful if you could place this — marked for this purpose— in the offering plate rather than in the box.  This would allow for one check to be written from the church.  If you would like to contribute but are not able to shop for a box, you may do so by writing a check to JUMC and marking OCC on the memo line, or placing any amount in a collection envelope and marking it for OCC. 
 
     We will be distributing and collecting the boxes during the month of October.  Boxes and detailed information about what to put in them will be available in the Narthex beginning October 1.  Boxes must be returned by November 4.  Thank you for your generosity.