2 Exciting Opportunities

PCC's main mantra is "Ordinary people making a difference--together." When you look in the Bible at the people God used to make a difference, you don't just see professional ministers or educated pastors. You see ordinary people, ordinary people who have made themselves available to whatever God wanted them to do. In Acts 4, we read how the world was impressed by Peter and John, "for they could see that they were ordinary men who had no special training. They recognized them as men who had been with Jesus" (4:13, NLT).

PCC is a small church, but I believe we can make a big difference this Christmas. We are asking everybody (adults and children) to get involved with 2 exciting outreach efforts:

(1) Operation Christmas Child--Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God's love. This program of Samaritan's Purse provides an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ. For more info, you can check out their website: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC.asp.

(2) Making a Difference Christmas Offering--Over the holiday season, we are also encouraging people to give to a special offering that will help spread the Good News about Jesus Christ to a world in need. The greatest problem around the world is spiritual emptiness. Therefore, most of the money received for this special offering will go to support missionaries and their work around the world--especially in places where there are no churches.

I have no doubt that God will use our work and our giving to make a difference around the world. People of all ages, backgrounds, and professions can participate in these causes. Please don't let these God-given opportunities pass you by during this season of giving. And remember what our Savior said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35, ESV).