Week of December 7
December 7th is National Letter Writing Day. Take time this week to send a hand written letter to someone. This ‘old fashioned’ way of communicating shows thought and care in ways that a simple card, text or email do not.
Week of December 14
On Sunday, December 14, we will collect the Christmas Joy Offering. Each year during the Advent and Christmas season, we lift up past, present, and future leaders of the church. God has blessed the church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported by their communities as well. This Offering provides support for Presbyterian church workers and their families in their time of need and leadership development and education for communities of color at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. 50% supports the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, which provides critical financial assistance to current and retired church workers and their families in their time of need. 50% supports Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color to provide education and leadership development.
Week of December 21
While collecting canned goods is helpful, most food banks can get more cans per dollar than the average consumer. We will be taking up an offering to help the local Chattanooga Food Bank.
Week of December 28
We will be collecting preschool books for donation to the Newton Center.
Week of January 4
During worship we will have time to reflect on the star words we each received last Epiphany and how they impacted our spiritual journey through the year. We will also receive our star words for this coming year.
Week of January 11
Undue Medical Debt is able to retire the debilitating medical debt that burdens many families. We will collect a special offering for this week. Each $1 donated allows them to abolish at least $100 in medical debt. www.unduemedicaldebt.org
Week of January 18
We will collect socks and blankets to assist Doing What We Can Homeless Outreach. www.dwwcho.org
Week of January 25
We will have a chili cookoff to celebrate the end the of our 50th Anniversary Year. It will be a time for fellowship as well as to look at the ways God is calling us into the next 50!
One of the most exciting ways we are celebrating our 50th Anniversary is with our 50 for 50. The Session is organizing 50 service opportunities as a way for New Hope to celebrate its first 50 years of living out our mission of "Growing together in faith, love, and service." Each week starting February 2, we will highlight a specific act of service. You are encouraged to get involved each week. There will be opportunities on Sundays to share our experiences.