First Baptist Pawnee: 2009 Shoebox Gift Collection

100! One hundred is an exciting number, but let me begin with a disclaimer. Matthew 6:3 (NIV) says "...when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." So, I want my audience (all 2-3 of you who click over here :)) to know that I try to balance a Biblical attitude towards giving with a general intent to inform our church body of the final outcome of a ministry effort. And that leads me to another disclaimer - we won't know the final outcome of what these boxes will accomplish in the hearts and lives of children and their family for a long time - perhaps we will not know this side of heaven. Suffice it to say that these shoebox Christmas gifts are tools for ministry, gateways to evangelism, and a delight to needy children in impoverished nations.

So, returning to the lead line. 100! 100! One hundred is an exciting number. We've all been to the high school basketball game where the home team plays a sub-par team and you hope you can 'hit 100.' Well, in this case, one hundred shoeboxes is an exciting final count and an answer to prayer. It is a testimony to the generous and giving spirit of FBC Pawnee when it comes to missions projects. Thank you, church, for allowing me to lead in this effort.

2009 Pawnee FBC 'Operation Christmas Child' Pack N Party

This is a preliminary report on the inaugural Pawnee FBC 'Operation Christmas Child' Pack N Party.



We packed corporately 17 boxes for 5-9 year old girls, and 16 boxes for 5-9 year old boys.

We then watched "St. Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving" - the new Veggie Tales movie which is thematically tied in to the ministry of 'Operation Christmas Child.'

We anxiously await the addition of the other boxes that individual, families, youth groups, and Sunday School classes will bring in this weekend.

Pawnee OCC Pack N Party

The Pawnee 'Operation Christmas Child' Pack N Party is:

Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, 2-4PM
Fellowship Hall of Pawnee First Baptist Church

We will begin by packing 30-40 boxes assembly line style, and then join watching a new Veggie Tales movie that is thematically tied in to Operation Christmas Child.

Got questions? Here are some frequently asked ones:

1. What movie will be shown?

2. What is a Packing Party?

3. I missed some of the announcements and deadlines. Can I still help?

4. I have packed my own boxes. My family has packed our own boxes. When do we turn those in?

Operation Christmas Child at Pawnee OK: Can I Still Help?

Some members or attenders of Pawnee First Baptist Church may ask:

"I meant to help, but I have been very busy this season. Can I still help?"

Answer: Yes! Here are some important ways:
1. Pray. Pray for the recipients of the gifts, their families, and their home villages and countries. Pray that they will be receptive to the Gospel message.
2. Give. The 30-40 boxes our church will pack as a cooperative effort do not currently have a mechanism to pay for the shipping costs incurred. Samaritan's Purse asks for a $7 donation for each box to cover this. As you can see, we will need $200-280 to cover this.
3. Pack a box anyway. If you're reading this before Nov 22 or 23, you've got a little time left.
4. Prepare for next year. Recommended contents for OCC shoebox gifts are often on steep seasonal discounts. Watch for summer sales on school supplies, bulk sales on hygiene items, seasonal clearances on children's clothing. Stock up and help us help kids next year.

Shoebox Collection Sunday is Here

A Reminder to the Faithful Members of First Baptist Church, Pawnee, OK:

Please bring your Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to the church on the morning of Nov. 22, 2009. They will be loaded into a vehicle for transport to the regional collection center in Stillwater, OK, on Monday, November 23.