Christmas in July 2010

It may be 100 degrees and humid outside, but inside FCC, it's been Christmas for the last couple of weeks! Walking into weekend worship services, I’m sure you no doubt wondered why there were Christmas trees all around the gym. 

It’s Christmas in July! Last year, FCC collected many food items and pairs of shoes to go to Salem City Elementary Schools. This year, we took a leap of faith and expanded! We collected food items, socks and shoes for both kids and adults, school supplies and gift cards and other random things. The response was phenomenal! 2,692 total items were collected to go to Acts2 Ministry in downtown Roanoke, the Roanoke Rescue Mission, and Salem Elementary Schools.

After counting and sorting for the last two days, I would like to report on the generosity of FCC’s church family. The following items were collected-

CRACKERS- 110 BOXES

CEREAL BARS- 110 BOXES

POPTARTS- 166 BOXES

SHOES- 62 PAIR (kids) & 7 PAIR (adult)= 69 PAIR TOTAL

SOCKS- 51 PACKS

FRUIT SNACKS- 112 BOXES

PEANUT BUTTER- 132 JARS

CHEF BOYARDEE- 314 CANS

GIFT CARDS- $400 TOTAL

CALCULATORS- 29

PACKS OF PAPER- 97 PACKS

FOLDERS- 46

BINDERS- 62

NOTEBOOKS- 314

DIVIDERS- 70 PACKS

BACKPACKS- 86

GLUE STICKS-218 PACKS

BOTTLES OF GLUE- 43 BOTTLES

PENCILS- 253 PACKS

ERASERS- 32 PACKS

COLORED PENCILS- 75 PACKS

HIGHLIGHTERS- 32 PACKS

PENS- 11 PACKS

RULERS- 19

PENCIL SHARPENERS- 4

PENCIL BOX- 11

SCISSORS- 68 PAIR

CRAYONS- 158 BOXES

I spent most of this morning helping the different organizations load up all of their new items into their trucks. The response was one of great gratitude.

Salem schools were grateful to know they can depend on local believers to help those in need.

Acts2 was simply overwhelmed and as we loaded their truck kept making comments such as, “God is good!” and “Praise Jesus for His provision!”

The Rescue Mission loaded their big truck and thanked us for our support of their ministry. On the initial week of Christmas in July, the Rescue Mission's CEO spoke to our church family and gave many thanks for all of the support God has provided over the years.

I am excited to say that God is moving in the heart of this church to make a difference in our community and all around the world! I feel blessed that I can be a part of such a family.

Thank you, Fellowship, for all you to do reach outside of the church and into the world.

Thank You, Lord- for all that You do to provide for us so that we may love others like You love us.  May we continue to serve You faithfully.