{"id":30846,"date":"2022-10-15T13:58:09","date_gmt":"2022-10-15T17:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=30846"},"modified":"2022-11-14T10:14:32","modified_gmt":"2022-11-14T15:14:32","slug":"operation-christmas-child-is-coming-8-16-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=30846","title":{"rendered":"Operation Christmas Child is Coming! (11\/6\/22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Operation CHRISTMAS Child… in August?!?\u00a0 Isn’t it a\u00a0 bit early to be thinking about that???\u00a0 Well…not really….<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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All over the globe (and even in our own back yard), parents can’t afford to give their kids Christmas gifts.\u00a0 But here in PUMC,\u00a0 most of us are able to help out.\u00a0 It might only be August, but it’s never too early to start praying for these families and to start planning for the box (-es) of toys that you can put together for this important mission project.<\/p>\n

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It’s Not too Early…<\/span><\/h3>\n

Each year PUMC congregants fill shoeboxes with gifts which are sent to Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child.\u00a0 The items that are usually stuffed into the shoeboxes are small things.\u00a0 Stuff\u00a0 like small toys, combs, pencils, crayons, notebook paper, school supplies. \"\"<\/p>\n

School Supplies…<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pretty soon,we’ll be\u00a0 inundated with ads for “Back to School Sales.”\u00a0 Notice that some of the “prime stuffing items” for an Operation Christmas Child box will soon fill the “back to school sale” shelves of many stores.\u00a0 Things like Paper, pencils, and crayons will soon be plentiful and inexpensive.\u00a0 August might not be such a bad time to start thinking of Operation Christmas Child afterall!<\/p>\n

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When this announcement was posted, Operation Christmas Child was a long ways off. But…. time passes and the time has arrived! <\/span><\/p>\n

Boxes are available in the Narthex. Take an empty box, fill it (using the instructions in the box), and return it by November 6, 2022.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

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It’s Needed…<\/span><\/h3>\n

A shoebox may be the only Christmas gift a child receives. More importantly, most shoeboxes are distributed by local churches during programs which may be the first time these children hear the Good News that Jesus loves them and so do we.
\nOperation Christmas Child delivers shoebox gifts to needy children in 95 countries by whatever means necessary: plane, ship, truck, cart, bicycle, or raft.\u00a0 \"\"<\/p>\n

Please consider making a hurting child smile and feel hope and joy. Shoeboxes will be available at the Welcome desk, or use one of your own. Gifts can easily be purchased at your local Dollar Store. Take your child\/grandchild with you to help select gifts for a less fortunate child. This is a fun project and you will be blessed.<\/p>\n

Basic gifts may include:\"\"<\/p>\n

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  • Personal care items; comb toothbrush, soap<\/li>\n
  • School Supplies; crayons, paper, pencils<\/li>\n
  • Small toys<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    More information will be included in the October Steeple Notes (our church newsletter).<\/p>\n

    =\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 =\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 =<\/span><\/p>\n

    For more information on Operation Christmas child, check out the post about last year’s collection:<\/p>\n

    Operation Christmas Child Blesses Families in 2021 (11\/14\/21)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n