Week 1: Hope of Faith

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Mission Waco Logo


This holiday season First Hewitt is strategically partnering with several local and global organizations to tangibly share the love of Christ! One of those organizations is Mission Waco and the Christmas Toy Store. 

 

As you know, shopping for Christmas presents can be a stressful time for low income families. The Toy Store provides these families with an easy way to “shop” and provide for their children in a way that might not normally be possible. Our church is going to help in 2 ways. 

 

  • First, we will be collecting toys from the 2021 Toy List. These toys will be collected at the church through Nov 31st and sent to Mission Waco.  
  • Second, on December 2, we will have an opportunity to go work in the Toy Store from 3 PM - 6 PM. We will sort toys, stock, and assist as needed. We’ve committed to provide 20 helpers at the Toy Store! If you’d like to volunteer at the Toy Store, please call Gayle in the church office (666-2741). 

You can visit their website for more information.

WEEK 2: PEACE

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LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING


Charlotte Diggs “Lottie” Moon was born on December 12, 1840. 


Just before Christmas of 1858, Lottie Moon was converted.  As she was pursuing vain things, God’s grace broke into her heart.  By God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, she was born again. Lottie was a Southern Baptist missionary to China with the Foreign Mission Board.  She spent nearly 40 years (1873-1912), living and working in China. 


At age 72, Lottie Moon was called back to the United States.  She lived in harsh conditions which included famine, war and plagues.  She was generous to the end, giving all the food and funds she had for famine relief.  She died of starvation and dementia aboard the ship on Christmas Eve, 1912, having never married. 


Today, we still give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering in honor of her work and sacrifice to keep our missionaries on the field. One hundred percent of the offering goes to the missionaries, none to administration. 


There will be a Lottie Moon Post Office set up in the Senior Adult Building (behind the worship center foyer) beginning on Sunday, December 5th.  This is the place you can mail your Christmas cards to those in our faith family.  Simply put your Christmas card in the appropriate pocket that corresponds to your last name.  Then put the postage amount in the offering container.  All offerings will then go to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.  You can check the slots in the Lottie Moon Post Office each week to retrieve your cards.  This is an excellent way to exchange Christmas cards to those in our faith family and at the same time, contribute to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.


Visit their website HERE for more information.

Waco Family Abuse Center


The Family Abuse Center offers a free, safe and confidential place for adults and children to begin to experience life without violence.  Their professional staff listen, advocate and provide moral support to all those seeking their services. They offer counseling, transportation help, job and life skills education, and more. 


For adults, they are able to provide emergency shelter along with general services such as case management, counseling, support groups, an array of legal services and assistance with housing.  


For children, they are able to provide emergency shelter for children and their parent along with services such as case management, assistance with school related arrangements or concerns, counseling, therapeutic and educational groups and enrichment activities for the parent and child while at the shelter to strengthen family relationships. 


Currently, they are only accepting donations of: 

  • Cleaning Supplies: disinfectant, paper towels, laundry soap, toilet cleaner and brush

  • Bedding: Twin size fitted sheets and comforters

  • Hygiene Supplies: Hygiene products, toilet paper, toothpaste, deodorant, hair products, etc. 

  • Children: Umbrella strollers, baby walkers, potty training toilets, autism and ADHD sensory toys

  • Diapers: all sizes (5-6 low in stock) 


You can find more information this and other efforts by the Family Abuse Center on their website or through their Facebook page. See their Holiday Helpers 2021 post below.