Follow Christ’s Lead This Advent Season
Every year, society expects us to celebrate the holiday season even bigger and better than years before. This year, coming together to reclaim Advent and Christmas can be both humbling and fulfilling. As we excitedly await the birth of Christ, it’s important to remember the reason for the season: the newborn Servant of All, the perfect gift.
With Christ at the center this holiday season, we can follow in his example of servant leadership by serving our brothers and sisters in faith. Through the Christmas Joy Offering, we are able to support those in our community and give them the gift of hope.
Gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering help the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions provide critical financial assistance to eligible church workers and retired pastors and their families in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The Christmas Joy Offering also supports the education and development of our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. These schools are dedicated to creating opportunities and environments for students built on a foundation of Christian values. The Offering benefits Menaul School and Presbyterian Pan American School, two secondary schools that ready students for a path of higher learning, as well as Stillman College, where graduates are prepared for lives of leadership and service.
By supporting the Christmas Joy Offering, you share in the hope of Christ and celebrate his leadership by providing support to our church workers, racial ethnic young people, and their families.
Please give generously:
- Through your congregation
- Text CHRISTMASJOY to 91999
- presbyterianmission.org/give/christmasjoy
Mission Team News
-
- Perrysburg Christians United food pantry collection items is soup for December.
-
- Perrysburg Heights Community Association received $424 worth of hygiene and cleaning supplies from the congregation for Perrysburg School students and families last month!
Peace & Global Witness Offering
Total collected was $1146.
The Cocoon received $286.50 from the donations given during this year's special offering!
The following activities were made possible in 2021/2022:
- Mission Meals Program - served almost 900 total meals in 2021. Six MISSION MEALS were served in 2022. Meals are prepared under controlled conditions and delivered to the Elm and Louisiana Houses for distribution. We have kept pace with the ever-changing COVID-19 health restrictions during 2021-22. The congregation helped support this ministry with donated food items.
- COCOON Fall Cleanup – The Mission team organized a yard cleanup project with church members and the Perrysburg community in October 2021 to improve outside “curb appeal” of Cocoon property located at SR 20 & Simmons Road in Perrysburg. This project included trimming bushes/trees, weeding, raking and bagging, as well as, transferring all collected yard debris to recycling facility.
- COCOON “In-Kind” Donations – April 2022 was Sexual Assault Awareness Month! - $113.51
- Good Samaritan Fund – Developed written guidelines for “Good Samaritan Fund” to minister to individuals or families during time of hardship or crisis with temporary assistance for basic needs. During 2021, twelve recipients received gift cards totaling $325 for the year. To date in 2022, 44 gift cards totaling $1,100.
- Coffee Cake Ministry – Developed in 2021, this ministry delivers coffee cake and other treats to church members unable to attend in-person church services.
- PCU Food Pantry Volunteers and Food Donation - First Presbyterian Church joins the area churches in supporting the PCU Food pantry. Pantry hours: Monday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM; Friday - 9:00 Am to 10:30 AM; 2nd Saturday 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. We provide two volunteers on the 4th Monday of each month for "registration". We also support the PCU Food Bank with a monthly collection of food items. The food item donation box is located in the church vestibule to provide members with an easily accessible drop off point.
- Perrysburg Heights Community Association - we collect hygiene and cleaning supplies for Perrysburg School students and families. The donation box is located in the church vestibule to provide members with an easily accessible drop off point.
- Angel Tree - Each year the congregation provides gifts to children in need to support families during the Christmas holiday.
- Marion Medical Mission - This ministry allows communities in Sub-Saharan Africa access to clean water (see below for more information!)
- Cabell-Lincoln County Work Camp - This youth oriented work camp is held in West Virginia and Church has participated for +30 years! (Work camp was cancelled in 2021 and 2022 due to COVID).
- Presbyterian Church USA Special Offerings -
- One Great Hour of Sharing - $1,955 (congregation donation); $2,048 (2022)
- Peace and Global Witness - $1,070 ($820 congregation donation, $250 Mission donation) - $180 sent to local peacekeeping ministry (Cocoon), $890 sent to Maumee Valley Presbytery
- Christmas Joy - $1,210 ($710 congregation donation, $500 Mission donation)
- Other Donations (2021) -
- Backpacks for Humans- $200
- SafetyNet- $300
- Maumee Valley Presbytery offering for larger mission - $2,500
- Perrysburg Rotary Park (inclusive playground) - $250
- Cocoon - $500
- Perrysburg Heights Community Center - $100 towards purchase of plants for the garden
Marion Medical Mission Fundraiser Results 2022
TWELVE (12) villages will be receiving wells! Truly a heartwarming successful ministry!
Total amount donated $5408.00.
Marion Medical Mission Fundraising
(Choose Water Wells- Marion Medical Mission from list)
