Churches spread holiday cheer — plus food and toys — to people in need

Jeff Payne, pulpit minister for the Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland, Texas, stands in a toy wonderland during the congregation’s “Pack the Pulpit with Toys” Sunday. (PHOTO BY DENELL DENNIS)

Children at the Saturn Road Church of Christ had their eyes locked on the pulpit during Sunday morning worship on Dec. 8.

Of course, there were hundreds of toys on stage for the Garland, Texas, church’s “Pack the Pulpit with Toys” Sunday.

“The response was so overwhelming, the pulpit was literally overflowing with Christmas cheer,” said church member Denell Dennis. “This Saturday, Dec. 14, we are planning a toy giveaway. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the love of Jesus with children and families in our community.”

Across the nation, Churches of Christ sponsor similar events to help people in need during the hectic holiday season.

On Dec. 15, the Thomaston Road Church of Christ in Macon, Ga., hosts its annual Christmas CARE (Caring, Answering, Reaching, Encouraging) event for the Middle Georgia community.

Here’s more information about the event from organizers:

Santa visits participants in Christmas CARE, sponsored by the Thomaston Road Church of Christ in Macon, Ga. (PHOTO PROVIDED)

Each December the congregation collects groceries for at least 100 families in the Macon area. Last year, around 100 families were given bags of groceries, gallons of milk and a ham. In conjunction with the food, families who have children are given wrapped Christmas gifts. About 200 wrapped toys were handed out in December 2012. The congregation plans to do even more this year. Each year Santa also pays a special visit to the event.

Throughout the evening of giving, songs are projected on a huge screen. Families can sit back and enjoy some hot chocolate and baked goods as they fellowship with the members of Thomaston Road. Ultimately, the goal is show, by our giving, the example that Christ gave us by giving up so much so that we could be saved (John 3:16). Christmas CARE is a fantastic event every single year and it does impact so many families in middle Georgia. Please continue to pray for the success of this ministry.

• In Duncan, Okla., Love in Action, a ministry of the Eastside Church of Christ, makes aprons out of holiday themed fabric to take to nursing homes. This year, the group wasn’t able to purchase fabric, the Duncan Banner  reports , so students involved in the work wrote grant applications to the local Lions Club to get funding.

• Members of the Round Rock Church of Christ in Texas made Christmas cards to send to missionaries supported by the congregation.